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For pet chinchillas, limited data are available on husbandry and the human-animal relationship despite their impact on health, behavior, and welfare. We conducted an online survey with pet chinchilla caretakers ( n = 336), targeting husbandry practices, health, behavioral indicators of welfare, and human-chinchilla relationships. We further investigated associations between caretakers' perceptions of stress in their chinchillas and emotional closeness to their animals. Basic needs such as keeping with conspecifics, constant access to water and hay, or offering dust baths were mostly fulfilled. Potential welfare issues included individual keeping (14.3%), undersized cages/enclosures (reported by 27.6% of the Austrian respondents), and suffering from a disease (14.7%). Behavioral indicators of good welfare, such as playing and cuddling with conspecifics, were observed several times per day by 40.9% and 87.9% of the respondents, respectively. Repetitive and unwanted behaviors were less common (fur biting, for instance, occurred 'never' in 82.9%). Caretakers rated their animals as generally more stressed if the animal was ill and more often showed fearful behavior toward them. Caretakers feeling closer to their animals spent more time engaging with them. Correct identification of this kind of association could be used as guidance for recommendations to improve chinchilla welfare at home and in the veterinary setting.

Every year, approximately 3% of cats and dogs are lost. In addition to passive methods for identifying pets, radiofrequency tracking devices (TDs) are available. These TDs can track a pet's geographic position, which is transmitted by radio frequencies. The health risk to the animals from continuous exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) was reviewed. Fourteen out of twenty-one commercially available TDs use 2G, 3G, or 4G mobile networks, and the others work with public frequencies, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. The exposure of pets to RF-EMFs was assessed, including ambient exposure (radios, TVs, and base stations of mobile networks), exposure from indoor devices (DECT, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.), and the exposure from TDs. The exposure levels of the three areas were found to be distinctly below the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference levels, which assure far-reaching protection from adverse health effects. The highest uncertainty regarding the exposure of pets was related to that caused by indoor RF-emitting devices using WLAN and DECT. This exposure can be limited considerably through a reduction in the exposure time and an increase in the distance between the animal and the RF-emitting device. Even though the total RF-EMF exposure level experienced by pets was found to be below the reference limits, recommendations were derived to reduce potential risks from exposure to TDs and indoor devices.

Reading books to shelter animals combining auditory enrichment with human presence is increasingly used although its effects on animal welfare have not yet been investigated. This study compared the behaviour of single-housed shelter dogs and cats during a prerecorded reading condition in the absence or presence of an unfamiliar human (without direct physical contact). Fourteen dogs and twenty-one cats were observed in their enclosure in the two conditions in a counterbalanced order. Behaviours such as scratching the door, gaze direction and location in relation to the audio source/human were analysed from video recording for 10 min per condition. Dogs spent more time in their bed ( p < 0.047) and looking at the auditory source ( p < 0.004) when a human was present. Cats showed door scratching and rubbing when a human was present ( p < 0.043), whereas they tended to spend more time in the vertical dimension ( p = 0.051), where the hiding boxes were located, during auditory stimulation without a human present. These results show that the presence of a human induces greater interest compared to just audio stimulation in shelter dogs and cats but may induce frustration likely due to not being able to physically interact in some animals.

A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. We briefly summarise the available evidence for the interventions discussed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g., spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended, both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions and topical analgesics, which are also indicated for painful procedures such as ear cleanings. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease fear and stress in patients and consequently their owners, thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.

Cage housing of growing rabbits is associated with welfare concerns. An alternative system that has already been introduced involves pens with non-wire floors. An important aspect of group pens, for which the best solution has not yet been clearly demonstrated, is the choice of floor material. The study investigated effects of two ground floor types-slatted plastic floor versus concrete floor with straw litter-on health-related parameters and weight of rabbits reared in large group pens on a commercial rabbit farm, i.e., with preventive coccidiostatic, and if required, additional therapeutic medical treatment. Pens were identical in dimensions, equipment (including platforms), and initial group size (60 animals/pen). Four pens were studied per ground floor type in three consecutive rearing periods (in total, 12 pens per floor type). A higher percentage of rabbits per pen had clean fur if reared on straw ( p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the load of coccidial oocysts in collective faecal samples, mortality, pathological alterations, or causes of loss ( p > 0.05). Thus, often-expressed concerns that parasitic load and mortality would be higher in groups kept on straw were not confirmed when rabbits were housed under otherwise equal conditions. Average slaughter weight was higher in rabbits reared on a slatted plastic floor ( p < 0.05), confirming previous findings of a negative impact of straw litter on weight gain.