Companion Animals- ANS 150

--> 300,000 years ago in North China

--> 400,000 years ago in Kent, England

Where and when were wolf bones first found alongside humans?

10,000 B.C (12,000 years ago) in modern-day Germany

When were dogs domesticated and where?

wolves or jackals

What were the precursors to the modern dogs?

companionship

Why were dogs domesticated?

3000-4000 years ago, by the Roman Empire

When did distinct dog breeds become present?

bitch

female dog

stud

intact male dog

puppy

young dog of either sex

Whelping

parturition in dogs

spaying

ovariohysterectomy

avg. 9 days
range - 3-21 days

What is the average and range in duration of estrus among dogs?

183 days

What is the average estrous cycle length?

breed

What is estrous and estrus cycle length influenced by?

the OS penis, the small bone in the head of the penis the bulbus glandis. So, penetration can be achieved without an erection

What is unique about about breeding in dogs?

when the dog's penis is inside the vagina and the erection occurs and the os penis swells and is locked in. (ew)

What is the "tie"?

Pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy). About 50-75% of intact female dogs are predicted to experience this. It is believed to be left over from ancestors.

What is a common abnormality among bitches? What percentage of bitches are predicted to show symptoms and why?

Bark: territorial for most, can be altered in tone and amplitude to mean different things. typically directed at unfamiliar people or dogs, this is selected for by humans.
Whine: care soliciting behavior (signifies pain, fright, or mild frustration).
Howl: not well deciphered, probably how dogs communicate among themselves, distinguished between puppy and adult howls.
Growl: Aggressive or distance-increasing call of dogs

Described the four dog auditions.

face, tail, ears, mouth, and hair. also their body, whether they are standing or lying

What can you observe to detect a dogs mood?

--> tail down
--> ears down
--> standing upright

Describe a neutral mood for a dog?

--> tail up
--> ears up
--> standing upright, front leg raised or on toes.

Describe an aroused or interested dog's posture?

--> tail up and wagging
--> ears erect
--> standing up and moving
--> gesturing with front paws

Describe a play-soliciting posture in dogs.

--> tail wagging over a wide range
--> ear erect
--> more exaggerated motion with front paws

Describe an active greeting posture in dogs.

--> tail up
--> ear erect
--> weight on front feet
--> exposed teeth

Describe a dog's aggressive posture.

--> tail tucked
--> ears back and down
--> weight on rear feet
--> exposed teeth

Describe a scared dog's posture?

--> tail tucked
--> ears back and down
--> crouching on all fours or rolling over to expose the belly

Describe a Submissive dog's posture?

--> younger new owners
--> decreased contact during day between dog and owners (covid puppies)

Why is destructiveness increasing among dogs?

--> breed
--> boredom
--> separation anxiety
--> barrier frustration

What are the contributing factors to a dog's destructiveness?

around 20 days

At what age does mouthing begin in dogs?

23-25 days

At what age do play soliciting behaviors begin in puppies?

around 30 days

When does fighting begin in puppies?

around 33 days of age

When does snapping begin in puppies?

around 40 days of age

When does face licking begin in puppies?

Begins around 25-30 days of age. Growl is first, then Bark, then Whine.

When do dogs begin to growl, bark and whine? What order does it occur in?

Draw the chronological development of selected behaviors in dogs

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE: you must socialize dogs early

saber-tooth tigers around 35 million years ago across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

What animal were the pre-historic ancestors of cats? When and where did they live?

12 mill years old

How old are the oldest fossils of modern-day cats?

~4000 B.C. (6000 years ago) in Egypt

When and where did the domestication of cats begin?

Religion and companionship

Why were cats domesticated?

African bush cats

What animals are considered to be the ancestors of modern-day cats?

middle of the 19th century

When were cat breeds defined?

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE: pedigrees were used for cats in the mid 1800s

kittens

young cats of either sex

Queen

female cat

Tom

male cat

Queening

cat parturition

Calling

the sound queens make that is associated with mating

cats are induced ovulators

What is unique about a cats estrous cycle?

they will not ovulate during estrus unless they are bred by a tom

What does it mean to be an induced ovulator?

13-15 days on average but it can range from 10-22 days

How long is the estrous cycle of an unmated queen?

it has spurs that stimulate the vaginal nerves that run up to the brain to induce ovulation by releasing LH.

What is unique about the Tom cats penis?

No, they can be induced at anytime

Are cats seasonal breeders?

they have periods during which mating will likely not result in pregnancy and periods in which it will

Although cats can be induced at any time, why are cats less likely to get pregnant sometimes?

they have the most "pure sounds" in their vocabulary

What is unique about cat auditions?

Murmur

soft noise when exhaling; requesting or greeting

Purr

soft, buzzlike sound; most commonly used in social situations

growl

harsh, low-pitched; agnostic encounters

Squeak

high-pitched raspy sound; playing, greeting, anticipation of pleasant stimuli

Shriek

loud, harsh high-pitched sound; pain or aggressive situations.

Hiss

agnostic sound produced when mouth is open and teeth are exposed; most often associated with defensive aggression

Spit

short, sound after or before a hiss; agnostic situations

Mew

high-pitched, medium amplitude sound that sounds like a "long e"; mother/kitten interactions

Moan

low frequency and long duration sound that sounds like an "o: or "u"; begging to be released or is used when the cat wants to do something or is being restrained.

Meow

characteristic feline sound; usually used as a greeting

tail, face, ears, mouth, and hair

What can be used to help determine a cats mood?

cats

Who has more variation in postures/expressions, cats or dogs?

instead of lying down, cats crouch.

What is different between cat and dogs expressions?

--> Greeting or investigating: tail is high
--> Hunting: tail is low and wagging

What are in general tail positions in cats and their meanings?

--> walking on tiptoes
--> head lowered
--> back arched
--> hair raised
--> mouth open with teeth exposed

What are the general signs of aggression in cats?

--> small (constricted) = aggression

--> large (dilated) = becoming defensive/threatened

What do a cat's pupils mean when they are small vs large?

Draw the chronological development of selected behaviors in cats.

handle and play with them early on.

What is very important to do early with cats?

clawing, wool-sucking, and plant eating

What are some examples of destructiveness in cats?

related to territorial aggression, stimulated by the presence of novel cats, pets, or people.

When does clawing happen?

it is poorly understood but may be related to being weaned to early, and decreases when hunger decreases

When does wool sucking occur?

Rabbits have 4 upper incisors where rodents only have 2

Why are rabbits not classified as rodents?

30-37 million years

when do rabbit-like fossils date back to?

Phoenicians traders visiting Spain

Who are responsible for transporting rabbits around the world?

French Monks during Middle Ages

When were rabbits domesticated and by whom were they domesticated by?

latter portion of the 19th century

When were rabbits introduced into Australia and New Zealand?

45 different breeds, 5 classifications based on size and weight, there are dwarf, small, medium, large, and giant breeds.

How many breeds are currently recognized by breeders? What are they classified by and as?

Buck

adult male rabbit

Does

adult female rabbit

Young

kits or bunnies

Kindling

birthing process for rabbits

to prevent the high incidence of uterine cancer

Why is neutering recommended?

5 to 12 years

How long do rabbits live?

5 to 8 months

When do Rabbits reach puberty?

yes, no consistent estrous cycle

Are rabbits induced ovulators?

30 to 34 days

How long is gestation in rabbits?

Grooming

show of affection in affection and also important for preventing external parasites

Bunny Bucks

jump up in air and kick out rear feet (happy)

Circling

when rabbits hop in circles around owners (happy)

Nipping can be playful or a warning where biting is a sign of anger

What is the difference between nipping and biting?

low grunt and rhythmic grinding of teeth

How to tell if a rabbit is content

yes and they fight to death

Do rabbits establish peck orders?

they are monogastric herbivores with a well-developed cecum. they practice coprophagy, they have a soft stool that they eat to recycle nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals.

Describe the rabbits' unique digestive system

the Syrian Desert

Where is the Golden Hamster native to?

sand rats

Another term for Gerbils

Japanese Scientists

Who first bred Gerbils in captivity?