Figure 1. Preparation and understanding the dog's needs are key to managing noise-related fears during festive season fireworks.

Noise-related fear in dogs

Emotions are relatively short-term affective states typically occurring in situations involving (potential) rewards or punishers (Rolls, 2005). They are complex phenomena and are accompanied by...

Canine separation-related problems: Part 4: first steps in resolving owner absent problems

Studies have found that 22–55% of the domestic dog population display behaviours that are problematic for their owners during owner absence (Bradshaw et al, 2002; Mills and Mills, 2003; Marques Soares...

Figure 1. Juno demonstrating her chin rest behaviour while practicing vaccination protocol with an empty syringe and blunt needle.

Cooperative care for companion dogs: emotional health and wellness

Dogs are important members of a unique interspecies relationship that involves a care and concern that permeates species boundaries. However, the various interactions that humans have with companion...

Figure 2. Unless also exposed to an enriched yet not over-stimulating environment, young animals will not benefit from remaining with their mothers for longer periods than would be normal.

COVID-19: implications of self-isolation and social distancing for the emotional and behavioural health of dogs

However, as infected dogs are unlikely to show signs of illness and until more is known about COVID-19, it should be assumed that COVID-19 may be transferrable via animals because of a degree of risk...

Figure 2. Small prey animals are often, inadvertently, left without a sense of protection from ground level and overhead threats to their safety.

COVID-19: implications of self-isolation and social distancing for the emotional and behavioural health of equines, parrots and small prey pets

The answer to that question lies in whether animals such as equines, parrots and small prey species can act as vectors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (the virus which...

Figure 1. Cardboard boxes provide inexpensive hiding places that can be arranged throughout a home.

COVID-19: implications of self-isolation and social distancing for the emotional and behavioural health of cats

To answer this question, we need to consider whether cats are capable of acting as a vector for SARS-CoV-2 to be passed on to a greater number of humans. In an interview (Weese, 2020), Dr J Scott...