Science

May- 2013 -

24 May

DNA testing discount for breed clubs

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is launching a new discount scheme for breed clubs, which it hopes will encourage dog owners to make the most of its parentage and DNA profiling tests. The veterinary charity offers a wide range of services to improve dog health including tests for over 20…

1 May

RVC research highlights urgent welfare issues for pet dogs

Research from the Royal Veterinary College has highlighted urgent issues that need to be rectified for the improvement of pet dog welfare in Britain. These include owners’ lack of awareness of welfare needs, poor health due to obesity, inherited disease or exaggerated physical features, intensive and unregulated puppy rearing and…

Apr- 2013 -

24 April

Cat owners’ open door policy is creating stress

More than 40 per cent of cat owners say their homes are entered by neighbourhood cats trying to gain attention, shelter, food or to attack the resident cat. The stress this can cause is underestimated by owners, says researcher Jon Bowen, animal behaviour consultant at the Royal Veterinary College, and…

Jan- 2013 -

24 January

Did dogs evolve in dumps?

Research scientists believe that dogs’ penchant for bin-rummaging could be intrinsically linked with their evolution from the wolf. A new study of dog genetics has revealed that numerous genes involved in starch metabolism backs up an idea that some dogs emerged from wolves as a result of digesting scavenged food…

4 January

Wild birds left to starve by 76 per cent of Brits

Despite 61 per cent of Britons owning a bird bath, table or nesting box – to attract wild birds to their gardens – recent figures have revealed that 76 per cent rarely, or do not, feed the birds over the winter months. The survey was conducted by Pets at Home,…

Dec- 2012 -

18 December

Cats naturally pick and mix their food, research says

Has Felix ever turned its nose up at your latest offering of cat food? Well there could be good reason, according to research that says cats are naturally tuned to be fussy eaters. The research was conducted by scientists from the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition – the science centre…

14 December

Grooming builds bond between pets, Mikki research says

Recent research conducted by grooming, training and healthcare expert Mikki has highlighted a positive trend in grooming building better relationships with pets and owners. The survey was conducted from almost 200 pet owners and was aimed at promoting the importance of grooming in building relationships. To further enhance the findings,…

4 December

Tracking technology makes more contented dogs

A study into dogs’ behaviour when off the lead has led to the conclusion that dogs are more content with their surroundings and other dogs when they are off the lead and owners aren’t agitated. The research was conducted in collaboration with Retrieva Tracking and found that dogs’ behaviour changed…

Nov- 2012 -

12 November

London chicken-keepers could be unwittingly spreading disease

The Royal Veterinary College has published research showing that chicken-keepers in the Greater London area have a lack of disease knowledge and insufficient awareness of laws which could potentially have implications on welfare – despite good living conditions. Published in the journal British Poultry Science by Taylor & Francis, the article…

Oct- 2012 -

24 October

New online holistic pet care course launched

A leading holistic vet is offering a course covering the fundamental principles of natural pet care. Holly Mash, the author of The Holistic Dog – a complete guide to natural health care, is offering the distance learning course which is fully downloadable by enrolling at http://www.civtedu.org/how-to-enrol. Entrants who complete the…