Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The population of dogs and cats in Sweden is constantly increasing and this requires that the legislation is up to date to reinsure a high welfare standard for our pets. The Swedish board of agriculture is planning a revision of the regulation regarding dogs and cats. This review aims to provide scientific support for potential modifications in the legislation with a focus on group size, social needs and resource allocations for both dogs and cats. The results show that cats are comfortable living both in single- and group housing depending on their background and both species require a stable group composition. Although the social needs of cats are difficult to establish due to the lack of scientific investigations the results indicate that the needs can be provided by their owners. The dog is more dependent on having company, but dogs are also more influenced by their owners than by the company of another dog. Resource based needs are more distinct for cats who among other things require different levels to reside and individual sleeping spaces. There was little evidence of any similar needs among dogs and further research is needed to provide information of both resource requirements and the potential need to regulate exercise or activation needs of dogs. There was no evidence for a specific limitation in group sizes of either species and further research is needed to establish if a modification of the current limitations in the regulation is needed.