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Addressing Giardia in Kennels: Implications for canine health, management and welfare
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Addressing Giardia in Kennels: Implications for canine health, management and welfare

Giardia species are predominant intestinal parasites that are particularly common in dogs kept in kennels and are very difficult to kill with chemical cleaners. In this paper, comparative pathobiology experts discuss how...

Animal Welfare Concepts: Applications to Dogs
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Animal Welfare Concepts: Applications to Dogs

Dogs' physical health is important, but two Purdue University researchers contend that mental and behavioral health are also critical when ensuring that dogs can function well as good, safe companion animals and partn...

Assessing Kennel Dog Welfare
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Assessing Kennel Dog Welfare

Upon entering a kennel environment, dogs may be confronted with stressful situations, and some may experience fear, boredom, frustration or social isolation, which may result in poor welfare. This publication points out ...

Assessing the Welfare of Cats Housed in Cages
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Assessing the Welfare of Cats Housed in Cages

Caretakers have an ethical obligation to provide the best possible housing environment for cats in their care. It's important to understand how to assess the well-being of cats kept even temporarily in cages. This paper ...

Auditory Stress: Implications for Kenneled Dog Welfare
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Auditory Stress: Implications for Kenneled Dog Welfare

Auditory stress is a serious welfare concern for kenneled dogs. However, fewer studies have investigated the effects of auditory stress. Three Purdue University researchers examine noise sources and levels in kennels ...

Benefits of Castration in Male Dogs
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Benefits of Castration in Male Dogs

Benefits of Castration in Male Dogs....

Biting Midges: Biology and Public Health Risk
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Biting Midges: Biology and Public Health Risk

Biting midges are minute to tiny flies that can be severe biting pests of humans, pests, livestock, and wildlife. Their blood-sucking habits also raise concerns about possible involvement in the transmission of disease a...

Brucella Canis: Emerging zoonotic disease?
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Brucella Canis: Emerging zoonotic disease?

Canine brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting all breeds of dogs. Humans can become infected, too. The disease represents a potential source of economic loss to breeding kennels. This publication focuses on the ne...

Caged cats — Importance of routine and cage environment
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Caged cats — Importance of routine and cage environment

Confinement is a certainty for millions of cats. But housing environments vary widely. This publication focuses on how daily routine and the cage environment enhances the welfare of caged cats through environmental manag...

Cat Well-Being Basics
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Cat Well-Being Basics

Is that purr a sign of contentment or anxiety? Cat owners come to know that either answer can be correct. This publication provides basic information about how to care for the most popular pet in the United States.

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Choosing the Right Type of Collar for Your Dog
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Choosing the Right Type of Collar for Your Dog

There are many varieties of dog collars available to dog owners today. This paper provides an overview of the different types of collars, their uses, and the way in which they should be used. ...

Common Cat Diseases and Health Problems
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Common Cat Diseases and Health Problems

Learning about cat diseases, their prevention, and treatment is one of the best investments a cat owner can make in their pet's health, comfort, and well-being. This publication includes information about distemper, uppe...

Common Dog Diseases and Health Problems
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Common Dog Diseases and Health Problems

This is an awareness guide on common dog diseases and how they can be prevented and treated. Some of the diseases include distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. Various ways to prevent and/or tre...

Does long-term tethering of dogs negatively impact their well-being?
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Does long-term tethering of dogs negatively impact their well-being?

Arguments can be made in favor of and against the tethering of dogs. Three Purdue University researchers evaluate current research, including implementation and effects on welfare.

Format: PDF...

Dog Well-being Basics
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Dog Well-being Basics

Dogs can understand hundreds of human words, but it is up to humans to understand when a dog's well-being is in jeopardy. This publication, part of a series about the well-being of animals, provides guidance on what to l...

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Implications for canine welfare and management
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Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Implications for canine welfare and management

Simple interactions early in a puppy’s life may increase an ability to learn and cope successfully with stress. Three Purdue University researchers say Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) may be a useful intervention....

Effects of Flooring on Animal Health and Well-Being: Implications for Kenneled Dogs
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Effects of Flooring on Animal Health and Well-Being: Implications for Kenneled Dogs

Interest in improving the welfare of dogs maintained in kennel environments has resulted in debate about the scientific basis for current standards for housing dogs in the United States. The commercial dog breeding indus...

Enhancing the welfare of cage cats through environmental management — the housing room
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Enhancing the welfare of cage cats through environmental management — the housing room

Caged cats must acclimate to environments with multiple stressors. The cage is often the focus, but caretakers must assess and manage aspects of the room as well. This publication addresses how the room environment &mdas...

Enterprise Budgeting and Partial Budgeting for Dog Breeders
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Enterprise Budgeting and Partial Budgeting for Dog Breeders

When considering the wisdom of making changes in an operation, dog breeders must decide whether a change will make financial sense. Three Purdue University researchers explain how enterprise budgeting and partial budg...

Factors that impact dog selection and welfare
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Factors that impact dog selection and welfare

Selling dogs is a big business. Many factors influence purchases. Two Purdue University researchers explain the decision-making process when it comes to choosing the source (shelter, pet stores, etc.) and type of dog,...

Getting Involved in Canine-Assisted Therapy
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Getting Involved in Canine-Assisted Therapy

Animals have been used for decades to help humans improve their motor skills, improve communication, deal with depression, and address other health related issues. This paper describes how to get involved in animal-assis...

Implementing Environmental Enrichment for Dogs
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Implementing Environmental Enrichment for Dogs

Environmental enrichment can stimulate captive dogs mentally and physically, reducing undesirable behaviors that may result from boredom and frustration. In this paper, Purdue University researchers discuss five types of...

Implications of Weaning Age for Dog Welfare
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Implications of Weaning Age for Dog Welfare

Weaning is an important stage in puppy development. Behaviors learned from their dams and littermates in the first nine weeks of life have long-term implications. This paper explains why delaying complete separation unti...

Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets
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Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets

This book introduces animal owners to livestock and pet poisoning caused by plants in Indiana. Forty-nine poisonous plants are discussed. Symptoms and general treatment are noted. Line drawings are given for each plant...

Kenneled Dog Welfare: Challenges of Field Assessment
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Kenneled Dog Welfare: Challenges of Field Assessment

Caretakers, kennel inspectors, auditors and others must be able to properly evaluate dogs in areas outside the laboratory environment. Four Purdue University experts contend that field-ready assessment tools could inc...

Meeting the behavioral needs of kenneled dogs
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Meeting the behavioral needs of kenneled dogs

Meeting dogs' behavioral needs in their home environments is paramount to enhance their welfare by reducing stress levels and improving coping abilities. Positive interactions with people and other dogs, regular exercise...

Pet Overpopulation or an Unwanted Pet Problem?
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Pet Overpopulation or an Unwanted Pet Problem?

Management of the pet population in the United States involves significant financial and emotional resources. An emphasis on reproductive control has yielded results, but four Purdue University researchers say local, reg...

Prenatal Stress and Puppies: Implications for dog welfare in commercial-breeding kennels
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Prenatal Stress and Puppies: Implications for dog welfare in commercial-breeding kennels

Prenatal stress poses a welfare risk for dams as well as their puppies. This publication, by Purdue researchers, discusses the implications of prenatal stress and suggests strategies for its reduction in commercial-breed...

Promoting the Welfare of Kenneled Dogs: Environmental Considerations
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Promoting the Welfare of Kenneled Dogs: Environmental Considerations

Protecting the welfare of dogs in kennels requires consideration of their unique sensory and thermoregulatory capabilities. Because dogs and humans perceive environments very differently, it is important to ensure that d...

Promoting the Welfare of Kenneled Dogs: Space Allocations and Exercise
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Promoting the Welfare of Kenneled Dogs: Space Allocations and Exercise

While it is critically important to meet dog's basic needs for food, water, shelter, and appropriate healthcare in any environment, dogs maintained long-term in kennels require substantially more than a balanced diet and...

Role of Caretaker Interactions in Environmental Enrichment for Kenneled Dogs
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Role of Caretaker Interactions in Environmental Enrichment for Kenneled Dogs

Dogs in kennels don't always get the positive interaction they are used to, and that can have adverse consequences. Three Purdue University researchers say promoting bonding between dogs and caretakers has positive impac...

Temperature Requirements for Dogs
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Temperature Requirements for Dogs

Improved temperature controls and better knowledge of various breeds' preferred heat and cold comfort levels can improve well-being for housed domestic dogs, four Purdue University experts say....

The Nature of Teaching Unit 1: Animal Diversity and Tracking
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The Nature of Teaching Unit 1: Animal Diversity and Tracking

This Unit includes five lesson plans: Animal Tracks, Scent Stations, Indoor Track Casting, Outdoor Track Casting and Animal Tracking. On the Nature of Teaching website teachers can find free lesson plans, printables, pos...

Welfare Implications of Dental Health in Commercial Breeding Dogs
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Welfare Implications of Dental Health in Commercial Breeding Dogs

The prevalence and severity of dental disease in pet dogs is undertreated but well documented. Less is known about the effect on commercial breeding dogs. Two Purdue University experts explain how more research in that p...

What to Expect When: Your Dog is Expecting
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What to Expect When: Your Dog is Expecting

Most dog births go well, without any problems. But being prepared is always a good idea, and this publication, part of the "What to Expect When" series, helps you to know what might be coming and what to do - or not do -...