To improve the welfare of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended on Thursday 14 September that the permanent use of boxes, cages or crates should be avoided.
EFSA’s advice is being published to support potential legislative measures for the protection of cats and dogs kept in commercial kennels for sport, hunting or companionship.
For the majority of adult cats, a temperature of between 15-26°C helps to avoid thermal stress, whereas for adult breeding dogs, the scientific evidence available is insufficient to define such a general temperature range.
EFSA assessed certain cosmetic and convenience surgery practices (declawing in cats and ear cropping, tail docking and vocal cord resection in dogs) and concluded that they should not be performed unless absolutely necessary for the animal’s health.
Female dogs and cats should not be bred until they are fully grown, even if they have already reached sexual maturity (puberty).
Other recommendations for dogs include the need for a period of darkness every day. Breeding dogs should have a space in which to socialise and exercise regularly, preferably outdoors. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)