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9.6 million SEK allocated for research on dogs, cats and other small pets

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Are you interested in understanding the emotional bond between dog owners and their puppies or aging dogs? Perhaps you want to know whether the size of a puppy litter can serve as an indicator of a breed's health. Ten new research projects, recipients of funding from the Agria SKK Research Fund for 2024, are set to commence soon. 

These research initiatives, concentrating on dogs, cats, and other small pets, are conducted across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Germany. In total, there are 10 new projects and 9 ongoing ones, collectively sharing 9.6 million SEK. This year, four out of nine projects will be executed in Sweden. 

"This marks our inaugural contribution to a research project in Germany, and it's gratifying to see the research fund attracting applications from a wider array of countries. The international interest brings fresh perspectives and a diverse mix of compelling and beneficial topics that ultimately contribute to the well-being of animals and their owners," remarks Agnes Fabricius, CEO of Agria. 

These projects cover a spectrum of veterinary medicine topics and examine the intricate relationships between humans and animals. For instance, Suvi Mäkeläinen at Uppsala University will investigate the causes of eleven hereditary dog diseases, which result in the exclusion of dogs from breeding populations, subsequently diminishing genetic variation and potentially heightening the occurrence of other health issues. 

Additionally, Hannes Lohi at the University of Helsinki will delve into the profound emotional connection between humans and their pets, exploring its substantial potential for mutual well-being. He aims to scrutinize the link between a dog owner's "puppy blues" and behaviour, studying its impact on the dog's later behavioural development. Another project in Denmark will conduct an ethnographic study on the intimacy between elderly individuals living alone and their dogs, shedding light on aging as a condition that affects both the dog and its owner, and examining how it influences their relationship. 

Some of the research projects granted by the Agria SKK Research Fund for dogs and cats in 2024 are: 

  • Effects of personality on pain and stress in dogs and their owners Project duration: 3 years Eva Sandberg, SLU 

  • Computed tomography in combination with iodine maps for better diagnosis of thyroid disease Project duration: 2 years Marion Schmicke, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany 

  • How can social media support responsible cat and dog ownership practices? Project duration: 3 years Maria Fuentes, Lund University 

  • Psychological factors associated with the owner-animal relationship and puppy blues Project duration: 1 year Hannes Lohi, University of Helsinki 

  • Human and dog intimacy towards the end-of-life Project duration: 2 years Nete Schwennesen, Roskilde University Center 

  • Machine learning-based identification and validation of disease mutations Project duration: 1 year Suvi Mäkeläinen, Uppsala University 

  • Suitability of dogs for different types of function in modern society Project duration: 3 years Therese Rehn, SLU 

  • How to best ensure the introduction and well-being of family cats living together Project duration: 1 year Peter Sandøe, University of Copenhagen 

  • Correlation between litter size and level of genetic diversity in dog breeds Project duration: 1 year Kim Kathrine L Bellamy, Norwegian Kennel Club 

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