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Big dogs vs. small dogs: Which sizes face higher risks of which diseases?A study of more than 25,000 U.S. dogs and 238 breeds has linked dog size to varying patterns of risk for health conditions over the course of a dog's lifespan. Yunbi Nam of the University of Washington, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.... Read more
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Meta-analysis seeks to explain why dogs wag their tailsA team of biologists, life scientists and animal researchers affiliated with several institutions across Europe and one in the U.S., has conducted a meta-analysis of dog tail wagging to find out if the combined efforts of multiple research efforts might explain the behavior. In their paper published in the journal... Read more
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Dogs are not always frustrated when they get a lesser treat for their work, study findsIn animals, and often in humans too, performance is significantly impaired when the value of the reward for work is reduced. Argentinian and Hungarian researchers have studied what happens when family dogs are forced to switch from a cooked liver reward snack to dry food. The results show that dogs... Read more
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The more relaxed a horse is the better it is at learning new tasks, study findsEquine scientists at Nottingham Trent University wanted to see how the level of arousal in horses—the extent to which they might be excited or stressed for instance—affected their performance in a cognitive task.... Read more
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Researchers develop an assessment system for fish healthThe welfare of fish drives Dr. Beate Hoppe and her team every day. The animal keepers, scientists and veterinarians at the Leibniz Institute for Ageing Research (FLI) in Jena have spent six years meticulously collecting and evaluating data and have now published their findings in the Journal of the American... Read more
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TikTok says orange cats are 'dumb' and tortoiseshell cats have 'an attitude'—but how true is that?If you've watched cat videos on social media lately, you may have encountered the idea a cat's coat color tells us something about their personality.... Read more
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Exploring common types of feline mangeMange is a skin disease that can compromise a pet's well-being, leading to discomfort and potential health complications. Though it is a more common condition for dogs, cats can also be at risk, which is why owners should familiarize themselves with common varieties of feline mange.... Read more
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New findings reveal koalas' health risks following bushfires, will aid in future rescue effortsA new publication featured in Veterinary Sciences will guide future wildlife rescue and rehabilitation after Australian bushfires. These findings provide critical information for improving koala care during subsequent fire seasons.... Read more
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A unique approach to detecting and predicting dog mobility issuesVeterinary researchers at the University of Liverpool, along with partners at Dogs Trust, have developed a unique approach to detecting and predicting dog mobility issues.... Read more
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In the interests of animal welfare and public health, researchers make a case for improved farm animal conditionsResearch shows that three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases are passed from animals to humans; an illness of this type is known as zoonosis (plural: zoonoses). Farm animals, especially pigs and poultry, pose a high risk of zoonotic infection.... Read more
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Dogs can terrify (and even kill) wildlife. How to be a responsible owner this summerIn Australia, dog ownership often goes hand-in-hand with a love for the great outdoors. Whether it's walking on the beach, going camping, or having a barbecue in the park, we tend to keep our canine companions close as we soak up the sun.... Read more
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Scientists discover why chicken farms are a breeding ground for antibiotic resistant bacteriaScientists from the University of Nottingham are one step closer to understanding how bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella enterica, share genetic material which makes them resistant to antibiotics.... Read more
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Exposure to cigarette smoke found to increase cancer risk in dogsDogs are humans' best friends. Need to quickly locate a bomb? There's a dog for that. Can't see very well? There's a dog for that. Searching for a lost hiker in the mountains or survivors in an earthquake, diagnosing illness, comforting the bereft—there are dogs for every need.... Read more
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Chicken whisperers: Humans crack the clucking codeA University of Queensland-led study has found humans can tell if chickens are excited or displeased, just by the sound of their clucks.... Read more
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Are catnip and treats like it safe for cats? Here's how they affect their minds and moodsCats kept indoors can live a good life when they get access to a variety of positive experiences. Examples include performing natural behaviors, feeling safe at home and using their full sensory capabilities, including their sense of smell.... Read more