About this Research Topic

Background

Behavioral issues in companion animals represent a significant concern, affecting both the animal’s well-being and the dynamic owner-pet relationship. These issues, such as anxiety, aggression, and abnormal repetitive bahaviors, can lead to challenging decisions for pet owners and compromise the welfare of the animals.
The interplay between behavioral problems and the owner-companion animal bond is complex and bidirectional, with the quality of this bond being crucial in understanding the root causes of observed behavioral issues.

Recent advancements in the detection of companion animal behavioral issues, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), wearable sensors, smart environments, and advanced camera technologies, show promise in enhancing the precision of behavioral evaluations and interventions. However, the complexity of animal behavior poses challenges in accurately assessing and diagnosing these issues. Despite technological advancements, there remains a need for a continuous discussion on management and treatment approaches, as well as novel pharmacological, nutraceutical, or pheromonal solutions to preserve the bond between pets and owners and improve animal welfare.

Such approaches have allowed to manage some common problematic behaviors, e.g., separation-related problems and noise sensitivities in dogs; urine marking, and undesirable scratching in cats. As well as improving the welfare of the animal, this also leads to a reduction in owner frustration towards the companion animal.

This Research Topic aims to collect and explore advancements in the management of behavior problems in companion animals. The primary objectives include understanding how problem behavior impacts animal welfare, investigating effective management strategies for owners, exploring the neurological circuits underlying these behaviors, and assessing the tools available for managing or evaluating problem behavior.

By addressing these aims, the project seeks to enhance the understanding and treatment of behavioral issues in companion animals, ultimately improving their welfare and the owner-pet relationship.

To gather further insights into the management of behavioral issues in companion animals, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following:

• Behavioral interventions for addressing common problem behaviors in companion animals.
• Psychological and neurobiological factors contributing to problem behavior in companion animals, with specific reference to the role of genetics, brain development, and emotional well-being.
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to manage behavioral issues in pets: from the development of new treatment strategies to adapting existing products.
• The impact of the human-animal bond on problem behavior management, considering owner-pet interaction and communication, attachment styles and emotional influence, , as well as the neural basis underlying this bond.
• Cross-species comparisons between different problem behavior management approaches (e.g., dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses) highlighting species-specific strategies.
• Ethical implications and welfare considerations of problem behavior management techniques.
• The use of novel technologies, such as wearable devices and smartphone apps, for evaluating, addressing, and preventing problem behavior.
• Education and outreach initiatives for pet owners, veterinarians, and trainers on effective problem behavior management and prevention.


Xavier de Jaeger is employee of Ceva Santé Animale. All other guest editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: problem behavior, companion animal behavior, animal welfare, human-animal bond veterinary behavioral medicine, dog, cat, horse

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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