Articles tagged with Pet Animals
Researchers develop detailed canine gait analysis method to evaluate harnesses, providing a more accurate fit for dogs. The new method could lead to improved comfort and safety for dogs wearing harnesses.
A survey of 426 Italian dog owners found that 86% observed negative changes in surviving dogs' behavior after the death of their companion. These changes included increased attention seeking, decreased activity, and fearfulness.
Researchers provide additional evidence that cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus have Mirror Self-Recognition (MSR), passing the mark test with 94% positive result. The study addresses criticisms by using ecologically relevant marks and testing visual recognition of mirror images.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that younger people are more interested in owning exotic pets, such as pythons, than older generations. The research suggests a growing trend towards unusual pet ownership among younger populations.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that flat-faced breeds like Neapolitan mastiffs and English bulldogs are disproportionately affected by the condition. The study suggests that breed-specific characteristics may contribute to the development of cherry eye.
Researchers examined social media posts promoting live bird sales from West Africa, finding 83 species for sale, including endangered parrots. Social media platforms must work with wildlife experts to detect harmful content, as algorithms alone are not enough.
A study conducted at the University of São Paulo analyzed how dogs living inside the home exchange looks with their owners to obtain food or other desired objects. The researchers found that 95.7% of those living inside the home used gaze alternation at least once, while those living outside communicated less intensely.
In an experiment, pet cats were found to track their owner's location using the sound of their voice. Researchers discovered that cats can mentally map the location of their owners based on the unique acoustic characteristics of their voices.
Researchers from TGen matched the exact strain of coronavirus shared among a Phoenix-area owner, his cat and his dog, marking the first reported US transmission of COVID-19 from a pet to pets. The study found that the virus spread from the pet parent to either the dog or cat, or both.
A modelling study estimates nearly a quarter of a million unowned cats in UK urban areas, with higher deprivation and density linked to higher abundance. Socioeconomic factors and human population density were key predictors of unowned cat presence.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that robotic pet cats improved mood scores and cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate dementia. The intervention involved 12 visits with the robotic cat, where participants interacted with it and reported positive emotions.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that 75% of new first-year college students experience some level of pet separation anxiety, with one in four reporting moderate to severe symptoms. Students who treated their pets like people were more likely to experience high levels of anxiety.
A survey conducted by Michigan Medicine found that nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced difficulty with pet care during hospitalization or knew someone who did. This stress can impact a patient's decision about staying in the hospital. Researchers aim to develop better resources and formalized services to address this need.
A recent study by the University of Copenhagen found that 20% of Danish families own dogs, while 14% own cats. The study also revealed that dogs hold a special place in their owners' hearts, with over 90% reporting a strong bond with their canine companion.
Researchers at Utrecht University found shelter dogs rest less and have higher stress hormone levels than pet dogs, indicating a need for adaptation time
A study of 156 dogs and 154 cats found that 6% had active COVID-19 infections and 17.4% had antibodies indicating past exposure. The researchers suggest that the most likely route of transmission is from human to pet, rather than the other way around.
Researchers analyzed YouTube comments on exotic animal videos and found overwhelmingly positive reactions to human-animal interactions. The study highlights concerns about the normalization of exotic pets and the exotic pet trade due to platform portrayals.
A pilot study found emotional support animals reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness in individuals with chronic mental health issues. Participants showed lower stress hormone cortisol and higher bonding hormone oxytocin levels after interacting with their animal.
The Hungarian Canine Brain and Tissue Bank (CBTB) has made significant contributions to aging research by providing biological materials from pet dogs. Researchers found a positive correlation between CDKN2A expression and age in brain and muscle tissue, similar to human findings.
Petco Love and Blue Buffalo have partnered with Morris Animal Foundation to support pet cancer research, investing over $16 million in the fight against pet cancer. The $100,000 grant will be used to match donor gifts and raise awareness for animal cancer research.
A Brazilian study tested pet dogs and cats of humans diagnosed with COVID-19, finding 40% of cats and 31% of dogs were infected. Under half displayed symptoms, suggesting transmission may be more common than initially thought.
A University of Arizona researcher found that veterinarians and breeders often hold biases against each other, which can lead to suboptimal animal care. Her study proposes solutions to bridge the divide between pet owners, breeders, and vets, including using nonverbal cues, empathy, and unconditional positive regard in communication.
Biologists Auke-Florian Hiemstra and Liselotte Rambonnet found reports of various animals becoming entangled in corona waste, including foxes, birds, hedgehogs, seagulls, crabs, and bats. The diversity of affected species is considerable, with vertebrates and invertebrates on land, in freshwater, and seawater also impacted.
Researchers are conducting a pilot study to investigate SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Four pets have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arizona so far, and the project aims to better understand the risk factors leading to transmission between humans and animals.
Researchers tested dogs in a 'body as an obstacle' task, where they had to pick up a toy attached to a mat or the ground. The dogs left the mat more frequently when the toy was attached, suggesting body awareness and understanding of consequences.
A UCLA study published in Science found that desert tortoises with higher genetic variation had higher survival rates after relocation. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 79 surviving and 87 deceased tortoises and found that survivors averaged 23% greater heterozygosity than those that perished.
A new UK study found that having a pet helped people cope emotionally with the lockdown and stay fit. The human-animal bond was linked to improved mental health outcomes, regardless of animal species.
A study found that a significant number of pet cats and dogs develop antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after being exposed to the virus through contact with their owners. The study suggests that pets may be at risk of infection if their owners have COVID-19.
A new study found that aged pet dogs experience declines in four out of six behavioral factors, including problem-solving, sociability, and boldness. The research suggests that further studies are needed to determine the potential links between aging, nutrition, and training on canine cognition.
Researchers found that filling homes with calming pheromones can reduce undesirable interactions between cats and dogs, such as dog chasing cat or barking at cat. Both Feliway Friends for cats and Adaptil for dogs showed positive effects on desirable behaviors like friendly greetings and relaxation in the same room.
A recent international study found a significant shift in pet feeding practices over the past decade, with a rise in raw and home-made foods. The research warns that these unconventional diets may pose health risks for animals, citing nutrient deficiencies and bacterial contamination.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that cats can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and shed the virus, potentially transmitting it to other cats. The virus was not lethal and all cats ultimately cleared the virus.
Researchers have engineered a strain of bacteria called Clostridium thermocellum to degrade PET more efficiently than current industry bio-methods. The heat-friendly microbes can break down PET and plant-based fibers in hot, oxygen-free environments, offering a promising solution for plastic waste management.
A questionnaire survey identified potential separation-related problems in 30 out of 223 sampled cats, including destructive behavior, excessive vocalization, and depression. The study found that households with no female residents and those without cat toys were more likely to have cats with these issues.
A new study reveals that house cats have a two- to 10-time larger impact on wildlife than wild predators. The research found that most pet cats hunt in disturbed habitats and kill an average of 3.5 prey items per month, leading to an estimated ecological impact per cat of 14.2-38.9 prey ha-1 yr-1.
A study of 13,700 Finnish pet dogs found that 72.5% displayed anxiety-like traits or behavioral issues, including aggression and fearfulness. The most common anxiety traits were noise sensitivity and fear.
Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.
A survey of 3,080 UK rescue dog owners found that most believed their dogs were imported under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, despite only 1% actually using this method. The study highlights concerns about the risks of exotic diseases and calls for stricter checks on imported rescue dogs.
N-Side's smart pet wearable necklace can analyze body temperature, stress level, and sleep quality in real-time. The company plans to receive feedback from 100 people to improve the technology and product quality.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that being around dogs from an early age may have a health benefit, decreasing the chance of developing schizophrenia as an adult. However, no significant link was found between dogs and bipolar disorder or cats and either psychiatric disorder.
Animal-assisted interventions show promise in improving psychosocial, emotional, and physiological outcomes for patients. However, the scientific evidence base is limited, and more rigorous research is required to harness the human-animal bond safely, effectively, and ethically.
Research finds that UK vets need special training to report suspected animal abuse, boosting their confidence and skills in overcoming client confidentiality and earning loss fears. The study suggests that perceived self-efficacy is a key factor in reporting animal abuse.
A study at the University of Guelph found that dog owners frequently make errors when measuring out dry dog food, with significant variations in portion sizes. The researchers recommend using a kitchen scale to ensure precise measurements and prevent under- or over-nourishment.
The study found that at least 5,579 animals are currently being traded globally, with impacts tend to be higher among certain groups and in threatened species. The researchers predict that up to 8,775 species could soon be at risk of extinction due to future commodification.
A new study reveals that despite regulations, over 60,000 exotic animals are abandoned in Spain each year, causing significant harm to the environment. The researchers argue that improving biosafety measures, training buyers, and regulating importation can help reduce this problem.
Researchers analyzed data on over 19 million cats to understand typical weight gain and loss patterns. The study found most cats continue to put on weight as they age, with average weights peaking between 6-10 years old.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that interacting with animals for just 10 minutes can lower cortisol levels, a major stress hormone, in college students. The study involved 249 participants divided into four groups, with the first group showing a significant reduction in cortisol levels after petting cats and dogs.
A new study from McGill University and the University of Antwerp has developed a PET imaging platform that allows simultaneous scanning of multiple awake animals. This breakthrough enables unprecedented experimental designs and opens up new avenues for research into brain function, neurochemistry, and behavior.
In a touchscreen-based task, wolves behaved more prosocially towards their fellow pack members than dogs. Wolves opted to deliver significantly more food to an adjacent enclosure when it held a member of their own pack present.
Researchers discovered a gene that enables bacteria to resist linezolid in cats and dogs at a UK animal hospital, suggesting potential transmission between animals and humans.
Researchers found that domestic cats can distinguish between their name and other words, even if they don't respond enthusiastically. Cats living in homes were more likely to recognize their owner's voice than those in cat cafés.
A new national poll found that 55% of adults aged 50-80 have a pet, which reduces stress, gives them purpose, and encourages physical activity. However, some pet owners may prioritize their animals' needs over their own health.
Researchers studied 250 mammals in zoos to investigate the connection between digestive systems and resting postures. They found that body size plays a significant role in determining the animals' resting posture, with larger animals more likely to lie on their sides and smaller ones on their chests.
A survey of 3,673 dog and cat owners found that 35% of pet owners who feed their animals conventional diets are interested in switching to a plant-based diet. Many respondents also reported already feeding their pets plant-based diets, with 27% of vegans having made the switch.
A study of Twitter activity reveals that viral videos of exotic animals can fuel demand for them as pets. Researchers analyzed nearly 14,000 tweets mentioning pet or captive lemurs and found a significant spike in searches for 'pet lemur' after a popular video went viral.
Researchers investigated PFAS exposure in older cats and compared it with hyperthyroidism prevalence. The study found a potential link between higher PFAS levels and increased risk of hyperthyroidism in senior cats.
A new Oregon State University study reveals that human encouragement significantly influences how dogs solve problems. Search and rescue dogs outperformed pet dogs when encouraged by their owners, but only solved the task independently after receiving social cues from their owners.
Scientists have successfully enhanced the capacity of PETase, an enzyme that degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic commonly used in bottles. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient biodegradation of PET and reduce ocean plastic waste.
A new study reveals that allowing pets to roam outdoors can lead to a decrease in perceived environmental friendliness among bird lovers on social media. Even though property owners exhibit sustainable practices, those with outdoor cats are judged less environmentally concerned.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast found that female cats exhibit a strong preference for using their right paw, while males show a preference for the left. This gender-based difference in limb use may help cat owners understand their pet's stress levels and behavior.