Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Available research on the link between domestic cats’ environment and welfare has primarily been conducted in animal shelters or research facilities; a better understanding of the welfare of cats living in homes is needed. This study measured the attitudes of current U.S.-based cat owners towards cats as pets; owner knowledge about normal cat behavior and environmental needs; current trends in cat care; cats’ behavior in the home; and the human-animal bond. The primary hypothesis was that owners with a more accurate understanding of cat behavior and a stronger reported bond with their cats would report fewer behavior problems. Data from an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey of 547 cat owners supported the primary hypothesis: owner knowledge, along with two measures of the human-animal bond (owner-pet interactions, and perceptions of affordability of cat ownership), were significant predictors of the number of reported behavior problems. In addition to fewer reported behavior problems, greater owner knowledge about cats was correlated with less use of positive-punishment-based responses to misbehavior, and increased tolerance of potential behavior problems when present. Owners’ agreement with certain misconceptions about cats and perception of high costs of care were correlated with the use of positive punishment in response to misbehavior. Based on the survey results, many cats living in private homes may be receiving only minimal environmental enrichment. Collectively, these results suggest the need for better education of cat owners. Topics could include: understanding normal cat behavior and correcting misconceptions; enrichment needs (particularly of indoor-only cats) and the risk of behavior problems when cats’ needs are not met; welfare risks associated with declawing; and the importance of sufficient resources to minimize social and territorial conflict.

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Effects of Olfactory and Auditory Enrichment on the Behaviour of Shelter Dogs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10040581 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 581 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Veronica Amaya ◽

Mandy B.A. Paterson ◽

Clive J.C. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Control Group ◽

Physiological Effects ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Human Animal Bond ◽

Exit Door ◽

Shelter Dogs ◽

Human Animal ◽

Short Time ◽

Increased Activity

Shelter environments are stressful for dogs, as they must cope with many stimuli over which they have little control. This can lead to behavioural changes, negatively affect their welfare and downgrade the human‐animal bond, affecting re-homing success. Arousal is evident in their behaviour, particularly increased activity and frequent vocalisation. Environmental enrichment plays an important role in reducing arousal behaviour, either through direct physiological effects or by masking stressful stimuli. The present study focused on sensory environmental enrichment, using olfactory and auditory stimuli under shelter conditions. Sixty dogs were allocated to one of four treatments: three types of enrichment, Lavender, Dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) and Music, and a Control group. Stimuli were applied for 3 h/d on five consecutive days. Dogs exposed to DAP lay down more, and those exposed to Music lay down more with their head down, compared to the Control. Those in the Control stood more on their hind legs with their front legs on the exit door, compared to those exposed to Music and DAP, particularly if they had only been in the shelter for a short time. They also panted and vocalised much more than dogs in the three enrichment treatments, which tended to persist during the 4 h period post treatment, and in the case of vocalisation into the subsequent night. The study suggests that all three enrichments had some positive benefits for dogs in shelters, as well as being non-invasive and easy to apply in the shelter environment.

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Human-animal relationships and interactions during the Covid-19 lockdown phase in the UK: investigating links with mental health and loneliness

10.31235/osf.io/6ju9m ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Ratschen ◽

Emily Shoesmith ◽

Lion Shahab ◽

Karine Silva ◽

Dimitra Kale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Animal Bond ◽

Buffering Hypothesis ◽

Human Animal ◽

The Uk

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic raises questions about the role that relationships and interactions between humans and animals play in the context of widespread social distancing and isolation measures. We aimed to investigate links between mental health and loneliness, companion animal ownership, the human-animal bond, and human-animal interactions; and to explore animal owners’ perceptions related to the role of their animals during lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of UK residents over 18 years of age was conducted between April and June 2020. The questionnaire included validated and bespoke items measuring demographics; exposures and outcomes related to mental health, wellbeing and loneliness; the human-animal bond and human-animal interactions. Results: Of 5,926 participants, 5,323 (89.8%) had at least one companion animal. Most perceived their animals to be a source of considerable support, but concerns were reported related to various practical aspects of providing care during lockdown. Strength of the human-animal bond did not differ significantly between species. Poorer mental health pre-lockdown was associated with a stronger reported human-animal bond (b = -.014, 95% CI [-.023 - -.005], p = .002). Animal ownership compared with non-ownership was associated with smaller decreases in mental health (b = .267, 95% CI [.079 - .455], p = .005) and smaller increases in loneliness (b = -.302, 95% CI [-.461 - -.144], p = .001) since lockdown. Conclusion: The human-animal bond is a construct of potential clinical importance to identify mental health vulnerability in animal owners. Animal ownership appeared to mitigate some of the detrimental psychological effects of lockdown. Further targeted investigation of the role of human-animal relationships and interactions for human health, including testing of the social buffering hypothesis and the development of instruments suited for use across animal species, is required.

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Public Support in the U.S. for Human-Animal Chimera Research: Results of a Representative Cross-Sectional Survey of 1,058 Adults

Stem Cells Translational Medicine ◽

10.1002/sctm.16-0452 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 1442-1444 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jonathan Kantor

Keyword(s):

Public Support ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Research Results ◽

Human Animal ◽

The U.S

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Human, animal, water source interactions and leptospirosis in Thailand

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82290-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Udomsak Narkkul ◽

Janjira Thaipadungpanit ◽

Nattachai Srisawat ◽

James W. Rudge ◽

Metawee Thongdee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Water Source ◽

Environmental Water ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Contact Patterns ◽

Spatial Environment ◽

Animal Contact ◽

Risk Areas ◽

Human Animal

AbstractIn Thailand, leptospirosis is primarily associated with those who work in agricultural occupations. Leptospirosis control is hampered by a poor understanding of the complex interactions between humans, animal reservoirs, Leptospira, and the variable spatial environment in which these factors coexist. We aimed to address key knowledge gaps concerning leptospirosis disease dynamics and the human–animal–water-source interface in two high-risk areas in Thailand. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 746 study participants in two high-risk areas for leptospirosis in Thailand: Sisaket (SSK) and Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST). Interactions among humans, animals and water sources were quantified and analyzed. The presence of different animal species and thus contact patterns were different in NST and SSK. The consumption of water from the shared sources between the two areas was different. Those whose occupations were related to animals or environmental water and those who consumed water from more than two sources were more likely to have been infected with leptospirosis, with adjusted odds ratios 4.31 (95% CI 1.17–15.83) and 10.74 (95% CI 2.28–50.53), respectively. Understanding specific water-source sharing networks and human–animal contact patterns is useful when designing national and area-specific control programmes to prevent and control leptospirosis outbreaks.

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Environmental Aspects of Domestic Cat Care and Management: Implications for Cat Welfare

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2016/6296315 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Judith L. Stella ◽

Candace C. Croney

Keyword(s):

Companion Animals ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Environmental Aspects ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus ◽

Human Animal Bond ◽

The Us ◽

Large Populations ◽

Human Animal

Domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) are the most commonly kept companion animals in the US with large populations of owned (86 million), free-roaming (70 million), research (13,000), and shelter (2-3 million) cats. Vast numbers of cats are maintained in homes and other facilities each year and are reliant on humans for all of their care. Understanding cat behavior and providing the highest quality environments possible, including positive human-cat interactions, based on research could help improve the outcomes of biomedical research, shelter adoptions, and veterinary care, as well as overall cat welfare. Often, however, cats’ needs are inadequately met in homes and some aspects may also not be well met in research colonies and shelters, despite the fact that similar problems are likely to be encountered in all of these environments. This paper provides a brief overview of common welfare challenges associated with indoor housing of domestic cats. Essential considerations for cage confinement are reviewed, along with implications of poor cat coping, such as weakening of the human-animal bond and relinquishment to shelters. The important role that environmental management plays in cat behavior and welfare outcomes is explored along with the need for additional research in key areas.

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Voluntary Smoke-Free Home Rules and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Poland: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207502 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7502

Author(s):

Mateusz Jankowski ◽

Jarosław Pinkas ◽

Wojciech S. Zgliczyński ◽

Dorota Kaleta ◽

Waldemar Wierzba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondhand Smoke ◽

Home Rule ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public Places ◽

Private And Public ◽

Shs Exposure ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Private Homes ◽

Exposure To Secondhand Smoke

Smoke-free policies have been shown to significantly reduce secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in private and public places. The objectives of this study were to: (1) to assess the prevalence and characteristics of voluntary smoke-free home rules in Poland; and (2) assess the association of smoke-free rules with self-reported SHS exposure in private homes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2019 with a nationally representative sample of 1011 individuals aged 15 and over. Nationally, 66.1% of individuals had a 100% smoke-free home rule (78.9% of non-smokers and 18.6% of smokers; p < 0.001), while a further 24.6% had adopted a partial home smoking rule. SHS exposure in the home during past month was reported by 6.1% of respondents (11.5% of smokers and 4.5% of non-smokers; p < 0.001). The lowest level of SHS exposure (1.8%) was observed among respondents who had implemented a full smoke-free home rule. Non-smokers had higher odds of having adopted a total smoke-free home rule compared with smokers (aOR: 19.17; 95% CI: 12.89–28.50). Moreover, non-smokers had lower odds (aOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20–0.61; p < 0.001) of self-reporting SHS smoke exposure at home. Although two-thirds of the Polish population have adopted a full smoke-free home rule in their homes, smokers continue to lag in adoption rates relative to non-smokers.

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Testing the Strain Theory of Suicide – The Moderating Role of Social Support

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 82-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bob Lew ◽

Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽

Yanzheng Liu ◽

Mansor Abu Talib ◽

Olga Mitina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Strain Theory ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Strains ◽

Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conﬂicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.

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Fit and Congruency

Journal of Personnel Psychology ◽

10.1027/1866-5888/a000233 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 148-156

Author(s):

Mary Hogue ◽

Lee Fox-Cardamone ◽

Deborah Erdos Knapp

Keyword(s):

Role Theory ◽

Social Role ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Job Fit ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Working Adults ◽

Role Congruity ◽

Self Selection ◽

Selection Of

Abstract. Applicant job pursuit intentions impact the composition of an organization’s applicant pool, thereby influencing selection outcomes. An example is the self-selection of women and men into gender-congruent jobs. Such self-selection contributes to a lack of gender diversity across a variety of occupations. We use person-job fit and the role congruity perspective of social role theory to explore job pursuit intentions. We present research from two cross-sectional survey studies (520 students, 174 working adults) indicating that at different points in their careers women and men choose to pursue gender-congruent jobs. For students, the choice was mediated by value placed on the job’s associated gender-congruent outcomes, but for working adults it was not. We offer suggestions for practitioners and researchers.

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