Dog

Gestational enrichment of commercial breeding dams (Canis familiaris) influences offspring behaviour

The benefits of environmental enrichment for kennelled dog welfare have been widely demonstrated. Research in rodents shows that provision of maternal environmental enrichment during gestation can also influence the behavioural development of the offspring. However, the effects of prenatal enrichment...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Baqueiro-Espinosa, U., McEvoy, V., Donnelly, P. et al. 2025. Gestational enrichment of commercial breeding dams (Canis familiaris) influences offspring behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106779.

Effects of two types of environmental enrichment on the behavior of dogs in shelters

The domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, is commonly kept in shelters. In these locations, features such as confinement, forced intraspecific and interspecific contact, and lack of environmental stimulation can diminish the welfare of dogs. One way to avoid poor welfare...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Antonino, G. V., Lovestain, D. D. C., Burle, M. M. de C. et al. 2025. Effects of two types of environmental enrichment on the behavior of dogs in shelters. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 80, 28–38.

Individual preferences for scented water bowls in dogs

Introduction While food preferences have been extensively studied, much less is known about water preferences in dogs, especially regarding preferences for non-consumptive scented items attached to water bowls. As a form of sensory enrichment, scents can increase engagement and were...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Sonowal, R., Hall, N. J., Stellato, A. C. 2025. Individual preferences for scented water bowls in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals

Nonhuman animals use nonverbal cues to communicate their mental state about positive and negative events, including pain. Pain is a multidimensional process that elicits behavioral changes aimed at preventing further damage and promoting healing. These changes include restrictions on movement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Lanzoni, L. et al. 2025. Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Exploring the impact of a brief positive experience on dogs’ performance and stress resilience during a learning task

Learning and stress resilience can be influenced by recent experiences. Research has traditionally focused on the effects of negative situations and stressors on subsequent learning and stress resilience, while knowledge is limited regarding the effects of positive experiences. We aimed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive Testing, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Miller, J., Cavalli, C., Azadian, A. et al. 2025. Exploring the impact of a brief positive experience on dogs’ performance and stress resilience during a learning task. PLOS ONE 20(6), e0326368.

Classical cuts: A pilot study of classical music’s effects on dogs in grooming settings

Grooming procedures are often stressful for dogs due to exposure to loud noises, unfamiliar individuals, and the absence of their owners. This study aimed to assess whether classical music could reduce stress-related behaviours in dogs during grooming. Fifteen companion dogs...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Krupa, W., Czyżowski, P., Kaszycka, K. et al. 2025. Classical cuts: A pilot study of classical music’s effects on dogs in grooming settings. Animal Cognition 28(1), 60.

Music as a perioperative, non-pharmacological intervention in veterinary medicine. Establishing a feasible framework for music implementation and future perspectives with a focus on the perioperative period of dogs and cats

Research in human medicine has provided sufficient evidence to support music’s incorporation into the perioperative period, suggesting it as a significant non-pharmacological adjunct in terms of a multimodal approach, which should be available to all surgical patients. The literature regarding...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Cat, Dog

Citation: Georgiou, S. G., Galatos, A. D. 2025. Music as a perioperative, non-pharmacological intervention in veterinary medicine. Establishing a feasible framework for music implementation and future perspectives with a focus on the perioperative period of dogs and cats. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are attracting interest as potential measures for dog welfare and human-dog interactions. The potential for detection and measurement of these two neuropeptides in canine saliva provides a viable alternative to more invasive collection methods. This...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: De Santis, M., Soncin, M., Bertazzo, V. et al. 2025. A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog. Animals 15(16), 2421.

Mental Health and Well-being in Animals

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Fish, Gibbon, Goat, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Parrot, Pig, Rabbit, Reptile, Salmon, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, F. D. (Ed.) 2025. Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (3rd ed.). CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK. 464 p.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.