2 Companion Animal Welfare Flashcards
Companion vs pet
Might use the word pet when we talk about some of the lower order animals (fish, reptiles) to establish further distance between us and the animals.
Anthropomorphic selection and example
Giving human traits or attributes to animals; not traits based on survival but traits that we like
We choose particular traits that are appealing to us. For example, we like the puppy behaviour so we breed dogs to show that behaviour.
- labs act as puppies for the first 12 years of their life and we get surprised when the animal becomes dependent on us though we bred them to do so
People believe that dogs leave messes because they are angry when people go out for the day. And of course, when they come home they believe the dogs “know they did bad” because of an anthropomorphic misinterpretation of the look on their dog’s face.
Drawbacks of anthropomorphic selection
We’re setting the dog up for failure; some of these behaviours that we have bred into these animals eventually clash with our lifestyle and they end up medicated or euthanised bc people can’t cope with the dog
Separation anxiety
Dogs typically eliminate, vocalise or engage in destructive behaviour when alone
Dog bites: two main forms of dog-human aggression
- offensive aggression: securing/defending vital resource/place against unwanted intrusion
- defensive aggression: countering a perceived/actual threat asserted by rival
Offensive aggression (3)
Occurs in situations in which:
- fear low, anger high
- other motivations such as hunger may be influential
- previous aggression under similar circumstances have been successful
For example, if a dog is protecting a bone from a human because they are worried it will be taken away, they may growl. If that works (I.e. the human leaves them alone), they will learn that this sort of behaviour is rewarded (I.e. they got to keep their bone).
Defensive aggression characteristics (3)
- high fear
- escape/avoidance opportunities are limited (if cant flee, forced to fight)
- previous aggression may have been successful
Behaviour problems (cats) (4)
- scratching furniture
- eating plants
- aggression (cats and human)
- house soil
Behaviour problems (dogs) (5)
- agression
- obedience and control
- house soil
- vocalisation (barking)
- over excitable
Behaviour problems (horses) (3)
- stable “vices”: undesirable habits that often develop as a result of being confined in a stable with insufficient exercise, boredom, hunger, excess energy or isolation
- agression
- misbehaviour under saddle
Behaviour problems (others)
- rabbits: aggression (problem chewing)
- reptiles: stereotypical pacing leading to injury, aggression
- caged birds: biting, screaming feather picking and self mutilation
- mice and rats: stress; barbering (remove all the hair and whiskers off a more submissive animal thats housed with them
hamsters etc: compulsive wheel running
Causes of behaviour problems: general (4)
- ordinary species typical behaviour (a lot of these are not problematic for the animal at all)
- attempt at coping (eg confinement)
- reinforced behaviour
- pathophysiology (disease)
- eg a dog chasing it’s tail could indicate broken bone
Causes of behaviour problems: reinforced behaviour
Many animals learn to do certain behaviours to gain the attention of their owner. Sometimes can accidentally teach pet wrong response
Owner’s role in behaviour problems (6)
- obedience training
- feeding dogs after the owner
- dogs sleeping near owner
- level of owner attachment
- owner experience
- reason for acquiring dog (companionship, protection, exercise, showing)
Obedience training: advantages (3)
- less competitive aggression
- less roaming and escaping
- fewer problems with separation
Dominance vs territorial aggression
Dominance: around people
Territorial: around places
Owner’s role (dogs sleeping near owner)
- more separation problems
- competitive aggression
What do owners typically expect when getting a new dog?
Often people will expect their pets to act/have a certain personality just bc of their previous experiences with the same breed. Need to understand that same breed does not mean same animal.
perception of over vs underweight dogs
Obese dogs are at higher risk of dying compared to underweight, but we react completely differently to both
Obese=chonky boi <3
Skinny=ewww
Definition of overweight and how to check (2)
10-25% over the optimum weight for the breed. Can refer to either:
- breed standard
- body condition score (BCS)
BCS 2 (3)
Underweight
- ribs easily palpated (felt) and may be visible with no palpable fat
- tops of lumbar vertebrae visible
- obvious waist and abdominal tuck
BCS 3 (2)
Ideal
- ribs palpable without excess fat covering
- abdomen tucked up when viewed from side
BCS 4 (4)
Overweight
- fleshy appearance
- ribs palpable with difficulty
- fat deposits over lumbar spine and tail base
- abdominal tuck may be absent
BSC 5 (3)
Obese
- large fat deposits over chest, spine and tail base; neck and limbs too
- waist and abdominal tuck absent
- abdomen distended (bulging)
Problem with being overweight (general)
Causes/complicates many veterinary conditions such as arthritis, joint problems, organ failure
Causes of overweight (dog specific factors)
3% bc of dog factors
- gender/reproductive status
- breed
- age
Causes of overweight (human specific factors) (3)
97%
- diet (quantity and quality)
- exercise (intensity and duration)
- treats
Overweight: Diet (food scraps vs dried food)
Less likely to have overweight dogs with dry food than table scraps
- table scraps not quantifiable and contains more fat
- dry food has instructions accompanied with it (cups can be a vague measurement, but better than nothing)
Overweight: Feeding Frequency
More likely to be normal weight when fed 2x a day
- 3x more likely to be obese as if we’re making a mistake with measurements, i will be multiplied three times a day
- 1x also more as we give the entire ration of food first thing in the morning
- -> food coma, converted to fat and slows down metabolism
Overweight: Exercise
Dogs must be walked regularly. Often owners think leaving their dog in their big yard will be enough. They expect the dog to exercise itself when in reality the dog just sleeps.
Owners vs. vets expectations
Vets should try to be empathetical with owner and be careful with the language they use. Owners often feel worried about going to the vet as they might promote their own expensive product as a necessity (or owner will perceive it that way)
Vets should advice to reduce intake (cheap) vs modify diet ($$$) as an initial strategy
