L5 welfare of Cats and Dogs

Species-specific needs dogs

Dogs need conditions based on their natural ecology as social scavengers – social interaction – exploration and movement – cognitive stimulation – space and ability to avoid conflict – important idea is that most dogs worldwide are free-ranging so pet dogs still carry these natural needs

Species-specific needs cats

Cats need conditions based on being flexible social hunters – multiple small meals – hunting-like play – exploration – vertical space – environmental control – cats are not strictly solitary but need choice in social interaction

Why species-specific needs matter

Welfare is not only food and health care – animals must be able to express natural behaviour – dogs need social contact and movement – cats need hunting behaviour and control over space and interactions

Human animal relationship dogs

Dogs form attachment bonds with humans including – proximity seeking – distress when separated – using owner as safe base – seeking comfort – good relationships reduce stress while insecure attachment reduces this buffering effect

Human animal relationship cats

Cats also form social bonds with humans shown by – slow blinking – purring – head bunting – staying close – misinterpreting cats as independent or selfish can reduce welfare because needs are ignored

Effect of owner behaviour on dogs

Owner style can be described as – warmth – social support – control – dogs with warm owners react less fearfully and aggressively while harsh or low warmth interactions increase stress responses

Training methods dogs

Reward based training improves welfare – better learning – more positive interaction – less stress – punishment based training causes fear pain and long term negative welfare effects

Training methods cats

Cats are also affected by training – aversive methods like spraying water or loud noise work through fear – this reduces welfare – better to manage environment and use positive interactions

Subtle effect of reward inconsistency dogs

Even positive training can cause stress if inconsistent – dogs rewarded only sometimes after a click showed a pessimistic bias meaning they expect negative outcomes more often

Genetic factors breeds dogs

Breeds are human selected populations – selection affects behaviour health and morphology – examples include brachycephalic breathing problems and breed differences in fearfulness or aggression

Why breed matters dogs

Welfare problems arise when breed traits do not match lifestyle – example high energy working breeds kept as inactive pets – or physical traits causing health issues – expectations can damage relationship

Genetic factors cats

Breed effects in cats exist but are less studied – some behavioural tendencies differ by breed – response to objects may be influenced by genetics especially paternal effects

Early development dogs periods

Dogs have key developmental phases – primary period early dependency – socialization period where exposure reduces fear – later period reinforcing experiences – early life shapes adult behaviour

Importance of socialization dogs

Poor socialization leads to fear aggression and behaviour problems – can result in abandonment euthanasia or failure as working dogs – early life has long term welfare consequences

Socialization vs trauma dogs

Exposure must be gradual and positive – too strong or frightening exposure causes sensitization and trauma instead of reducing fear

Isolation study dogs

Puppies not exposed to humans before about 14 weeks cannot form normal human relationships later – shows existence of a critical socialization window

Early development cats

Kittens have key socialization period around 2 to 7 weeks – learn from littermates and especially from the mother – early experience shapes later social behaviour

Handling effects cats

Early handling improves interaction with humans later – but response to objects is more influenced by genetics than by handling

Maternal effects cats

Mother presence is crucial – orphaned kittens show more stress behaviours – mother provides social learning and stability

Environment enrichment dogs

Dog welfare depends on environment – need enrichment interaction predictable routines space and choice – risk factors include isolation restriction overcrowding and stress exposure

Environment enrichment cats

Cat welfare depends on complexity and control – need hiding places vertical space hunting opportunities and social choice – poor environments cause stress behaviours like hiding and overgrooming

Indoor vs outdoor cats

Indoor living improves safety and owner relationship – outdoor gives stimulation but increases risks – controlled outdoor access can be a compromise

Welfare indicators dogs positive

Positive signs include – play – relaxed posture – exploration – affiliative behaviour – resilience after stress

Welfare indicators dogs negative

Negative signs include – aggression – excessive barking – separation problems – stereotypies – fear and stress behaviours

Welfare indicators cats positive

Positive signs include – play – exploration – affiliative behaviour – normal grooming – relaxed interaction with humans

Welfare indicators cats negative

Negative signs include – hiding – reduced activity – inappropriate elimination – overgrooming – stress related changes

Subtle stress dogs

Humans often miss subtle signals such as – lip licking – yawning – blinking – avoidance – missing these can allow stress to escalate

Subtle stress cats

Cats show subtle stress through – hiding – reduced interaction – small posture changes – facial expressions such as grimace scale for pain

Why subtle stress matters

Missing early stress signals leads to chronic stress fear or aggression – especially important because fear can lead to aggression in dogs

Main risk factors dogs

Key risks include – punishment training – lack of enrichment – isolation – inconsistent routines – overcrowding – poor socialization – breed related issues

Main risk factors cats

Key risks include – poor environment – lack of stimulation – forced social contact – aversive handling – poor socialization – misinterpretation of behaviour

Dogs vs cats social system

Dogs are generally social and group living – cats are flexible and can be solitary or social – welfare requires meeting these different social needs

Dogs vs cats feeding ecology

Dogs are scavengers adapted to varied food sources – cats are hunters needing small frequent meals – welfare must reflect these differences

Dogs vs cats stress expression

Dogs often show visible and subtle behavioural signals – cats more often show withdrawal and hiding – both require species specific interpretation

Complete take home message

Good welfare requires combining species needs human relationship training genetics early development environment and correct reading of stress signals for both dogs and cats