What’s Making News Around the World this Month, for Cats and Dogs?
🌍 Pet News: Global Stories Worth Wagging About
United States, Morris Animal Foundation, 10 December 2025, New Canine Health Studies to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment (https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/new-canine-health-studies-2025)
Morris Animal Foundation has funded four new canine health studies aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for serious dog diseases. For dog owners, this matters because research like this often leads to better tests, clearer treatment decisions, and more practical prevention advice in everyday vet care. It’s also a useful reminder that breakthroughs don’t just happen in big pharma labs—targeted veterinary research can directly improve how quickly problems are found and how well dogs recover.
10/12/2025, Morris Animal Foundation
2. United States, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 December 2025, Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Could Be Used to Treat Obesity in Cats (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-could-be-used-to-treat-obesity-in-cats-180986120/)
A report highlights growing veterinary interest in GLP-1 style medicines—drugs best known for human weight loss—as potential tools for treating obesity in cats. For cat owners, the key takeaway is not “miracle injections,” but the direction of travel: vets are actively exploring new options beyond diet changes alone. If these medicines prove safe and effective for cats, it could reshape weight-management plans, especially for cats with mobility issues, arthritis risk, or diabetes concerns linked to excess weight.
11/12/2025, Smithsonian Magazine
3. United States, NPR, 8 December 2025, Some People Have a ‘Dog Anxiety’ That Can Be Treated, Researchers Say (https://www.npr.org/2025/12/08/nx-s1-5221350/dog-anxiety-cynophobia-phobia-treatment)
NPR reports on research and clinical insights into cynophobia—intense fear of dogs—and how it can be treated. This is surprisingly relevant to dog owners: a neighbour’s “overreaction” may be a genuine phobia, not hostility. The story explains that structured exposure and therapy approaches can help, which matters for shared spaces like parks, elevators, and apartment blocks. Understanding dog anxiety can reduce conflict, improve community safety, and encourage owners to train for calmer greetings and better leash manners.
08/12/2025, NPR
4. United States, Popular Mechanics, 5 December 2025, Dogs and Cats Evolved Similar Faces to Communicate With Humans, Study Says (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a63093826/cats-and-dogs-faces/)
A new report explores research suggesting dogs and cats have evolved more similar facial features than expected—potentially because expressive faces help them communicate with humans. For pet owners, it’s a reminder that those “looks” might not be random: facial cues can shape how we respond, train, and bond. The story also reinforces why reading body language matters (ears, eyes, whiskers, posture), not just tail wags or purrs. Better interpretation can mean less stress and fewer misunderstandings at home.
05/12/2025, Popular Mechanics
5. United States, Popular Mechanics, 5 December 2025, Dogs’ Brains Have Expanded Over the Past 150 Years, Study Suggests (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a63092846/dogs-brain-size/)
Popular Mechanics covers research suggesting dog brains may have increased in size over the last 150 years, potentially linked to domestication and the demands of living closely with humans. For dog owners, this matters because it adds context to why dogs can be so socially tuned-in—and why enrichment is not optional. If dogs are built for complex environments, boredom and under-stimulation can show up as barking, chewing, pacing, or anxiety. It’s a science-backed nudge toward training, play, and mentally engaging routines.
05/12/2025, Popular Mechanics
6. United States, Petfood Industry, 11 December 2025, Major manufacturer expands its US insect-based pet food market (https://www.petfoodindustry.com/pet-food-market/markets-trends/news/15712795/major-manufacturer-expands-its-us-insectbased-pet-food-market)
A major pet food manufacturer is expanding insect-based pet food in the US, reflecting a bigger shift toward alternative proteins. For dog and cat owners, the practical angle is choice: insect protein diets are often marketed for sustainability and, in some cases, for pets with sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef. The story matters because “novel protein” is a real vet-led strategy for some allergy workups, and wider availability can make specialised diets easier to find and stick with consistently.
11/12/2025, Petfood Industry
7. United States, Al Jazeera, 8 December 2025, Waymo runs into safety concerns and competition as it expands in the US (https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/12/8/waymo-runs-into-safety-concerns-and-competition-as-it-expands-in-the-us)
Al Jazeera reports on growing scrutiny of self-driving cars, including a case involving the death of a well-known bodega cat in San Francisco. While the broader piece is about autonomous vehicle safety, pet owners will immediately recognise the real-world stakes: urban pets (and community cats) share streets with fast-evolving technology. The story matters because it raises questions about how cities, regulators, and companies will prevent harm to animals—especially in dense neighbourhoods where pets, pedestrians, and vehicles interact constantly.
08/12/2025, Al Jazeera
8. New Zealand, 1News, 10 December 2025, Pet registrations could become mandatory in New Zealand amid calls for better tracking (https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/12/10/pet-registrations-could-become-mandatory/)
New Zealand is debating whether pet registration should become mandatory, driven by calls for better tracking and accountability. For cat and dog owners, the key issue is what “registration” would mean in practice—cost, enforcement, and how it links to microchipping, reunification of lost pets, and responsible breeding. This kind of system can reduce disputes when animals stray, improve return-to-owner rates, and support councils managing roaming and nuisance complaints. It’s also a signal that expectations on pet ownership are tightening.
10/12/2025, 1News
9. Singapore, National Parks Board, 4 December 2025, Importing and Exporting Dogs and Cats: Updated Requirements for Pet Owners (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/bringing-animals-into-singapore-and-exporting/exporting-and-re-exporting)
Singapore’s National Parks Board (AVS) has updated guidance on importing and exporting dogs and cats, including the steps and documentation owners must follow. For pet owners, this matters because travel rules can change quickly and mistakes can be expensive—missed paperwork can mean delays, denied entry, or stressful last-minute rebooking. Even if you’re not travelling to Singapore, this is a useful example of how biosecurity-driven pet travel is becoming more structured globally, with 9. standards around vaccination, identification, and permits.
04/12/2025, National Parks Board
10. France, The Connexion, 9 December 2025, Pets are considered luggage on airlines, EU court rules (https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/pets-are-considered-luggage-on-airlines-eu-court-rules/757208)
A European court ruling has found pets transported by airlines can be treated as “luggage” in legal terms, following a case involving a lost dog on an international flight. For pet owners, the practical impact is accountability: it influences how airlines’ responsibilities, compensation, and dispute processes may be framed when something goes wrong. The story matters because more people are travelling with pets, and legal definitions can shape real outcomes—like what evidence you need, what you can claim, and how carriers handle risk, tracking, and duty of care.
09/12/2025, The Connexion
11. Ireland, The Anglo-Celt, 10 December 2025, New laws to crack down on dogs chasing sheep and livestock come into force (https://www.anglocelt.ie/2025/12/10/new-laws-to-crack-down-on-dogs-chasing-sheep-and-livestock-come-into-force/)
Ireland has brought in tougher measures aimed at preventing dogs from chasing sheep and other livestock—an issue that can cause injury, stress, and deaths in farm animals. For dog owners, the message is simple: even a “friendly” dog can trigger a serious incident if it bolts, especially in rural areas. The story matters because it’s both a welfare and legal risk: stronger rules typically mean greater enforcement powers and consequences. It’s also a timely reminder to use leads near farmland and prioritise reliable recall training.
10/12/2025, The Anglo-Celt
12. United Arab Emirates, The National, 13 December 2025, Going Dutch: Can groups in the UAE follow Netherlands’ lead by rehoming all stray animals? (https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/12/13/going-dutch-can-groups-in-the-uae-follow-netherlands-lead-by-rehoming-all-stray-animals/)
The National looks at whether the UAE could replicate the Netherlands’ approach to reducing stray animal numbers, including the realities of shelters, policy limits, and management strategies. For cat and dog owners, the relevance is bigger than “strays”: community systems influence disease control, nuisance complaints, safety, and what happens to lost pets. The story matters because it highlights how rules and funding shape outcomes—rehoming, sterilisation programs, and humane population control. It’s a policy-level view that many cities globally are now grappling with.
13/12/2025, The National
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