Perception of Canine Welfare Concerns among Veterinary Students, Practitioners, and Behavior Specialists in Spain

Luño, Isabel; Palacio, Jorge; García-Belenguer, Sylvia; González‐Martínez, Ángela; Rosado, Belén

doi:10.3138/jvme.0516-097r1

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Behaviour problems, especially when long lasting, are considered an important welfare concern. [19][20][21][22] In fact, some forms of aggression, separation anxiety and phobias are usually classified as anxiety-related problems. 23 Dogs suffering from these problems may be predisposed to show emotional eating, as it occurs in human and laboratory animals, even this has to be further explored.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detection of owner‐perceived emotional eating in companion dogs: A regression modelling approach

et al. 2021

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Background: Emotional eating has been largely demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, but a recent survey conducted by the authors revealed that dog owners have also detected this phenomenon in their pets. However, due to the lack of diagnostic tools, veterinarians and researchers might encounter serious difficulties in detecting emotional eating in clinical settings. The present study aimed to explore different variables associated with owner perceived-emotional eating in companion dogs with the ultimate goal of designing a tool that could facilitate its detection. Methods:The mentioned survey included information on feeding habits, eating behaviour, temperament and emotional state of the dogs, as well as a specific question for assessing the owners' perception on emotional eating. From these data (n = 1137), a stochastic model based on binary logistic regression was used to design a regression model. Results and conclusion:The final model (r 2 = 0.179, p < 0.001) included a constant and nine variables and, of these, five did act as risk factors whereas the rest were considered as protective factors, in line with a congruent clinical perception. These variables could make up an easy-to-respond nine-item checklist to be answered by dog owners that could help veterinarians identify those companion dogs susceptible to emotional eating.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Behaviour problems, especially when long lasting, are considered an important welfare concern 19–22 . In fact, some forms of aggression, separation anxiety and phobias are usually classified as anxiety‐related problems 23 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of owner‐perceived emotional eating in companion dogs: A regression modelling approach

et al. 2021

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“…This will indirectly increase farm animals’ welfare, preventing animal health-related threats and minimizing environmental impacts, in support of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy [ 49 ]. A more structured teaching animal welfare in veterinary curricula is also required for those students who will deal with small animals in the future [ 50 ], especially if their specialization does not include behaviour [ 9 , 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Familiarity and Interest in Working with Livestock Decreases the Odds of Having Positive Attitudes towards Non-Human Animals and Their Welfare among Veterinary Students in Italy

Mariti

Pirrone

Albertini

et al. 2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryVeterinary students are the future generation of veterinary practitioners. Therefore, their attitudes towards non-human animals and animal welfare have a substantial impact on animal welfare itself. This study investigated the attitudes of veterinary students in Italy. The findings suggest that factors such as female gender, familiarity with pets, or the intention to work with pet species, as well as an animal-free diet, and membership in an animal rights association are the predictors of a very positive attitude towards animals and their welfare. Familiarity and intention to work with livestock is instead associated with a less positive attitude. Students also considered the freedom to express normal behaviours and the freedom from fear and distress to be less important for livestock than for pets. Veterinary curricula should take these findings into account to improve the attitudes of students in order to improve animal welfare, especially the welfare of livestock.AbstractWe investigated the attitudes of veterinary students towards animals and their welfare in Italy. Regression analyses revealed predictors that are significant in differentiating students’ scoring tendency based on their gender, familiarity, and intention to work with a specific animal species, type of diet, and membership in an animal rights association. Female students, who were mostly familiar with pets and aspired to work with species other than livestock, following an animal-free diet and being a member of an animal rights association, had a significantly greater odds of having a high Animal Attitude Scale score (AAS), i.e., very positive attitude towards animals, versus a less positive attitude. Conversely, the familiarity with livestock and preference for working with livestock significantly increased the odds of a low AAS. Overall, students considered all of the Brambell Report’s Five Freedoms important for animal welfare protection. However, students scored higher for companion animals than for livestock, particularly regarding the freedom to express normal behaviour and the absence of fear and distress. This study suggests that veterinary students place less importance on the psychological aspects of welfare for livestock, and there is a tendency for students who are mostly familiar, or aspire to work, with livestock to have a less positive attitude towards non-human animals and their welfare. These findings should be considered within the veterinary educational curriculum due to their potential impact on animal welfare.

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“…Veterinarians are expected to have a crucial role in ensuring and promoting high animal welfare standards [6,7]. However, the perception of animal welfare among veterinarians may vary depending on the level of education and professional practice [8]. As animal welfare is a relatively young field of science [9], the education following this science is still being actively developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opinions towards Companion Animals and Their Welfare: A Survey of Croatian Veterinary Students

Mikuš

Ostović

Sabolek

et al. 2020

Animals

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This survey was the first one investigating opinions of veterinary students in Croatia towards companion animals and their welfare, with special reference to dogs and cats as the most popular companion animals in the European Union. The study included students of all six years of the integrated undergraduate and graduate veterinary medicine study programme in Croatia. First-year students were surveyed twice, before and after having attended the course on animal welfare. Student opinions were assessed on the basis of their mean responses to five-point Likert scale questions and frequency of responses to Yes/No/I do not know questions and ratio scale questions. Study results revealed students to have strongly positive opinions towards companion animals and their welfare. The majority of student statements did not differ significantly between the first and sixth study years or before and after having attended the animal welfare course in the first study year, mostly yielding a straight, non-fluctuating line. Students were not sure whether welfare of companion dogs and cats was compromised. Study results pointed to reliable and reasonable opinions of veterinary medicine students in Croatia towards companion animals and their welfare, as well as to the welfare issues these species may be facing nowadays.

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Perception of Canine Welfare Concerns among Veterinary Students, Practitioners, and Behavior Specialists in Spain

Cited by 14 publications

References 24 publications

Detection of owner‐perceived emotional eating in companion dogs: A regression modelling approach

Detection of owner‐perceived emotional eating in companion dogs: A regression modelling approach

Familiarity and Interest in Working with Livestock Decreases the Odds of Having Positive Attitudes towards Non-Human Animals and Their Welfare among Veterinary Students in Italy

Opinions towards Companion Animals and Their Welfare: A Survey of Croatian Veterinary Students

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