Sarah McLean, Swinburne University of Technology and Enzo Palombo, Swinburne University of Technology
Animals, including the ones that live in our homes, can carry all kinds of illnesses. Most of the time it’s not a problem, but here’s what you should do to avoid getting sick.
It might surprise you to know we share our cities and towns with a huge range of native animals. But dog and cat poo can signal to wildlife that predators are about and they should stay away.
Unfortunately, a rhetoric has developed within public discourse that cats are manipulative, vengeful, uncaring or even psychotic. But it’s unlikely they’ve deliberately peed on your rug to annoy you.
New research exposing the surprising scale and diversity of Australia’s invertebrate pet trade online highlights the need for better regulation to protect our wildlife and manage biosecurity threats.
Studies in Yellowstone National Park show plant matter (mostly grass) is found in up to 74% of wolf scats, suggesting the behaviour may be inherited from the beginning of doggy time.
Companion dogs respond to their environments and their owners’ sense of well-being. When owners are stressed and anxious, dogs can exhibit undesirable behaviours.