News

Microplastics are a global environmental health concern. In this research out of the UK, it was found that exposure to microplastics was greater in commercial wet pet foods because the dog needs to ingest more of the food to meet its daily nutritional requirements. Lots more research is needed in this topic in both humans and companion animals.

An industry’s social license to operate depends on public trust. In an era of growing concern for animal welfare, that trust will increasingly require verifiable evidence. When an industry publishes its own welfare data, how can anyone check it? A research team at the University of Melbourne built AI agents to go through the public records on fatalities in greyhound racing and found a rising death rate in greyhound racing in Great Britain.

A dog's paws are remarkable structures: compact, resilient, and essential to movement. Despite this, they are often overlooked in routine care.

A renowned university MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, dog Vinny has graduated with his Mum complete in his own cap and gown. I wonder how many New Zealand universities would allow a dog to be part of the ceremony?

The quote of the month for June is by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, who celebrated his 100th birthday last month.

There are two kinds of homebuyers: those with pets and those without. And for pet owners, a home purchase can hinge on whether a listing works as well for their pet as it does for them, according to new data.

In the April edition of NZ Dog World, I reflect on the recent dog attacks in New Zealand and review what licensing options are used in other countries. New Zealand already has solid dog registration requirements, but owner licensing models from Europe and beyond show there is room for our system to evolve.

Trigger stacking is a phenomenon that occurs in dogs and people. Here's my story of trigger stacking, from a recent trip to the USA.

Participating dog owners will follow assigned feeding protocols over a 10-month period, collecting non-invasive health-related samples and completing surveys designed to assess aspects of the human-animal bond. The study will integrate owner-reported outcomes with objective measures of canine health, providing a comprehensive look at how diet may affect both physical well-being and the owner-pet relationship. This study is being funded by Fresh Pet.

The late comedian, Paul O'Grady, had it right. Heartache is part of what we buy into when we open our heart to an animal.