Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yana Bender, Juliane Brauer, Stefan R. Schweinberger
Summary: This systematic review investigates the determinants of a functioning and satisfying dog-owner relationship, how they differ from owners' acquisition motivation, and how relevant knowledge can improve future ownership. The review suggests that individual personality and attachment aspects can impact ownership positively or negatively. Compatibility between owners and dogs based on traits like warmth, sharing possessions, and enjoyment of outdoor activities can lead to a satisfying relationship. Future owners should focus more on personality and attachment aspects rather than cuteness and appearance during the acquisition process.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lauren Powell, Darko Stefanovski, Carlo Siracusa, James Serpell
Summary: The study found that after veterinary clinical intervention, canine behavior problems improved, and treatment outcomes were associated with both canine and owner parameters. This suggests that behavior change in dogs can be predicted and influenced by factors related to the dog and its owner.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miiamaaria V. Kujala, Noora Imponen, Aino Pirkkala, Tiia Silfverberg, Tiina Parviainen, Katriina Tiira, Noona Kiuru
Summary: The behavior of companion dogs is influenced by the temperament of their owners and the perceived dog-owner relationship. The connection between owner temperament and dog behavior is modulated by the dog breed group.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Heli Vaataja, Paeivi Majaranta, Anna Valldeoriola Cardo, Poika Isokoski, Sanni Somppi, Antti Vehkaoja, Outi Vainio, Veikko Surakka
Summary: The study found that there is an interaction between the dog-owner relationship and the physical activity levels and affective experiences of the dog, especially at the time of owner's departure and reunion. Aspects such as the attentiveness of the owner, continuous companionship, and time spent together when relaxing were positively correlated with the mean daily activity levels of the dog.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rachel Forrest, Leena Awawdeh, Fiona Esam, Maria Pearson, Natalie Waran
Summary: This study aims to investigate the attitudes of dog owners in New Zealand and the factors contributing to canine obesity. The survey results show that many dog owners provide various types of food to their dogs, making it challenging to determine the appropriate amount. It is also found that there is disagreement among dog owners regarding the correct body condition, which may negatively impact the welfare of dogs.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hongjun Ye, Siddharth Bhatt, Jonathan Deutsch, Rajneesh Suri
Summary: Globally, efforts are being made to reduce food waste, with upcycling being a remarkable new solution. Research suggests that human consumers may be willing to buy and consume upcycled food. This study provides the first assessment of acceptance of upcycled pet food by pet owners.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Manal Hemida, Sarah Rosendahl, Tarja S. Jokinen, Robin Moore, Kristiina A. Vuori, Johanna Anturaniemi, Anna Hielm-Bjoerkman
Summary: Feeding dietary sources of fish fat during puppyhood may be inversely associated with canine epilepsy in adulthood. The possibility of causality exists but further dietary intervention studies are needed to confirm these findings.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cori Bussolari, Jennifer Currin-McCulloch, Wendy Packman, Lori Kogan, Phyllis Erdman
Summary: The qualitative study examined how Covid-19 restrictions impacted dog owners' relationships with their pets. Results showed that dog ownership during the pandemic helped reduce isolation and loneliness, and supported mental/physical health. The pandemic has negatively affected global psychological well-being, highlighting the importance of social connectedness for human survival and well-being.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lauren Powell, Brittany Lee, Chelsea L. Reinhard, Margaret Morris, Donya Satriale, James Serpell, Brittany Watson
Summary: Most dog adopters are satisfied with dog ownership, but some adopted dogs are returned to shelters, causing stress for both the owner and the dog. This study found that owners who returned their dogs had higher expectations for their dog's health, behavior, and the human-dog bond. There were no differences in expectations for ownership responsibilities and challenges between returning and non-returning owners. Additionally, two-thirds of owners experienced behavioral problems following adoption, but these problems decreased over time.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Aikaterini Merkouri, Taryn M. Graham, Marguerite Elizabeth O'Haire, Rebecca Purewal, Carri Westgarth
Summary: This study examines the relationship between dog ownership and mental health. It finds that a stronger dog-owner relationship is associated with greater emotional support and companionship, but poorer mental health in terms of anxiety or depression. The perceived burden of responsibility, however, is consistently associated with better mental health outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yana Bender, Tim Matschkowski, Stefan R. Schweinberger, Juliane Braeuer
Summary: Guide dogs are beneficial for visually impaired individuals as they increase confidence and independence. A good match between the dog and the owner depends on factors such as shared hobbies, activity levels, expressions of calmness, happiness, greediness, and friendliness. Owners who perceive themselves to be similar to their dogs in terms of personality often have a strong bond, feeling secure with their dog and less influenced by previous relationships. However, a strong bond may also have negative effects.
Article
Ecology
Marion Cordonnier, Amira Perrot, Nicolas Ferry, Elsa Bonnaud, Emmanuelle Baudry
Summary: Through a survey of 2508 cat owners in France, this study found that cat personality plays an important role in influencing hunting frequency. Cats with higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of neuroticism had higher frequencies of bringing home prey. Cats with lower levels of agreeableness or higher levels of dominance had a significantly lower frequency of bird return. Additionally, cats spending more time outdoors, non-pedigree cats, and cats owned by people living in rural or suburban areas had higher reported prey return frequencies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter Pongracz, Gabriella Rieger, Kata Vekony
Summary: Dogs show individual variability in social learning tasks, and their relationship with owners may affect social learning and problem behaviors. Dogs detour faster when there is human demonstration, with aggressive and assertive dogs learning better from unfamiliar demonstrators. Overactive dogs are less likely to look back at their owners during problem-solving.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kenta Matsumura, Kei Hamazaki, Akiko Tsuchida, Hidekuni Inadera
Summary: This study found that owning a dog can reduce the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms and psychological distress, while owning a cat can increase the risk. This suggests that the type of pet owned plays a differential role in maintaining mothers' mental health during the perinatal and postpartum periods.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Xiaoyi Ji, Yuan Yao, Ping Zheng, Chuangli Hao
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that pet ownership, especially cats and dogs, is associated with the occurrence of childhood asthma.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ida J. Pedersen, Fernanda M. Tahamtani, Bjoern Forkman, Jette F. Young, Hanne D. Poulsen, Anja B. Riber
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
F. Hakansson, H. P. Lahrmann, B. Forkman
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Louise Winblad von Walter, Bjorn Forkman, Madeleine Hogberg, Eva Hydbring-Sandberg
Summary: This study examined the impact of early permanent separation, daytime separation, or full-time access to their mother on goat kids. The results showed that goat kids separated early permanent adapted well to group living, while daytime separated kids exhibited the strongest stress response. The evaluation of stress responses in animal welfare research is complex and requires a combination of physiological and behavioral measurements.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Natascha Munkeboe, Amalie Lohse-Lind, Peter Sandoe, Bjorn Forkman, Soren Saxmose Nielsen
Summary: This study found that former street dogs imported into Denmark tend to display more behavioral problems, especially behaviors related to fear, stress, and aggression, compared to dogs reared in Denmark. The extent of behavioral problems reported by veterinarians was greater than that reported by dog owners, potentially due to stress reactions in dogs at veterinary clinics.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Soren Stig Andersen, Iben Meyer, Bjorn Forkman, Soren Saxmose Nielsen, Peter Sandoe
Summary: Animal welfare legislation plays a crucial role in defining the minimum requirements for breeding and care of animals, with significant variations in development across jurisdictions. While some countries have implemented specific measures for pet owners, others lack such regulations and show considerable differences. Most countries regulate the sale of dogs and ban certain surgeries, but there is diversity in the regulation of day-to-day care and euthanasia, with the USA being a notable exception with minimal regulations. Growing concerns among experts, NGOs, and the public highlight the importance of improving companion animal welfare through legislative initiatives.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
E. Hydbring-Sandberg, L. Winblad von Walter, B. Forkman
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity of physiological stress responses elicited by tethering versus loose holding in Swedish domestic goats. The study found that tethered goats had higher heart rates and blood pressures, as well as lower concentrations of beta-endorphin and oxytocin compared to goats held loose. This suggests that being tied up may be more stressful for goats. The study highlights the importance of using multiple physiological measures when evaluating stress in animal welfare research.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Madeleine Hogberg, Louise Winblad von Walter, Eva Hydbring-Sandberg, Bjorn Forkman, Kristina Dahlborn
Summary: The study showed that keeping kids and mothers together could have positive effects on the milk composition of the mother and behavior of the kids. Permanently separated kids displayed more hiding behavior, while the milk yield and fat concentration were higher in kids that were separated daily between specific hours.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Soren Saxmose Nielsen, Hans Houe, Matthew Denwood, Liza Rosenbaum Nielsen, Bjoern Forkman, Nina Dam Otten, Jens Frederik Agger
Summary: Infectious diseases in livestock impact animal welfare, and a method to quantify the welfare effect of five diseases in cattle and pigs has been proposed. A suffering score was established based on severity, duration, and frequency of the diseases, revealing significant differences in welfare impact among different diseases.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Iben Meyer, Bjorn Forkman, Merete Fredholm, Carmen Glanville, Bernt Guldbrandtsen, Eliza Ruiz Izaguirre, Clare Palmer, Peter Sandoe
Summary: In the past two centuries, the life of dogs has undergone significant changes, transitioning from free-roaming to becoming human companions. While modern companion dogs experience good welfare in terms of security, nutritional needs, and veterinary care, they also face challenges such as unrealistic social demands and breeding-related diseases, resulting in poor welfare.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter Sandoe, Henning Otte Hansen, Bjorn Forkman, Peter van Horne, Hans Houe, Ingrid C. de Jong, Jorgen B. Kjaer, Soren Saxmose Nielsen, Clare Palmer, Helle Lottrup Halkjaer Rhode, Tove Christensen
Summary: There are two types of initiatives to ensure welfare in broiler production: welfare legislation and market driven initiatives. Sweden has higher legal standards, while market driven initiatives complement more welfare-limited Dutch legislation, improving broiler welfare.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cecilie Ravn Skovlund, Marlene Katharina Kirchner, Barbara Contiero, Signe Ellegaard, Xavier Manteca, Mikkel Stelvig, Oriol Tallo-Parra, Bjorn Forkman
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) to discern emotional state in zoo-housed polar bears, and to validate it through associations with behavioral and health-related indicators, as well as the consistency of QBA scores. The results showed that QBA was sensitive to emotional state and had some evidence of validity through its associations with other welfare indicators. QBA has the potential to be used as a tool to assess emotional state in polar bears with a single assessment in the short term.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
P. Sandoe, H. O. Hansen, E. A. M. Bokkers, P. S. Enemark, B. Forkman, M. J. Haskell, F. Lundmark Hedman, H. Houe, R. Mandel, S. S. Nielsen, E. M. de Olde, C. Palmer, C. S. Vogeler, T. Christensen
Summary: This paper examines animal welfare provisions in dairy cattle production across five EU countries and finds that Denmark and Sweden have the highest level of welfare provisions, followed by the United Kingdom. Germany and the Netherlands have lower levels of documented welfare provisions. The study also highlights differences in the elements of welfare focused on and the effect of national legislation or industry standards on welfare.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Denise Candiani, Julian European Food Safety Authority EFSA, Julian Drewe, Bjorn Forkman, Mette S. Herskin, Ann Van Soom, Gizella Aboagye, Sean Ashe, Maria Mountricha, Yves Van der Stede, Chiara Fabris
Summary: This scientific report aims to evaluate the welfare of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments and provide recommendations for policy options. The evaluations on housing, health, and painful procedures were conducted based on scientific literature and national regulations, with considerations given to provide scientific support and indicate areas lacking evidence.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anne Marie Michelsen, Franziska Hakansson, Vibe Pedersen Lund, Marlene Katharina Kirchner, Nina Dam Otten, Matthew Denwood, Tine Rousing, Hans Houe, Bjorn Forkman
Summary: Animal welfare is a growing concern, especially in the pig industry. This study aimed to identify and compare areas of animal welfare concern at different stages of commercial pig production. Welfare assessment protocols were created for each stage and experts assessed the severity of each measure. Between five and seven areas of concern were found for each production stage, mainly related to housing and inadequate space. It was found that animal-based measures were largely unaffected by deficits in resource-based measures.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Iben Meyer, Thomas Boker Lund, Peter Sandoe
Summary: It is well known that behavior problems in companion dogs affect the welfare of both the dogs and the owners. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for dog behavior problems by analyzing a representative sample of Danish dog owners. The study found that 34% of Danish dog owners surveyed perceived their dogs to have behavior problems, with fear and disobedience being the most common issues. The study also identified several factors, including age, dog's health, living environment, and training frequency, that may contribute to behavior problems in dogs.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY BEHAVIOR-CLINICAL APPLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
(2023)