Behavioral issues in companion animals represent a dual concern, impacting both the well-being of the affected animals and the dynamic owner-pet relationship. These problems compromise the well-being of pets and compel pet owners to make challenging decisions. The interplay between behavioral problems and the owner-companion animal bond is a complex, bidirectional phenomenon. Problem behavior in companion animals can detrimentally influence the established bond with their owners, and the quality of this bond is pivotal in uncovering the root causes of observed behavioral issues. Given these premises, it is of utmost importance to address the behavioral neuroscience underlying behavioral issues in pets, beyond laboratory animals.
Evaluating behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, or abnormal repetitive behaviors, for instance, is crucial for companion animal health and welfare. Recent advancements in the detection of companion animal behavioral issues, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), wearable sensors, smart environments, and advanced camera technologies, show promise in enhancing the precision of behavioral evaluations and interventions. The ability of machine recognition to identify specific behaviors is particularly interesting, although the complexity of behavior poses challenges when it comes to accurately assessing and diagnosing complex behavioral issues.
The diverse and intricate nature of companion animal behavior problems calls for a continuous discussion on management and treatment approaches, crucial for identifying and effectively tailoring adequate management and treatment strategies.
In addressing the diversity of behavioral problems in companion animals, novel pharmacological, nutraceutical, or pheromonal approaches are critical – these can help to directly improve the problems, preserving the bond between pets and owners, as well as their welfare. Such approaches have allowed to manage some common problematic behaviors, e.g., separation-related problems and noise sensitivities in dogs; urine marking, and undesirable scratching in cats. As well as improving the welfare of the animal, this also leads to a reduction in owner frustration towards the companion animal.
This Research Topic aims to collect research advancements in the management of behavior problems in companion animals focusing on the following.
1. To explore how problem behavior in companion animals impacts their welfare.
2. To investigate opportunities to help owners manage problematic behavior effectively.
3. To explore neurological circuits underlying problem behavior in companion animals.
4. To assess available tools for managing or evaluating problem behavior in companion animals
We welcome articles addressing the following, but not limited to, points:
• Behavioral interventions for addressing common problem behaviors in companion animals.
• Psychological and neurobiological factors contributing to problem behavior in companion animals, with specific reference to the role of genetics, brain development, and emotional well-being.
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to manage behavioral issues in pets: from the development of new treatment strategies to adapting existing drugs/products.
• Impact of human-animal bond on problem behavior management, considering owner-pet interaction, attachment styles and emotional influence, and communication, as well as the neural basis underlying this bond.
• Cross-species comparisons between different problem behavior management approaches (e.g., dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses) highlighting species-specific strategies.
• Ethical implications and welfare considerations of problem behavior management techniques.
• Use of novel applied technologies such as wearable devices and smartphone apps, for evaluating, addressing, and preventing problem behavior.
• Education and outreach initiatives and programs for pet owners, veterinarians, and trainers on effective problem behavior management and prevention.
Xavier de Jaeger is employee of Ceva Santé Animale. All other guest editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic.
Keywords:
problem behavior, companion animal behavior, animal welfare, human-animal bond veterinary behavioral medicine, dog, cat, horse
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Behavioral issues in companion animals represent a dual concern, impacting both the well-being of the affected animals and the dynamic owner-pet relationship. These problems compromise the well-being of pets and compel pet owners to make challenging decisions. The interplay between behavioral problems and the owner-companion animal bond is a complex, bidirectional phenomenon. Problem behavior in companion animals can detrimentally influence the established bond with their owners, and the quality of this bond is pivotal in uncovering the root causes of observed behavioral issues. Given these premises, it is of utmost importance to address the behavioral neuroscience underlying behavioral issues in pets, beyond laboratory animals.
Evaluating behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, or abnormal repetitive behaviors, for instance, is crucial for companion animal health and welfare. Recent advancements in the detection of companion animal behavioral issues, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), wearable sensors, smart environments, and advanced camera technologies, show promise in enhancing the precision of behavioral evaluations and interventions. The ability of machine recognition to identify specific behaviors is particularly interesting, although the complexity of behavior poses challenges when it comes to accurately assessing and diagnosing complex behavioral issues.
The diverse and intricate nature of companion animal behavior problems calls for a continuous discussion on management and treatment approaches, crucial for identifying and effectively tailoring adequate management and treatment strategies.
In addressing the diversity of behavioral problems in companion animals, novel pharmacological, nutraceutical, or pheromonal approaches are critical – these can help to directly improve the problems, preserving the bond between pets and owners, as well as their welfare. Such approaches have allowed to manage some common problematic behaviors, e.g., separation-related problems and noise sensitivities in dogs; urine marking, and undesirable scratching in cats. As well as improving the welfare of the animal, this also leads to a reduction in owner frustration towards the companion animal.
This Research Topic aims to collect research advancements in the management of behavior problems in companion animals focusing on the following.
1. To explore how problem behavior in companion animals impacts their welfare.
2. To investigate opportunities to help owners manage problematic behavior effectively.
3. To explore neurological circuits underlying problem behavior in companion animals.
4. To assess available tools for managing or evaluating problem behavior in companion animals
We welcome articles addressing the following, but not limited to, points:
• Behavioral interventions for addressing common problem behaviors in companion animals.
• Psychological and neurobiological factors contributing to problem behavior in companion animals, with specific reference to the role of genetics, brain development, and emotional well-being.
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to manage behavioral issues in pets: from the development of new treatment strategies to adapting existing drugs/products.
• Impact of human-animal bond on problem behavior management, considering owner-pet interaction, attachment styles and emotional influence, and communication, as well as the neural basis underlying this bond.
• Cross-species comparisons between different problem behavior management approaches (e.g., dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses) highlighting species-specific strategies.
• Ethical implications and welfare considerations of problem behavior management techniques.
• Use of novel applied technologies such as wearable devices and smartphone apps, for evaluating, addressing, and preventing problem behavior.
• Education and outreach initiatives and programs for pet owners, veterinarians, and trainers on effective problem behavior management and prevention.
Xavier de Jaeger is employee of Ceva Santé Animale. All other guest editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic.
Keywords:
problem behavior, companion animal behavior, animal welfare, human-animal bond veterinary behavioral medicine, dog, cat, horse
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.