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Owner stress may influence dog stress levels, study finds
The study found that changes in the owner's heart rate predicted changes in their dog's heart rate.
Vet practices could use findings to help improve welfare, researchers say. 

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) are calling for veterinary practices to be more aware of owner stress after new research showed that it was linked to dog stress levels.

The study, led by veterinary surgeon Aoife Byrne, involved 28 dog owners and their pets. The participants were divided equally into two groups, one of which saw the owners take part in a stressful digital test, while in the other, the owners took part in a relaxing guided meditation.

During the activities, the owners’ heart rates were monitored to assess their stress levels. At the same time, the dogs’ heart rates were monitored to trace any correlation. Heart rate variability was also recorded and the owners completed a short questionnaire about their feelings of anxiety.

The researchers found that changes in the owner’s heart rate predicted changes in their dog’s heart rate, suggesting that the dogs were responding to how their owners were feeling.

They also found that the dogs’ heart rates generally decreased as the experiment went on and they got used to the new environment they were in.

Gareth Arnott, reader in animal behaviour and welfare at QUB, said: “The results of this research indicate that dogs may have the ability to display emotional contagion, which is the mirroring of emotion, and social referencing, e.g. looking for cues to inform their reaction to a situation, towards their owners in novel settings.”

Dr Byrne added: “This research also underlines the importance of incorporating methods to mitigate owner stress in veterinary settings, as this has the potential to also reduce the stress experienced by their dogs.

“The impact of veterinary professionals implementing the results of this research in their practices may improve the welfare of both dog owners, and their dogs.”

The study has been published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Image © Shutterstock

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.