Articles tagged with Dogs
A new study found that certain aspects of a teenager's relationship with their pet dog are associated with healthier ways of coping with peer-related stress. Companionship and caring for the dog were linked to positive coping styles, while feeling emotional support from the dog was less likely to be associated with healthy thinking.
A recent study revealed that dogs process smiles in a unique brain region and can distinguish between negative facial expressions, including anger, sadness, and fear. This ability allows researchers to understand the adaptations that have developed in dogs to support their social and emotional understanding of humans.
Research reveals that selective breeding and training have altered brain pathways related to vocal processing and cue interpretation in dogs. Trained service dogs show stronger connections between communication-related brain areas, suggesting trainability can be predicted by brain connectivity.
Research reveals how dogs developed specialized forms in response to human needs, such as compact sled dogs for Arctic regions and lean hunting dogs for tropical forests. Genetic adaptations also emerged to cope with oxygen-poor air at high altitudes, mirroring human populations' genetic traits.
Researchers are studying foul-smelling substances to understand what attracts the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, to its favorite meal - open wounds. The goal is to develop better lures for trapping this serious threat to the livestock industry.
Researchers discovered specific microRNAs, including miR-16 and miR-140, which may help detect cancer-related muscle wasting in dogs. The study's findings have implications for human medicine, suggesting a potential new approach for earlier diagnosis and monitoring of cancer-related cachexia.
A new paper highlights how canine science has focused on the Western world, neglecting diverse experiences and populations. Researchers argue that a globally collaborative approach can help overcome this bias and improve generalizability in comparative psychology.
Researchers found that females with live offspring had lower late-life frailty, contradicting previous theories on a potential reproductive cost. The study used companion dogs to investigate the relationship between reproduction and aging, revealing a unique link between parity and robustness.
A University of Stirling study found that most people in the UK don't fully understand dog laws and often believe stronger protections exist than actually do. Dog owners were consistently more confident but not more accurate in their knowledge, raising concerns about improving legal understanding.
A Thai study found that shelter dogs in more crowded conditions tend to have disrupted gut microbiomes compared to those with more space. The research analyzed stress, metabolism, and fecal microbiota in dogs, providing insights into the impact of shelter conditions on animal health.
A new Cornell University study examines the relationship between cranial shape and body weight in dogs, identifying a link to syringomyelia, a painful spinal condition. Breeds prone to syringomyelia exhibit distinct skull shapes, highlighting the need for breed-specific treatment strategies.
Researchers found a correlation between cognitive decline in geriatric dogs and reduced thoracic limb stride length, with higher Canine Dementia Scale scores associated with decreased stride length. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between gait patterns and canine cognition.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
Researchers found that interacting with pets during stressful moments does not reduce negative emotions and can even intensify them in cat owners. On the other hand, dog owners experienced improved emotional well-being when interacting with their dogs.
In a groundbreaking study, ordinary pet dogs and their owners excelled at finding spotted lanternfly egg masses, with teams outperforming trained human searchers by over 2:1 in dense vegetation. The research demonstrates the potential of community dog-handler teams as an early detection force to combat the invasive pest's spread.
Dogs with lower urine ammonia-to-creatinine ratios may experience faster kidney disease progression, higher fatality rates, and shorter survival times. UACR levels also may represent an earlier marker of acid dysregulation before more obvious changes in blood tests.
Researchers developed an oral spray using polyphenols from molasses to neutralize dog breath and harmful bacteria. The spray reduced odor-producing compounds and pathogenic bacteria in dogs' mouths after a single application.
Researchers used data from over 4,000 Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs to identify heritable traits that contribute to breathing disorders. The study suggests that improving respiratory health through selective breeding may help reduce the prevalence of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in these breeds.
A new study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology provides physical evidence of Peruvian hairless dogs from the Wari Empire site of Castillo de Huarmey. The site, located on the Pacific coast of northern Peru, yielded dog skeletal remains that were analyzed using standard zooarchaeological methods and isotopic analysis.
Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy called Snoretox-1 to help clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The treatment shows early success in improving breathing difficulties in bulldogs.
A Linköping University study shows that playing with dogs for just a few minutes a day can significantly improve the emotional bond between owners and their pets. Dog training did not have the same effect, suggesting that playtime is crucial for building strong relationships.
A study by the University of Turku reveals that assistance dogs actively contribute to their human's care through continuous interpretation and trust. They anticipate health status, provide mobility assistance, and offer emotional support in ways that humans cannot.
Researchers discovered that mutations in a key protein make yeast found in dogs with common outer ear infections more resistant to topical antifungals. The team recommends using shorter-tailed azoles as initial therapy for dogs with yeast ear infections, reserving longer-tailed azoles for recurrent or non-responsive cases.
New research from the Dog Aging Project reveals that dog owners experience strikingly similar emotional impacts whether their dogs died through euthanasia or unassisted death. Owners reported comparable feelings of grief, guilt, and blame regardless of the circumstances surrounding their dog's death.
A study by the American Chemical Society found that small active dogs produce more airborne particles, while larger dogs release more microbes into the air. The research suggests that dogs can impact household air quality at a level similar to or more than humans, and highlights the importance of including pet emissions in ventilation ...
Research found that dogs and 16-month-old toddlers exhibited similar prosocial behaviour when searching for a hidden object, with over 75% of them indicating or retrieving the object. In contrast, companion cats rarely showed such behaviour, suggesting domestication may not be enough to produce human-like cooperation.
A study from the University of Cambridge identified twelve dog breeds at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, a condition causing serious breathing problems. The breeds include Pekingese, Shih Tzu, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, with narrow nostrils and short head shapes being significant risk factors.
Overweight and obese dogs have significantly higher eye pressure than lean dogs, with a 1.9 mmHg increase for every one-unit rise in body condition score. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for protecting a dog's long-term vision and ocular health.
A new set of guidelines provides veterinarians and pet owners with a clear approach to diagnose and monitor canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), also known as canine dementia. The guidelines outline key signs, diagnostic levels, and stages of disease severity to support care decisions.
A global DNA study suggests that Australian heartworms may share ancestry with parasites from Asia, potentially linking their origin to dingoes that migrated from the continent thousands of years ago. The research has implications for developing treatments given the rise in drug resistance to heartworm disease.
Researchers at Penn Vet have shown that trained dogs can identify the odor of hemangiosarcoma, a malignant cancer of blood vessel cells, with an accuracy rate of 70%. Early detection could lead to better outcomes, including prevention of disease spread and earlier removal of the spleen or initiation of chemotherapy.
Dog owners experienced a decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned to pre-pandemic levels. Non-dog owners showed no significant changes. Before the pandemic, dog ownership was associated with high exercise self-efficacy, predicting greater physical activity.
A study analyzing personal injury claims data for England and Wales found that mental trauma succeeds 1 in 7 dog-related injuries, resulting in the need for time off work and/or loss of earnings. Most incidents occurred in public spaces, with unrestrained dogs being a common cause.
Researchers found that Gifted Word Learner dogs can quickly learn hundreds of toy names through natural play sessions with their owners. These dogs excel in learning both directly and from overheard speech, similar to human infants.
Researchers have released guidelines for diagnosing and monitoring CCDS in senior dogs, offering practical diagnostic criteria and standard definitions. The guidelines are designed to aid both clinicians and researchers in helping dogs with cognitive issues, paving the way towards improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that neutrophils play a role in the early stages of atopic dermatitis flares in dogs. The researchers compared skin samples from four dogs with house dust mite-induced AD with samples from five healthy, or control, dogs.
Research suggests that owning a family dog during adolescence can boost mental well-being and social support by altering the gut microbiota. The study found that adolescents with dogs had higher mental health scores and lower social problems compared to those without dogs.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have confirmed a new species of Rickettsia bacteria found in dogs, associated with symptoms similar to those of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The new species, Rickettsia finnyi, has been cultured and sequenced, and its genome revealed a unique circular chromosome.
A recent study found that dogs given CBD supplements show below-average levels of aggression over time, with the most aggressive changes observed in male dogs. The study, which used data from almost 50,000 dog owners, also found a link between CBD use and health conditions such as dementia and osteoarthritis.
Research reveals that post-domestication wolf ancestry has shaped the evolution of dogs, influencing characteristics such as body size, sense of smell, and personality traits. The study found detectable levels of wolf ancestry in a wide range of dog breeds, including Shiloh shepherds and chihuahuas.
A recent study from the Dog Aging Project found that only 6% of homemade dog food recipes meet nutritional requirements. Dog owners should work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to create a balanced diet tailored to their pet's needs, and consider testing their homemade diet for accuracy.
Researchers identified 12 genes linked to canine behaviour also associated with human traits like anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The study provides insights into understanding dog emotional worlds and tailoring training or care to suit their needs.
Researchers found that dogs with stronger ADHD-like traits were slower to learn new information, but improved with repetition and sufficient sleep. The studies also revealed a link between ADHD-like traits and self-control in dogs, suggesting that cognitive training and sleep can mitigate these impairments.
A study by the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation's Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies found that retaining gonad function can significantly impact frailty mortality risk. Male dogs with shortest testis exposure had high mortality risks, while those with longest gonad exposure showed no consequence of increasing frailty.
A large study in pet dogs has uncovered molecular clues that could shed light on how aging unfolds in pets and people alike. The researchers found that a type of metabolite called post-translationally modified amino acids (ptmAAs) appeared strongly linked with aging across dogs of all breeds, sizes, and sexes.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from dogs in the Dog Aging Project and found that post-translationally modified amino acids are strongly linked to age, suggesting a promising indicator of physiological aging. The study also highlighted an important role of the kidney in the relationship between age and blood metabolites.
A new study by the University of Helsinki found that a high-fat raw meat-based diet had favorable metabolic effects on dogs, while a high-carbohydrate kibble diet was associated with adverse changes. The study's lead researcher notes that more research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of these diets.
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University review the biological and technological possibilities behind enhancing canine communication. They find that while dogs may not need words to be great communicators, understanding each other requires 'listening' in the right way.
A groundbreaking study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that working with service dogs can slow cellular aging in female veterans. The study, which involved female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training.
Research suggests that exposure to dog allergens in the home may reduce the risk of developing childhood asthma by five years old. Babies with higher levels of Can f1, a dog skin protein, had around a 48% lower risk of developing asthma and better lung function.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that plant-based diets for pets have the lowest environmental impact across all measures. The study analyzed 31 commercially available dry dog foods and estimated their environmental metrics using life cycle assessment datasets. Compared to red meat options, plant-based dog foods...
A Dartmouth study found that people without pets donate more than cat owners, who in turn give more often and diversely. The researchers analyzed over $70 billion in donations from approximately 63 million donors, suggesting that personality traits may play a role in philanthropic behavior.
A team of animal behavior experts found that Gifted Word Learner dogs can distinguish between toys used for tugging versus fetching, even when the toys don't share any obvious physical similarities. The dogs were able to remember those categorizations for long periods without prior training.
Researchers found that Gifted Word Learner dogs can apply verbal labels to new objects by recognizing their functional purpose, mirroring human language development. This ability opens exciting avenues for studying how language-related skills may evolve beyond humans.
A new study reveals that puppy ownership can bring joy to parents and children, but also presents mental health challenges, including child-puppy interactions and caregiver responsibilities. To mitigate these risks, researchers recommend discussing dog-care responsibilities with children and attending safety training classes.
A new Virginia Tech study establishes a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale, tracking trends in fear, attention, aggression, and trainability over four years. The research found that dogs are adaptable and not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some notable exceptions related to trainability.
Children with variable levels of walking impairment experience significant physical activity, social engagement, and family life improvements. Parents also report increased confidence, self-belief, and reduced anxiety in their children.
A survey of nearly 50,000 dog owners found that dogs became harder to train during the pandemic, with improvements noted once restrictions were lifted. Factors like age, breed, and size also influenced behavior, with mixed-breed dogs showing more fear, aggression, and need for attention.
A new Virginia Tech study analyzes four years of owner-reported data from over 47,000 dogs to establish a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale. The research reveals that dogs are adaptable and shows no substantial changes in behavioral profiles despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study from Mizzou's College of Veterinary Medicine analyzed the effects of radioactive iodine therapy on thyroid cancer in dogs. The research found that tailoring the dose of radiation more precisely for each dog could improve outcomes and potentially lead to more targeted care.