Faculty of Health and Medical Science

Research publications

Dog sitting outside looking at cat sitting inside — 📷 Alexis Chloe // Unsplash.com

Most recent research publications produced by researchers affiliated with the Centre for Companion Animal Welfare are listed here.

Companion parrot welfare

The Parrot–Owner Relationship and Problem Behaviors in Parrots

This study investigates 1) the relationships between companion parrots and their human owners and 2) the associations between the relationships and potential welfare-related problems.

Perceptions of the rabbit as a low investment ‘starter pet’ lead to negative impacts on its welfare

This paper shows that many rabbits live in unsuitable conditions, and owners who perceive rabbits as low investment ‘children’s pets’ are more likely to not provide recommended resources.

Genetic testing

Evaluation of the value of genetic testing for cystinuria in the Danish population of English bulldogs

In this study, the occurrence of three mutations in the Danish population of English bulldogs was investigated. Seventy-one English bulldogs were genotyped using TaqMan assays.

Compete or Cooperate with ‘Dr. Google’? Small Animal Veterinarians’ Attitudes towards Clients’ Use of Internet Resources

Using a questionnaire, we found that a majority of Austrian, Danish, and UK veterinarians (n = 641) surveyed were occasionally confronted with clients who question their medical advice based on information obtained from…

Shelter use by horses during summer in relation to weather conditions and horsefly (Tabanidae) prevalence

This study investigated use of artificial shelters by 10 horse groups continuously for eight summer week to understand how horses use shelters to provide shade and a refuge from biting insects during summer.

Movement Patterns of Roaming Companion Cats in Denmark - A Study Based on GPS Tracking

We studied the roaming patterns of companion cats in Denmark. The movements of 97 cats with outdoor access were traced for about seven days using GPS tracking.

Pampered pets or poor bastards? The welfare of dogs kept as companion animals

Two key challenges for companion dogs are examined in this paper: 1) unrealistic social demands that can lead to anxiety, depression, and aggression, and 2) ill devised breeding schemes that result in breeding-related…

Estimating the Population of Unowned Free-Ranging Domestic Cats in Denmark

This study estimated the size of the population of unowned free-ranging domestic cats and their distribution in Denmark using a combination of questionnaires and GPS tracking

How Serious Are Health-Related Welfare Problems in Unowned Unsocialised Domestic Cats?

This paper presents results from the corpses of 598 unsocialised cats euthanised in Denmark in 2019 by two cat welfare organisations. Our findings reveal that unsocialised cats in Denmark face only a moderate load of…

Digital opportunities to connect and complain – the use of Facebook in small animal practice

Paper in VetRecord Open on the use of social media in small animal practice.