- Identifies the needs of companion animals, explains how we know these needs, and gives scientifically-backed advice on how to meet these needs
- Promotes the most humane treatment and best possible care of our companion animals
- Addresses controversial issues such as selective breeding, companion animal showing, the keeping of exotic species, and the international pet trade
- Covers the husbandry and care of all major companion animal species, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians
Table of Contents
Contributor List vii
Foreword x
Robert Hubrecht
Prologue xii
James Yeates
1 Introduction: The Care and Animal Welfare of All Species 1
James Yeates
2 Carnivorans (Carnivora) 39
James Yeates
3 Cats (Felis silvestris catus) 52
Irene Rochlitz and James Yeates
4 Dogs (Canis familiaris) 81
Nicola Rooney and Kevin Stafford
5 Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) 124
Claudia Vinke, Nico J. Schoemaker, and Yvonne R. A. van Zeeland
6 Rabbits and Rodents (Glires) 145
James Yeates and Vera Baumans
7 European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 163
Siobhan Mullan and Richard Saunders
8 Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, and Degus (Caviomorphs) 185
Anne McBride and Anna Meredith
9 Golden Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) 203
Bryan Howard
10 Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) 218
Elke Scheibler and Eva Waiblinger
11 Domestic Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 233
Oliver Burman
12 Ungulates (Ungulata) 249
James Yeates and Paul McGreevy
13 Horses (Equus caballus) 266
Paul McGreevy and James Yeates
14 Birds (Avia) 293
John Chitty and James Yeates
15 Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) 318
Graham Law, Rudolf Nager, and Michael Wilkinson
16 True Parrots (Psittacoidea) 338
Joy Mench, Joanne Paul-Murphy, Kirk Klasing, and Victoria Cussen
17 Pigeons (Columba livia) 355
John Chitty
18 Reptiles (Reptilia) 371
Joanna Hedley, Robert Johnson, and James Yeates
19 Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) 395
Robert Johnson and Sophie Adwick
20 Nonvenomous Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) 412
Joanna Hedley and Kevin Eatwell
21 Mediterranean Tortoises (Testudo spp.) 425
Andrew C. Highfield
22 Ornamental Fish (Actinopterygii) 440
Lynne Sneddon and David Wolfenden
23 Goldfish (Carassius auratus) 467
Culum Brown, David Wolfenden, and Lynne Sneddon
Index 479