Tabatha Bundesen’s pet Tardar Sauce became an Internet sensation known as “Grumpy Cat” for a resting facial appearance that resembles a look of dissatisfaction. Now, scientists are starting to be able to read animal emotions from their expressions.
(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Scientists are beginning to link animal facial expressions to emotions, making it possible for us to understand how they feel.
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Humans tend to associate cats purring with happiness, but in turns out they also purr when in pain, hungry and alone.
Red-eared sliders were once popular pets but are currently banned in Australia. These turtles are still regularly found in the wild and being kept as illegal pets.
Pablo Garcia-Diaz
Exotic pets may rank highly on the novelty and excitement scale, but little is known about their ownership in Australia.
When dog owners meet, it helps build a safe and connected community.
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A study of Australian and US cities has demonstrated that pet ownership strengthens people’s connections with their neighbours.
Abused women were concerned that their pets may also be harmed by their abuser.
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Concern for their pets’ safety can lead women to delay leaving their abusers. Better on-site pet services in women’s shelters would enable them to seek help without fear for their animals’ well-being.
Those keypads are teeming with microbes.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
What’s on your cash? Studies show our money carries everything from pet DNA and old food to E.coli and traces of cocaine.
Hot dog.
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You’re lucky – dogs can only sweat through their paws.
Next best thing to a hidey-hole box?
Maggie Villiger
Twitter recently blew up with posts wondering about the feline fascination with taped squares on the ground. An animal behavior expert explains it’s not magic that draws Fluffy to the #CatSquare.
Autonomous cars aren’t smarter than this.
X posid
A former animal trainer explains how we might usefully think about the limitations of artificial intelligence systems.
And they call it puppy love.
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Spending time with pets can lead to significantly improved social skills and motivation for learning.
Dogs are a big part of their owners’ routines – which makes their loss even more jarring.
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Many are embarrassed to publicly show too much grief over the death of a dog. But research has shown just how devastating the loss can be.
Hurry up!
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Dogs – and their owners – love ‘walkies’. But who’s walking who?
Yolanda Güse protesting outside a McDonald’s branch in Cape Town.
It doesn’t happen often that a multinational will blink when taken on by an individual. But a passionate campaigner’s successful crusade has shown how it can be done.
Pets suffer just as badly as their humans in the heat.
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As the weather heats up, Australian households won’t just be cranking up the air conditioning for themselves. Some households will also be turning it on for their dogs or cats.
Easy target.
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Dog thefts have risen by a third – don’t be a victim.
Not the best day for dogs.
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It can be a scary time for pets – but science has some valuable solutions.
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Believe it or not, cats are really useful. Even this one.
The Scottish Fold is a lovely cat, but unfortunately suffers from health problems related to its breeding.
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Scottish Folds are adorable cats with folded ears and owl-like faces. But their cuteness also condemns them to a life of suffering.
Even within our homes dogs can be perceived as a nuisance.
AAP/Mike Gee
Understanding animal management and making it work better for our interspecies society will benefit humans and dogs alike.
When’s the next dog food commercial on?
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Dogs like a little TV – and researchers have been investigating why.