Search Results (418)

Dog parks are widely used recreational spaces for human–dog interaction, yet there is little empirical data about how surface materials influence dogs’ behavior and welfare. This study evaluated dogs’ behavior on three surfaces commonly used in outdoor dog recreation areas. Ten dogs (N = 10) participated in ten structured play sessions in an experimental area with unrestricted access to all surfaces. The testing area consisted of a 12.2 m² playground divided into nine plots of equal size. Each plot was randomly assigned a surface material (i.e., natural grass, stabilized grass, or artificial turf) in a 3 × 3 block design. Environmental and surface temperatures were recorded in each session. Dog behavior was recorded during a pre- and post-play period and measured using a 10 s scan sampling technique. In addition, surface characteristic measures were collected throughout the study to evaluate differences in their tolerance to weather conditions and usage. Artificial turf consistently reached a higher temperature (25.2 °C; 95% CI: 24.5–25.8 °C) than natural (19.4 °C; 95% CI: 18.7–20.1 °C) and stabilized (20.0 °C; 95% CI: 19.3–20.6 °C). In this study, the artificial turf reached temperatures as high as 63.8 °C while, under the same environmental conditions, the surface temperature of both natural turfgrass treatments remained below 40 °C. During the pre-play period, dogs showed more active than passive behaviors on the stabilized surface (35.03%; 95% CI: 30.58–39.80%) compared to the natural (27.86%; 95% CI: 23.94–32.10%) and artificial turf (23.31%; 95% CI: 19.81–27.20%). During the post-play period, activity levels decreased across all surfaces, while the occurrence of passive behaviors increased and was observed more frequently on the natural turfgrass surfaces (27.30% on stabilized and 15.52% on natural) than on artificial turf (2.41%). Artificial turf was less affected by dog traffic and seasonal changes; however, its surface was harder than both natural turfgrass treatments. The addition of the stabilizing grid failed to reduce soil compaction as anticipated. Overall, dogs spent more time on both natural turfgrass surfaces than artificial turf. However, a potential confounding effect of location could have influenced dog behavior. Nonetheless, our findings show that dog owners should be cautious when using artificial turf areas when environmental temperatures are above 25 °C when the turf temperature is above the safety threshold for burn injuries. These findings highlight the importance of carefully selecting surface materials for outdoor dog spaces to ensure dogs’ safety and comfort. Full article

Shelter dogs may experience long-term environmental and social stressors that can affect their behaviour and welfare. Some individuals show reduced activity, low responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and limited interaction with their surroundings. This pilot study investigated behavioural patterns and allopregnanolone concentrations in shelter dogs exhibiting these behavioural characteristics. Ten shelter dogs were enrolled and divided into two groups: five dogs showing depression-like patterns and five matched control dogs. Each dog wore a three-axis accelerometer for 30 days to quantify activity levels. Behavioural observations were conducted using video recordings, and hair samples were collected at baseline and after 30 days to assess allopregnanolone concentrations as a potential stress marker. Dogs in the case group showed significantly longer resting time than controls (p ≤ 0.05), indicating reduced activity levels. Trends toward lower levels of exploratory and social behaviours were also observed, although the differences were not statistically significant. Allopregnanolone concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 4.6 pg/mg and showed considerable inter-individual variability, with no significant differences detected between groups. These findings provide preliminary evidence of behavioural and physiological alterations in shelter dogs displaying depression-like patterns. However, further studies with larger populations are needed to validate these findings and improve welfare assessment in shelter environments. Full article

New Zealand working farm dogs can struggle to maintain their body weight and condition during periods of high workload, despite substantial energy intake, highlighting the need to optimise energy balance. One potential strategy for reducing overall energy demands is to reduce energy expenditure for thermoregulation, particularly during colder conditions, which may improve both recovery and energy utilisation. This study investigated whether wearing coats influenced the sleep behaviour, activity, and apparent nutrient digestibility of outdoor-kennelled dogs. Eight adult working-breed dogs (n = 8) were studied using a randomised cross-over design, in which dogs wore a coat or no coat during overnight periods (15:00–09:00 h). Behaviour was monitored using triaxial accelerometers and classified using a validated machine learning model, while apparent nutrient digestibility was determined from pooled faecal samples. Dogs spent more time sleeping when wearing a coat compared to no coat (48.1% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.008), with the effect being most evident during cooler evening hours. Time spent resting and being active was reduced when coats were worn (p < 0.05), while overall activity did not differ (p = 0.856). No differences were observed in apparent digestibility of energy or nutrients (p > 0.05), although protein digestibility tended to be higher when coats were worn (p = 0.079). These findings suggest that coats can improve sleep behaviour, likely through improved thermal comfort. While this study was conducted in research dogs under relatively mild temperature conditions, the results indicate the potential welfare and functional benefits for working farm dogs. Full article

With the development of the pet industry, public attention to pet food safety and nutritional health has been continuously increasing. Postbiotics were initially defined as inactivated microorganisms or microbial cellular components that confer health benefits to the host. Compared with probiotics, postbiotics possess superior safety and stability. They can effectively eliminate the potential risk of horizontal transfer of drug-resistant genes carried by live bacteria, and also feature better manufacturability and storage performance. At present, most research on postbiotics has focused on humans and large domestic animals, with relatively few applications in dogs and cats. This indicates that further research on postbiotics in canines and felines is still needed to better promote their practical application in promoting pet food health. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current research status of postbiotics, focusing on their potential benefits and mechanisms for pet health. It proposes that future studies should concentrate on in vivo experimental validation to clarify the safety, optimal dosage, and specific functions of postbiotics in companion animals. Such research will offer a scientific basis for the application of postbiotics in pet food formulations, ultimately promoting the health and welfare of pets. Full article

Canines exhibit various behavioral abnormalities, such as excessive barking, destructive behaviors, and indoor defecation when left at home alone. Identifying these abnormal behaviors and implementing scientific and reasonable interventions can help improve canine welfare and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and companion animals. However, existing canine behavior recognition methods struggle to adapt to the characteristics of strong temporal continuity and uneven motion amplitude of abnormal behaviors exhibited by lonely dogs, resulting in inadequate temporal feature representation and low recognition accuracy. Therefore, this study developed a TP-CanineNet model based on a Weakly Supervised Video Anomaly Detection (WS-VAD) framework to address this issue. The model integrated a Temporal Context Aggregation (TCA) module to efficiently capture local–global temporal dependencies and suppress temporal noise, and further enhances the representation of temporal features in dog behaviors. Meanwhile, a Pseudo-Instance Discriminative Enhancement (PIDE) module is adopted to strengthen the feature distinction between abnormal and normal behaviors. We constructed an Alone-Dog dataset comprising 430 video samples and 60 ground-truth labeled samples to validate the model’s effectiveness. Experimental results showed that the proposed model achieved a frame-level AUC of 85.19% and an AP of 72.55%, representing improvements of 2.20% and 8.33%, respectively, over the baseline model. The method can provide intelligent detection of domestic dog behaviors when left alone at home. Full article

Preoperative anxiety may compromise perioperative welfare and anesthetic management in dogs. This randomized, blind clinical study evaluated the effects of oral tasipimidine on anxiety-related behaviors, handling quality, cardiovascular variables, anesthetic requirements and recovery in dogs undergoing elective ovariectomy. Thirty ASA I dogs were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 10). Treatment groups received tasipimidine (30 µg/kg PO) 45 min before admission, followed by morphine (0.3 mg/kg IM) combined with dexmedetomidine at either 2.5 µg/kg (GTa) or 5 µg/kg IM (GTb). Control dogs (GC) received an oral placebo followed by dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg IM) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg IM). Anxiety was assessed using the Clinic Dog Stress Scale (CDSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Reactivity Evaluation Form (REF). Handling quality was assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and recovery quality using the Simple Descriptive Scale (SDS). Tasipimidine significantly reduced anxiety-related behaviors compared with controls, with lower CDSS (5 [0–10] vs. 13 [3–19]), VAS (4 [2–7] vs. 6.5 [2–9]), and REF scores (1 [1–3] vs. 2 [1–4]) (p < 0.05). Handling quality improved significantly in treated dogs with lower NRS (1 [1–2] vs. 2 [1–4]; p = 0.003). Preoperative heart rate was lower in tasipimidine-treated dogs (85 ± 19 bpm) than in controls (127 ± 23 bpm; p < 0.001). Recovery agitation requiring dexmedetomidine rescue sedation occurred in 30% of treated dogs versus 60% of controls. Propofol and fentanyl requirements did not differ significantly among groups (p > 0.05). Tasipimidine improved anxiety-related behavioral scores and handling quality in dogs; however, its cardiovascular effects and perioperative role warrant further investigation. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is a recognised risk factor for dermal haemangiosarcoma (HSA) in dogs and dermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in dogs and cats. These tumours cause substantial local disease and often require repeated surgery due to recurrence or de novo lesions, creating a notable welfare and financial burden. Research on preventing harmful UV exposure in pets is still in its infancy, particularly in relation to the safety of UV filters used in sunscreens. This review summarises the current evidence on UV-induced carcinogenesis, strategies to reduce UV exposure, and the safety of sunscreen ingredients in dogs and cats. UV light is strongly implicated in a range of dermatoses, from actinic keratosis to dermal HSA and SCC in dogs and cats, and the risk is likely higher in Australian pets. Indoor confinement during peak UV periods, shade, and sun-protective clothing can reduce exposure, with sunscreen an additional strategy. Sunscreen is relevant because UV-associated cancers typically develop in sparsely haired or hairless regions such as the nose and ventrum, making these areas suitable for targeted sunscreen application. Sunscreens containing non-nanoparticle zinc oxide appear safe for dogs and cats when ingestion is prevented or minimised, whereas the safety of organic UV filters remains unclear due to limited safety data in both humans and animals. Non-nanoparticle titanium dioxide is a possible alternative to zinc oxide and organic filters, but there is currently little information on its safety when ingested by dogs and cats. Overall, the available evidence supports sunscreen as a necessary component of UV-reduction strategies in pets, but substantial research is needed to determine the safety profiles of different UV filters and to establish evidence-based guidelines for their safe use. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Animal hoarding is a recognized form of animal cruelty characterized by the accumulation of animals under conditions of inadequate care, leading to compromised welfare and an increased risk of disease transmission. Veterinarians are often the first to identify such cases through clinical presentation. This case report describes a forensic investigation of a dog associated with animal hoarding and environmental neglect in Bangkok, Thailand. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old male mixed-breed dog was presented with seizures, emaciation, dehydration, and ectoparasite infestation. Hematological findings revealed leukopenia and anemia, and diagnostic testing confirmed infection with canine distemper virus (CDV) and Dirofilaria immitis. Despite supportive treatment, the dog died within 48 h. A subsequent site inspection, conducted using the TRACE model and based on crime scene investigation principles, identified 13 dogs housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Environmental assessment revealed poor sanitation, waste accumulation, and fluorescent stains of unknown origin detected under ultraviolet light (365 nm) in the cage areas. Among the animals, infections with CDV (23.08%), Dirofilaria immitis (53.85%), and Ehrlichia canis (61.54%) were identified, indicating a high burden of infectious and vector-borne diseases. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the value of integrating clinical veterinary findings with forensic investigation in the assessment of animal neglect. The combined use of clinical, laboratory, and environmental evidence strengthens documentation and supports potential legal action. Enhanced veterinary forensic training and standardized protocols are recommended to improve early detection and intervention in animal cruelty cases. Full article

Owning a pet dog provides significant mental and physical health benefits for humans. However, undesirable canine behaviors may result in bite or scratch injuries, leading to infection risks, psychological consequences, and potential dog abandonment. This study hypothesized that specific human–dog interactions are associated with unwanted canine behaviors and may increase the risk of injury in humans. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of dog-related bite and scratch injuries; assess dog owners’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and evaluate their associations with specific interaction patterns. Data were collected through an online survey of dog owners in Thailand. Most respondents were young women with a bachelor’s degree, residing in Central Thailand, and owning a single dog. Interactions associated with increased injury occurrence included grooming; administering medication; removing food or toys; interrupting dog fights; and close physical contact including petting, hugging, and kissing. Injuries in strangers were most commonly triggered by entry into the dog’s territory. Younger owners (18–34 years) were at increased risk, particularly during grooming and frequent petting. General awareness of rabies, bacterial infection, and wound management was adequate. However, there were still misconceptions about dog behavior. These findings highlight key risk factors and support targeted educational interventions to reduce injuries and improve animal welfare. Full article

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira, with a wide global distribution. In Ecuador, leptospirosis is endemic, particularly in low-resource tropical areas, and multiple animal reservoirs have been identified either in rural or urban areas, including stray dogs. In this study, a total of 81 domestic dogs presenting clinical manifestations compatible with leptospirosis were recruited at the Municipal Center for Animal Welfare in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2023. A survey regarding clinical, demographic, and environmental risk factors was filled in by every dog’s owner; urine and blood samples were collected for pathogenic Leptospira diagnosis by qPCR for lipL32, rrs, and secY gene targets. A very high (62.96%) positivity rate for Leptospira infection was found. Almost 90% of the dogs were not vaccinated against Leptospira. Although the animals exhibited multiple clinical signs, none showed a statistically significant association with Leptospira positivity, confirming the nonspecific presentation of the disease and its potential for misdiagnosis. The consumption of bulk food emerged as a significant environmental risk factor only in the multivariate logistic regression and not in the univariate analysis, suggesting the need for improved food safety practices. Moreover, we reported very frequent close-contact behaviors between owners and dogs. Overall, our study underscores the potential role of owned urban dogs as reservoirs of Leptospira in the city of Guayaquil in Ecuador, emphasizing the need for public health policies to increase awareness and improve diagnosis in domestic animals under a comprehensive One Health vision. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dog tethering remains a common containment practice in several regions despite increasing concerns about its implications for animal welfare. This study aimed to assess veterinary professionals’ perceptions in Portugal about the impact of dog tethering on canine health, behavior, and welfare, as well as their views on its regulation. Methods: An anonymous, structured questionnaire was distributed online to veterinary professionals to collect data on clinical exposure to chained dogs, observed health and behavioral outcomes, and attitudes toward criminalizing the practice. Results: A total of 331 veterinarians participated, of whom 71.9% reported encountering chained dogs during their professional activities, particularly in rural areas. Most respondents perceived the tethering conditions as inadequate, particularly regarding freedom of movement and the fulfillment of behavioral needs. Frequently reported consequences included alopecia at the restraint site, poor muscle condition, physical injuries, fear-related behaviors, reduced socialization, and increased aggression. Preventing escape was identified as the primary perceived motivation for tethering. The majority of veterinarians supported some degree of criminalization, particularly when welfare impairment was evident. Conclusions: These findings reflect veterinary professionals’ perceptions of the welfare risks associated with prolonged tethering and underscore the need for integrated strategies combining regulation, education, and accessible, humane containment alternatives. Full article

In March 2018, seismic events associated with rock salt mining in Maceió, northeastern Brazil, led to the emergency relocation of families from risk areas, resulting in increased companion animal abandonment. This study assessed the association between systematic monitoring and environmental education and the reduction in abandonment during these relocation processes. Between March 2018 and September 2020, 567 animals were recorded in affected households, of which only 245 (43.2%) were relocated with their guardians. In response, the Integra Animal Project was implemented, integrating environmental education, continuous monitoring, sanitary management, and population control. By December 2024, 2559 households and 6673 animals had been monitored. A substantial reduction in abandonment and escape rates was observed over time, with abandonment decreasing from 56.8% to 5.45%. Cats showed significantly higher escape rates than dogs (chi-square test). These findings suggest that integrated strategies combining monitoring and environmental education are associated with improved animal retention during disaster-driven relocation, supporting their relevance for animal welfare, public health, and One Health approaches. Full article

Dogs’ societal roles have shifted globally. In private spheres, dogs are increasingly regarded as family and granted legal protections, but in public, they are framed as dangerous and subjected to increased legal restrictions. Changing perceptions of dogs and differences in the law’s beneficiaries may influence how people develop legal knowledge. Where enforcement is limited or challenging, legal knowledge becomes an important component of the law’s capacity to shape behaviour. Using the United Kingdom (UK) as a case study, we examined people’s knowledge of 22 laws, divided between UK-wide current laws, nation-specific laws, and plausible hypothetical laws representing high-priority issues. We conducted a nationally representative survey with 1758 participants, split equally across the four UK nations. We first conducted exploratory model-building to identify variables associated with knowledge and then analysed these variables using multinomial models. Accurate legal knowledge among the UK public was limited, with participants frequently overestimating the existence of laws that prioritise dogs and their owners. Dog owners responded with greater certainty but not greater accuracy than non-dog owners. Older participants were more accurate overall, while responses to hypothetical laws suggested generational differences in views on animal welfare. These findings suggest gaps between the law in reality and what people assume the law to be. Full article

There is growing interest in vegan and vegetarian (veg*n) diets for dogs and cats, due to factors including pet health, environmental sustainability and farmed animal welfare. Such diets should be carefully designed and manufactured in order to be nutritionally sound. Digestibility is a key, although not the only, determinant of this, and it has sometimes been claimed that dogs and cats cannot effectively digest and utilize plant-based proteins. To evaluate this claim, studies assessing canine and/or feline digestibility of veg*n diets and ingredients were analyzed. Thirty-one studies were included: 22 specific to dogs, two specific to cats, and seven applicable to both species. Across various study designs, populations, digestibility metrics, dietary ingredients and processing methods, digestibility values of veg*n diets were consistently high and broadly comparable to those of conventional meat-based diets. In all five studies that assessed apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of veg*n pet diets, ATTD values exceeded 80% (dry matter), 85% (organic matter), 80% (crude protein), 89% (fat), 88% (nitrogen-free extract), and 86% (energy). These studies also indicate that individual vegan protein sources can be well digested by dogs and/or cats, including those derived from legumes (such as soy-derived ingredients), pulses, grains and microbial fermentation. Discrepancies exist regarding whether these ingredients are more, less or equally digestible compared to animal-based alternatives. Nevertheless, even in studies where vegan protein sources showed lower digestibility for specific nutrients, overall digestibility remained high. These findings support the use of nutritionally sound veg*n pet diets. Such diets are not normally significantly less digestible than conventional meat-based diets. Full article

Veterinary students’ perceptions of animal welfare are shaped by both educational exposure and individual background, with direct implications for future clinical decision-making. This study evaluated 157 ninth-semester veterinary students enrolled in a Deontology and Veterinary Legal course at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) across six academic years (2019/2020–2025/2026), excluding 2020/2021 due to pandemic-related teaching modifications. Participants completed a structured, previously published questionnaire assessing twelve common dog welfare issues on a 5-point Likert scale, subsequently grouped into five dog welfare dimensions. Students consistently prioritized overt and severe dog welfare concerns, including abuse or active cruelty, lack of treatment to prevent suffering, and malnutrition, while assigning lower importance to breed-related conditions and behavioral problems. Significant differences across academic years were identified for seven items and all dimensions, revealing temporal variability in dog welfare perception between cohorts. Gender and student background also influenced responses, with female and exchange students generally assigning higher scores to selected issues. These findings suggest that the perception of dog welfare is not static but varies between cohorts across academic years and is shaped by sociocultural factors. Strengthening veterinary curricula to address less visible and socially normalized dog welfare problems may be critical to ensuring comprehensive and ethically grounded professional practice. Full article