Season's Greetings

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Christmas time pets
Photo: gurinaleksandr / Shutterstock

Season's Greetings from Companion Animal Psychology Blog!
We wish you Happy Holidays and all the best for a wonderful 2015.

Animated Christmas Reindeer Gif


By Zazie Todd, PhD



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Cats’ Im-purr-fect Homes are Stressing Them Out, Study Says

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Behaviour issues because of a poor home environment are the biggest welfare concern for cats, experts say.


By Zazie Todd, PhD

This page contains affiliate links.

Cats are incredibly popular pets. There are an estimated 95.6 million pet cats in the US, 10.9 million pet cats in the UK, and 9.3 million in Canada. They have a reputation as being easy pets, but is it possible that means we aren’t doing enough to keep our cats happy? New research published in Veterinary Record suggests that is the case.

Cat experts were surveyed for their opinions on the most important welfare issues for pet cats, and asked to rank them according to severity, duration, and prevalence.

Cat owners can avoid these issues by making sure they know about cats. Prof. Cathy Dwyer (Scotland's Rural College), co-author of the research, told me in an email,
“I would most want cat owners to understand more about cat behaviour – why cats do what they do, what they need for good welfare and how we can provide that for …
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What Are the Five Freedoms (and What do they Mean to You?)

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The five freedoms of animal welfare, the one most people miss, and what it means for pet owners.


By Zazie Todd, PhD

When you get a new puppy or kitten, no one tells you your new pet has five main welfare needs that need to be met. But maybe they should, because they provide a framework for how we should care for dogs, cats, and other pets. Read on to find out what they are, how many pet owners know them, and why they matter to you.

This page contains affiliate links.

The Five Freedoms
The Five Freedoms were originally defined by the UK’s Farm Animal Welfare Council in the 1960s, and subsequently updated. They are now understood to apply to the welfare of all animals, not just livestock.

The Five Freedoms are:

Freedom from hunger and thirst, by ready access to water and a diet to maintain health and vigour. Freedom from discomfort, by providing an appropriate environment. Freedom from pain, injury and disease, by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. Freedom to express normal behav…
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Companion Animal Psychology News November 2019

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The placebo effect in pets, the meaning of discipline, and stunning wildlife photos... this month's Companion Animal Psychology News.



By Zazie Todd, PhD

My favourites this monthJulie Hecht is an outstanding blogger who writes about the stuff dogs really want you to know about, like urine and humping and farts and a life worth living. As she bows out from her Scientific American blog Dogpies, don’t miss her final post, Dog science is timeless, and all the great posts it links to  And be sure to follow her on social media to keep up with what she does next.

"That leads me to wonder: why, despite increasing evidence, do some people deny that animals have emotions or feel pain?... I think it’s because it’s easier to hurt them if you think of them as dumb brutes. " Great interview with Carl Safina by Claudia Dreifus: Carl Safina is certain your dog loves you.

Indoor-only or outdoor access? A detailed, evidence-based consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of allowing …
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