Here are some other posts based on scientific research on companion animals…

• A dog’s environment impacts their communication behaviours
  A dog’s environment impacts their communication behaviours New research has confirmed that a dog’s environment impacts their communication behaviours. Dogs generally matched the enthusiasm of their owners! Craig Lebrau lets Pet Problems Solved know more… The environments that we put our animals in may have an effect on their psyches. We are definitely impacted by the environments that we inhabit but we have not had proof that canine communication and behaviours are also impacted by the dog’s environment. Whether it is childcare courses for one’s children or a favourite room in the home (to name just a few examples among
• Are puppy farm dogs stressed?
  Canine commercial breeding establishments may adopt dogs out to homes once their production levels deteriorate. How do these dogs cope? A new study has looked at this and Dr Jo comments…
• Assessing shelter dog behaviour to determine adoption suitability: Meaningful or misleading?
  I have asked Dr Kate,a newly graduated PhD animal behaviourist, of Pets Behaving Badly, to tell us a little about her PhD findings. This will interest anyone concerned with shelter dogs and behaviour assessments… Assessing shelter dog behaviour to determine adoption suitability: Meaningful or misleading? By Dr Kate Mornement Like many of you, I’m an animal lover and the high euthanasia rates of shelter dogs the world over is an issue that has always concerned me.  Upon entering a shelter dogs typically undergo a behaviour assessment (or temperament test) to determine if they’re suitable for adoption. Problem behaviour, such as aggression
• Australia’s Love of Companion Animals is Real
  Australia’s Love of Companion Animals is real We love our pets and it’s no surprise that our lives and behaviour revolve around our feathered, furred or finned creatures. Real Insurance have surveyed Aussies to find out just how deep our love is… With our generous land-to-population ratio and historical roots in agriculture, it’s no surprise that we Australians love our pets. A Real Insurance survey has delved deeper into this phenomenon to find out more about why Australians love pets. The survey looks at our views on pets, our love of our pets relative to other members of the household,
• Australian Cat Lovers – We really do Love Our Cats – Here’s How we know
  Australian Cat Lovers We Really Do Love Our Cats – Here’s How We Know Are you a cat lover? Are you a cat owner? Has anyone ever called you a crazy cat person? Let’s take the stereotypical “crazy cat person” and change this expression to what it really is – someone who is crazy in love with their cat or cats. Nothing wrong with that! Research on cat owners Research was conducted by Antenna research for Purina® Fancy Feast® to debunk the stereotypical cat lover and understand the crazy acts of love Australians do for their cat. Here are some
• Can patting your cat stress them?
  Can patting your cat stress them? Do you enjoy stroking your cat? Perhaps more importantly, does your cat enjoy it? Find out as Dr o explores new research on cats…
• Cats and litter: 7 Cat Litter Box Rules
  Cats and litter: 7 Cat Litter Box Rules and the Best Cat Litter What type of cat litter does your cat prefer to use? What about most cats? Well, new research has looked at cats’ preferred cat litter types. Read on for our cat litter box rules and to find the best cat litter. Dr Jo says “It seems that I like to explore cat litter! I even wrote a book about cat toileting habits! Now there’s more to learn about cat pee and poo!”… Cats often don’t have a choice of which litter to use. After all, it’s the
• Cats don’t come when called
  Cats don’t come when called! But cat owners know that, don’t they? And still love their cats. New research from the University of Japan has put cats to the test. Do they actually hear their owners? Do they recognise us? Do they ignore us? Researchers played the sounds of strangers calling the cat’s name, then the owner, then strangers again. The cat’s behaviour was monitored, looking for body and facial movements and any noise, such as meows, that they make. Cats did respond, even to strangers, moving their head and ears. They responded clearly to the sound of their owner’s
• Cats use of litter box is determined by sight, not scent
  Cats use of litter box determined by sight, not scent You might think your cat’s litter box is clean , even if they have already used it. Research shows, however, that cats use of litter box is determined by sight, not scent Cat toileting habits Cats are so clean. They come litter trained as kittens. They continue to confine their waste to your backyard or that litter tray that you secrete away in some undisturbed corner of your home. Most owners clean the box regularly, as this prevents that odour that we all want to avoid. Litter box issues Of
• Cats vs Dogs Who loves you more? The answer will surprise you.
  Dogs may love us more than cats, recent tests show? Do you agree? But you might be surprised to learn the most loving animal of them all…
• Did You Know That Desexing your male dog could result in unwanted behaviour?
  Desexing your male dog could result in unwanted behaviour! Dog owners: Do you have a male dog? Is your dog desexed (neutered) ? At what age was your dog neutered? And does your dog have any problem behaviours? Questions we may all be asking after reading the result of recent research. We are all advised to desex (neuter/castrate) our dogs. It prevents unwanted litters of puppies, of course. It can also improve your dog’s health and behaviour. Or so we thought! Now, new research suggests that desexing your male dog could result in unwanted behaviours. Why desex your dog? Desexing,
• Dimensions of dog petting: How positive interaction with your dog can be as beneficial as common forms of therapy
  DIMENSIONS OF DOG PETTING: HOW POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH YOUR DOG CAN BE AS BENEFICIAL AS COMMON FORMS OF THERAPY Can dogs really stop us eating chocolate? I recently met Kristin Finkbeiner, a PhD student at ISAZ, human-animal interactions conference in Barcelona. Kristin’s research immediately intrigued me as it involved dogs… and chocolate! Not dogs eating chocolate, as that would be bad. Instead looking at the positive effects dogs have on human stress levels. I asked her to explain some of her work to us… Guest post by Kristin Finkbeiner All pet owners intrinsically know that there is something special to the
• Do Cats and Dogs like to Look at Us?
  Do cats and dogs like to look at us? We like to look into the faces of our pets but do cats and dogs like to look at our faces? New research has looked at our pets communication with us and this will help us understand how to improve our relationship with our feline friends and canine companions. Do dogs like to look at us? People are tuned into faces. We know this. It helps us communicate. We read feelings in humans and we attempt to do so in our pets too. But what do dogs do? Do they look
• Dog anxiety and aggression may be genetic: What this means for you and your dog
  Dog Anxiety and Aggression may be Genetic If you have a dog that is a bit of a scaredy dog or even bares their teeth, this may interest you. New research is making discoveries about how dog anxiety and aggression may be genetic in dogs and now this knowledge might even help with human anxiety. Dog aggression is a problem As we know, dog aggression can be a problem to dog owners and to society. What you may not know is that most dog aggression is based on fear. Aggression and anxiety are often linked. Your dog is scared of
• Dog owner driving habits revealed in UK study
  Do you take your dog in the car with you? You might find these dog owner driving habits fascinating, thanks to Ross Wild from All Car Leasing… Dog owner driving habits revealed in UK study Many of us must transport our dogs in our cars from time to time to get them to the vets or if you don’t live near anywhere walking friendly to a park. Some dogs take to cars swimmingly and others not so much. How do you travel with your dog in the car? Do you put them in the boot, rear passenger seat or even