1,721,020 research outputs found
Exposure to Valeriana officinalis scent facilitates medical procedures in stray and shelter cats
No full textExposure to Valeriana officinalis scent facilitates medical procedures in stray and shelter cats
Normando S.1, Gislon V.1, Accorsi P.A.2, Carloni E.2
1Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali Veterinarie,Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy; 2Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]
Olfactory stimuli have been found to affect the behaviour of domestic cats (Ellis, S.L.H . and Wells, D.L . 2010. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 123(1): 56-62). The aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to the scent of Valeriana officinalis dried roots affected the response of stray and rescue shelter cats to handling and medical procedures.
Twelve healthy adult cats (seven females, five males) were manipulated both in control condition (no valerian) and in the experimental condition (valerian scent), in random order, and scored for their response to being petted, being fit a tourniquet on one of their front paws and being subjected to an ear inspection. Scores ranged from –1 (very aggressive response, cat impossible or almost impossible to touch) to 4 (cat seeking non aggressive social interaction with tester, purring, kneading).
During exposure to valerian scent the cats reacted significantly better (i.e., less aggressively and less fearfully) to the procedures than during the control condition (Wilcoxon Signed Rank test; p=0.002).
It is concluded that Valeriana officinalis olfactory stimulation could be an useful aid in handling stray and shelter cats during medical procedures
Spontaneous quantity discrimination in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus)
No full textSPONTANEOUS QUANTITY DISCRIMINATION IN THE DOMESTIC CAT (Felis silvestris catus)
Carloni E.1, Normando S.2, Regolin L.3, Accorsi P.A.1
1Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali - Università di Bologna, E-mail [email protected] 2Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali Veterinarie - Università di Padova, 3Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale - Università di Padova
This pilot study investigated domestic cat’s spontaneous ability to discriminate food quantity based on acoustic rather than visual cues, and on representational memory. The discrimination threshold was set at 4 versus 2 pieces of dry food pellets. Cats were rewarded whatever choice they made, but they could not access food used as stimulus. Food pellets were not patently showed to subjects during stimulus phase, but cats could hear single pellets falling into two steel cans, thus they received clear acoustic cues. Visual hints consisted merely in the hands of the researcher held above cans. Olfactory cues were neutralised by compensatory food odour diffusers. Since cats could not see food pellets, acoustic short-term representational memory was involved in the choice process. Approach, orientation towards and investigation of one of the two cans were interpreted as choice for its content. Twelve cats were tested in absence of previous training in their home environment. Each subject received 12 trials. Relative position and order of presentation of large and small food amounts were counterbalanced. The results provide evidence of quantity discrimination since choice for the larger amount of food clearly prevailed
Feeding dogs from raised bowls – a survey of the practice among Italian owners.
No full textFeeding dogs from raised bowls is gaining popularity among owners, although being cited among the factors increasing the risk of gastric dilatation-volvolus in giant breeds. We aimed at investigating the prevalence of the practice among Italian owners, their stated reasons for it and whether it was associated to a different prevalence of health issues or undesirable behaviors. A convenience sample was recruited via social media and online filled-in questionnaires concerning 715 dogs were collected (mean age ± SD, 5.2±3.57 years, mean weight=19.4 Kg, SD=12.2 kg). One-hundred and eighty owners (25.2%) declared to feed their dogs from raised bowls, thirty-eight of which stated they did so following veterinary advice. Thirty-one mentioned prevention of gastric dilatation-volvolus as the reason for their choice (12 having been advised on the topic by vets), 33 other advantages linked to easier swallowing or digestion. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of health issues or undesirable behaviors between dogs fed from raised bowls and those fed from non-raised bowls.
When dogs were divided in size categories according to their stated height at the withers, bigger dogs were more often said to be fed from raised bowls than smaller ones (p<0.001). Sighthounds being reported to be 43 cm or more tall at the withers were more often (p<0.05) fed from raised bowls than dogs of the same size category even if they were not taller. It is concluded the practice of feeding dogs from raised bowls is relatively widespread especially among bigger dogs and sighthounds owners and, therefore, both more scientific studies on its actual effect on dogs’ health and more widespread information on them are needed
SHOULD THE CAT BE ALLOWED TO ROAM FREE? A CUSTOMIZED VERSION OF THE MODIFIED POTTER BOX ETHICAL PROCEDURE.
No full textIs ‘history’ repeating itself? The case of fish and arthropods’ sentience and welfare
No full textAnimal welfare is an important concern in modern society. The most common ethical underpinning of animal welfare is the concept of sentience. However, there is no agreement yet on the definition of sentience and on which features are essential for a species to be classified as sentient. Unsurprisingly, hot debates flare up periodically about whether a certain species could be considered as sentient and thus on whether its welfare should be granted. In the present paper, we outline the repetitive tendency of such debates, using fish and arthropods as an example. Up to now, these debates tend to end with the vast majority of researchers either recognising sentience in the target species or advising the use of the precautionary principle and thus tentatively act as if the species is sentient in order to take decisions regarding its welfare status. The debate then usually moves to a species progressively less similar to humans and the cycle of the ‘sliding scale’ begins anew. In view of this tendency, we discuss whether it would be advisable to reject the idea of a sliding scale when welfare relevant decisions are at stake
Satisfaction and satisfaction affecting problem behavior in different types of adopted dogs
Full text linkMany dogs are relinquished worldwide, so it is important to enhance adoptions’ success. We aimed at investigating factors associated with owners’ satisfaction with adopted dogs, both in general and focusing on galgos. Data on 392 dogs (191 galgos) were gathered using an online survey, investigating dogs’ and owners’ demographics, satisfaction with the adopted dog and post-adoption behavior. Satisfaction was affected by different variables in galgos’ owners as compared to non-sighthound non-podenco dogs’ ones, with only the presence of disobedience on walks negatively affecting satisfaction in both samples. Depending on dogs’ type, the presence of some behavioral problems was associated with decreased satisfaction with the dog (e.g., destructiveness for galgos, or separation problems for non-sighthound non-podenco dogs), whereas that of others increased it (e.g., not being interested in social interactions with dogs for galgos, and shadowing for non-sighthound non-podenco dogs). The variables most often being predictors of the behaviors influencing satisfaction were dog type, with being a galgo as a negative predictor, and dog’s age, with being older as a negative predictor. Further studies on dog adopters’ satisfaction are needed
The dark side of beauty in companion animals: can we speak about genetic abuse?
Full text linkthe role of companion animals, especially dogs and cats, in human
society, has changed in the last century and nowadays they are considered
not only moral subjects, but even family members with a deep affective bond
with their human partners. Many ethical principles support the needs to face
the companion animals’ welfare issues in all their facets included the selective
breeding. Scientific evidences highlight the impact of unethical breeding
practices for the health and welfare of pedigree cats and dogs both at individual
and population level. Over-type, inbreeding depression and reduction of genetic
variability have caused the spread of inherited diseases with detrimental
consequences for animals and negative impacts on their owners. Therefore,
unhealthy and unethical breeding practices can be considered a genetic
abuse and they can’t be justify anymore thanks to the development of DNA
technologies, new diagnostic instruments and the preventive actions that can
be applied through suitable breeding programs. Nowadays cattery clubs, kennel
clubs and veterinary associations should act to increase breeders’ awareness
about health and welfare concerns in pedigree dogs and cats and to support
them in their breeding choices. Moreover education programs and welfare
certification systems could be possible tools to improve the sector
Investigating the effects of matching to caretakers’ preference on satisfaction in different types of adopted dogs using the Kano model alongside with more traditional methods
No full textMany dogs are relinquished worldwide, therefore may be important to enhance the success of adoptions through appropriate matching of dog and perspective caretaker, if possible. This exploratory study aimed to investigate whether matching to caretakers’ preferences in some dog characteristics was associated with an increase in caretakers’ declared satisfaction with their dogs using a Kano model approach, alongside more common inferential ones, such as logistic regressions (alpha = 0.005). We also aimed to investigate whether there were differences between rescued galgos from Spain and other dogs in this regard. Data on 400 dogs (of which 193 were galgos,) were gathered using an online survey and convenience sampling. The questionnaire included a satisfaction score and some Kano model questions assessing the relevance of matching dog and caretaker's preferences regarding activity level, affection shown, self-confidence/boldness and color. Matching to caretakers’ preferences in activity level, affection, boldness were Kano model Exciters (not expected positive features) for most respondents, whereas matching to preferred color was an indifferent one. Respondents having adopted more than 180 days previously answered they found matching to preference in activity (P < 0.0001) and color (P = 0.003) indifferent more often than respondents who had just adopted ≤45 days before. Matching in affection shown, activity level and in preferred color were significantly associated with the dogs being given the maximum score in perceived satisfaction by the respondents (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). This outcome was not the case for self-assurance when the restrictive alpha for exploratory studies was applied. Further studies on the effects of matching to different behavioral and morphologic characteristics on adopters’ satisfaction are needed
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Feline Strays in the Venice Area (2020–2022) in the Experience of Cat Rescue Organization Volunteers
Full text linkThis short communication introduces the reader to challenges faced by a cat rescue
organization (Dingo-Venezia ONLUS) operating in the Venice area during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The area around Venice houses more than 1,500 cat
colonies, in the mainland and in a number of densely inhabited isles. During COVID-19
restrictions, providing for animals was recognized as a legitimate cause to circulate,
but there was uncertainty about the procedure to obtain such recognition. Volunteers
chose to go and feed the animals nonetheless, even with the risk of incurring legal consequences. During restrictions, there was an increase of cat adoption demands,
but also in cat relinquishment, and a general decrease in donations due to the economic crisis. Although not reporting experimentally sourced data, this paper affords
the reader an informed insight into the challenges due to COVID-19 restriction, directly
from the experience of an established Italian cat rescue organizatio
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