Domestic Animal Behaviour for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists

by Katherine A. Houpt

The aim of this reference book is to enable the reader to identify quickly different types of domestic animal behaviour, covering all the common species, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats. It presents problem-solving information, and the basic science underpinning it. This edition recognizes recent scientific advances, particularly in communication, perception and cognition, and in clinical behaviour. The author gives full consideration to the effects of domestication on each species and the book is organised by common types of behaviour for each animal throughout its lifecycle, including the physiological basis and development for different types of behaviour. Problem situations and abnormal behaviour for each animal species are also covered, together with recommended treatments.

Genres: Animals, Reference, Science, Nonfiction

1 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1982

Reviews

[Karen Machin]

This is not a book I would have finished if I didn’t have to. There is a wealth of information in this book which provides endless facts about domestic animal behaviour. It reads like trivial pursuit not a succinct presentation of animal behaviour that provides the reader with a deeper understanding of animal behaviour. However, it is the most comprehensive collection of information about domestic animal behaviour.

Unfortunately, the 2018 version is already out of date and there are sections of the book that need updating, especially sections that use the term “dominance” incorrectly and promotes punishment. One of the positives is that most of the information is referenced so that the source of the information can be found. However, some sections and statements that are made without acknowledgement of the research. Therefore caution should be taken in accepting everything as stated especially when some facts are derived from a single animal.

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[Debi Robertson]

Lots of great current research. My specific interest is horses but reading about the others helped as well.

[Kate]

The 6th edition is definitely an improvement over the 5th, which had a lot of frankly horrific training advice (without citations, so it was presumably primarily the opinion of the author). The 6th edition limits itself to straightforwardly summarizing findings from the scientific literature. A lot of its value is as a reference to direct you to said literature.

[Zahar]

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