Companion Animal
A companion animal is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons.
The most popular companion animals are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song. Companion animals also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits, keeping companion animals has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.
There is now a medically-approved class of "therapy animals," mostly dogs, that are brought to visit confined humans. Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.
The most popular companion animals are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song. Companion animals also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits, keeping companion animals has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.
There is now a medically-approved class of "therapy animals," mostly dogs, that are brought to visit confined humans. Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.
Many cities and towns have local ordinances limiting the number of companion animals a person may have, and may also restrict or forbid certain companion animals, such as exotics.
Certain breeds of dog, such as pit bulls and rottweilers, are banned in some places. Dog/other canid/wolf mixes are also banned in some places.
In many locations, animals that are considered companion animal by their owners but are legally classified as livestock, including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size.
Certain breeds of dog, such as pit bulls and rottweilers, are banned in some places. Dog/other canid/wolf mixes are also banned in some places.
In many locations, animals that are considered companion animal by their owners but are legally classified as livestock, including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size.
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Keeping animals as companions may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is the inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects (like the consumption of chocolate by dogs).
Passive smoking is another recurring problem, aggravated by the fact that fur animals groom themselves, which means taking in extra harmful substances that have landed on their fur, not just those inhaled. Having a companion animal means taking on a life-long commitment to care of the animal in the best way throughout the animal's life. Being well versed in the animal's natural needs.
That the animal gets food, water, nursing, medical care, social, mental and physical stimulation and has good space to move around and exercise in relation to the species and size. Also that the animal is given optionally to stay in a cool place in summer and a warm place in winter. Animals not used for breeding must be neutered or spayed. |
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Companion animals have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.
Having a companion animal may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress. There is evidence that having a companion animal can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 without companion animals had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 who had companion animals. A recent study concluded that owning a companion animal can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 2% and that companion animal are better than medication in reducing blood pressure. Owning a companion animal can also prolong survival of a heart attack. Dogs which are trained to be guide dogs can help people with disabilities. |
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Even companion animal owners residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from companion animal. Companion animals for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the animal, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution. Appropriate companion animal go through a screening process and, if it is a dog, additional training programs to become a therapy dog.
Dogs have lived and worked with humans in so many roles that they have earned the unique nickname ~ man's best friend ~ a phrase used in other languages as well. Photo: A man with his dog after the tornado in Alabama (USA).
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Companion dogs populations grew significantly after World War II as suburbanization increased. In the 1950s and 1960s, dogs were kept outside more often than they tend to be today.
Using the expression “in the doghouse” to describe exclusion from the group signifies the distance between the doghouse and the home - and were still primarily functional, acting as a guard, children’s playmate, or walking companion. From the 1980s, there have been changes in the role of the companion dog, such as the increased role of dogs in the emotional support of their owners. People and dogs have become increasingly integrated and implicated in each other’s lives, to the point where dogs actively shape the way a family and home are experienced. There have been two major trends in the changing status of companion dogs. The first has been the ‘commodification’ of the dog, shaping it to conform to human expectations of personality and behaviour. The second has been the broadening of the concept of the family and the home to include dogs-as-dogs within everyday routines and practices. |
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The majority of contemporary dog owners describe their dog as part of the family, although some ambivalence about the relationship is evident in the popular reconceptualisation of the dog-human family as a pack.
A dominance model of dog-human relationships has been promoted by some dog trainers, such as on the television program Dog Whisperer. However it has been disputed that "trying to achieve status" is characteristic of dog–human interactions.
Companion dogs play an active role in family life; for example, a study of conversations in dog-human families showed how family members use the dog as a resource, talking to the dog, or talking through the dog, to mediate their interactions with each other.
A dominance model of dog-human relationships has been promoted by some dog trainers, such as on the television program Dog Whisperer. However it has been disputed that "trying to achieve status" is characteristic of dog–human interactions.
Companion dogs play an active role in family life; for example, a study of conversations in dog-human families showed how family members use the dog as a resource, talking to the dog, or talking through the dog, to mediate their interactions with each other.
Domestic dogs have been selectively bred for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Modern dog breeds show more variation in size, appearance, and behavior than any other domestic animal.
Dogs are highly variable in height and weight. The smallest known adult dog was a Yorkshire Terrier, that stood only 6.3 centimetres (2.5 in) at the shoulder, 9.5 cm (3.7 in) in length along the head-and-body, and weighed only 113 grams (4.0 oz).
The largest known dog was an English Mastiff which weighed 155.6 kilograms (343 lb) and was 250 cm (98 in) from the snout to the tail. The tallest dog is a Great Dane that stands 106.7 cm (42.0 in) at the shoulder.
Dogs are highly variable in height and weight. The smallest known adult dog was a Yorkshire Terrier, that stood only 6.3 centimetres (2.5 in) at the shoulder, 9.5 cm (3.7 in) in length along the head-and-body, and weighed only 113 grams (4.0 oz).
The largest known dog was an English Mastiff which weighed 155.6 kilograms (343 lb) and was 250 cm (98 in) from the snout to the tail. The tallest dog is a Great Dane that stands 106.7 cm (42.0 in) at the shoulder.
Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy, and when performed on dogs may euphemistically be called debarking or bark softening) is a surgical procedure applied to dogs and cats, where tissue is removed from the animal’s vocal cords in order to permanently reduce the volume of their vocalizations.
The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the United Kingdom and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.
In the United States, devocalization is illegal by state law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by city ordinance in Warwick, Rhode Island. Efforts to ban devocalization are underway in other states.
In Europe, there are few who know of this surgical procedure that can cause both physical and mental pain as it affect the dog's natural behavior and needs. Many find it difficult to understand that one can do this to an animal and finds it very cruel.
The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the United Kingdom and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.
In the United States, devocalization is illegal by state law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by city ordinance in Warwick, Rhode Island. Efforts to ban devocalization are underway in other states.
In Europe, there are few who know of this surgical procedure that can cause both physical and mental pain as it affect the dog's natural behavior and needs. Many find it difficult to understand that one can do this to an animal and finds it very cruel.
Molly's original owners debarked her, and as a result she had to gasp for breath every time she barked.
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It is we, the humans who put labels and limits on how animals should feel and be - a starving dog forced to sleep under the open sky is the same dog who sleeps indoors in front of a warm fireplace with the family - both born into a domesticated species and have the same feelings and needs - to think or believe otherwise is shameful.
All we humans have the responsibility of all domesticated dogs' well-being - not just the dog that we have in our immediate vicinity - This is our inheritance and obligation by mankind's ancient history - the dog - which we must continue to take care of.
All we humans have the responsibility of all domesticated dogs' well-being - not just the dog that we have in our immediate vicinity - This is our inheritance and obligation by mankind's ancient history - the dog - which we must continue to take care of.
Animal protection advocates call attention to companion animals overpopulation. This situation is created by non-neutered animals (spayed/castrated) reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals. A particularly problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem.
Local humane societies, SPCAs, and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter their companion animal and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.
Local humane societies, SPCAs, and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter their companion animal and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.
Cat - companion
An companian cat is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons.
The most popular companion animals are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song.
Companion animals also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits, keeping companion animals has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.
Keeping animals as companion may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is the inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects.
Passive smoking is another recurring problem, aggravated by the fact that fur animals groom themselves, which means taking in extra harmful substances that have landed on their fur, not just those inhaled.
Having a companion animal means taking on a life-long commitment to care of the animal in the best way throughout the animal's life. Being well versed in the animal's natural needs.
That the animal gets food, water, nursing, medical care, social, mental and physical stimulation and has good space to move around and exercise in relation to the species and size.
Also that the animal is given optionally to stay in a cool place in summer and a warm place in winter. Animals not used for breeding must be neutered or spayed.
Companion animals have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.
Having a companion animal may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress.
There is evidence that having a companion animal can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 without companion animal had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 who had pets.
A recent study concluded that owning a companion animal can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 2% and that companion animal are better than medication in reducing blood pressure.
Owning a companion animal can also prolong survival of a heart attack.
Even companion animal owners residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from companion animal. Companion animals for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the animal, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution.
An companian cat is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons.
The most popular companion animals are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song.
Companion animals also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits, keeping companion animals has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.
Keeping animals as companion may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is the inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects.
Passive smoking is another recurring problem, aggravated by the fact that fur animals groom themselves, which means taking in extra harmful substances that have landed on their fur, not just those inhaled.
Having a companion animal means taking on a life-long commitment to care of the animal in the best way throughout the animal's life. Being well versed in the animal's natural needs.
That the animal gets food, water, nursing, medical care, social, mental and physical stimulation and has good space to move around and exercise in relation to the species and size.
Also that the animal is given optionally to stay in a cool place in summer and a warm place in winter. Animals not used for breeding must be neutered or spayed.
Companion animals have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.
Having a companion animal may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress.
There is evidence that having a companion animal can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 without companion animal had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 who had pets.
A recent study concluded that owning a companion animal can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 2% and that companion animal are better than medication in reducing blood pressure.
Owning a companion animal can also prolong survival of a heart attack.
Even companion animal owners residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from companion animal. Companion animals for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the animal, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution.
Cats are a common companion animal in Europe and North America, and their worldwide population exceeds 500 million. In 1998 there were around 43 million cats in Western Europe, 33 million in Eastern Europe, seven million in Japan and three million in Australia. A 2007 report stated that about 37 million US households owned cats, with an average of 2.2 cats per household giving a total population of around 82 million. In contrast, there are about 72 million companion dogs in that country.
Although cat ownership has commonly been associated with women, a 2007 Gallup poll reported that men and women were equally likely to own a cat. The ratio of pedigree/purebred cats to random-bred cats varies from country to country.
In many locations, animals that are considered companion animals by their owners but are by the country legally classified as livestock, including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size. In many European countries it is forbidden to own or care for exotic and wild animals.
Onychectomy, commonly known as declawing is a surgical procedure to remove the claw and first bone of each digit of a cat's paws.
Declawing is most commonly only performed on the front feet. A related procedure is tendonectomy, which involves cutting a tendon needed for cats to extend their claws.
Although cat ownership has commonly been associated with women, a 2007 Gallup poll reported that men and women were equally likely to own a cat. The ratio of pedigree/purebred cats to random-bred cats varies from country to country.
In many locations, animals that are considered companion animals by their owners but are by the country legally classified as livestock, including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size. In many European countries it is forbidden to own or care for exotic and wild animals.
Onychectomy, commonly known as declawing is a surgical procedure to remove the claw and first bone of each digit of a cat's paws.
Declawing is most commonly only performed on the front feet. A related procedure is tendonectomy, which involves cutting a tendon needed for cats to extend their claws.
Declawing is a major surgical procedure and can produce pain, infections and permanent lameness. Since this surgery is almost always performed for the benefit of owners, it is controversial and remains uncommon outside of North America. In many European countries, declawing is prohibited by animal welfare laws and it is ethically controversial within the veterinary community.
A cat who is deprived of its claws, and for some reason forced to fend for itself outdoors, can not, for example, defend itself, hunting, or climb in trees.
Animal protection advocates call attention to companion animals overpopulation. This situation is created by non-neutered/spayed animals reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals.
A particularly problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem.
In an average year, a fertile cat can produce three litters of kittens, with up to 4 to 6 kittens in each litter.
Based on these numbers, one female cat and her offspring could produce up to 420,000 cats over a seven year period if not spayed or neutered.
Local humane societies, SPCAs, and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter or spay their companion animals and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders, ads or pet stores.
A cat who is deprived of its claws, and for some reason forced to fend for itself outdoors, can not, for example, defend itself, hunting, or climb in trees.
Animal protection advocates call attention to companion animals overpopulation. This situation is created by non-neutered/spayed animals reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals.
A particularly problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem.
In an average year, a fertile cat can produce three litters of kittens, with up to 4 to 6 kittens in each litter.
Based on these numbers, one female cat and her offspring could produce up to 420,000 cats over a seven year period if not spayed or neutered.
Local humane societies, SPCAs, and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter or spay their companion animals and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders, ads or pet stores.