Feeding behaviour of stray dogs in a municipal shelter

Abstract

Feeding time of stray dogs on the first, second, third, fifth and seventh day of captivity in a municipal shelter was studied. The average value of the feeding time of dogs decreased from the first day (429.07±107.08 seconds) to the third day in captivity when it reached the lowest average value (229.53±95.18 seconds). The feeding time of dogs on the third day in captivity differs significantly from the same parameter on the first (429.07±107.08 seconds) and second day (372.73±100.58 seconds) in captivity (p<0.01). The highest average value of feeding time of stray dogs in the shelter was recorded on the first day. On the fifth and seventh day the feeding time of dogs increased compared to the third day. However, there were no significant differences of the average value of feeding time on the third day comparing with the fifth day (260.8±111.06 seconds) or the seventh day (301.33±119.89 seconds). Dogs ate their food more slowly on the fifth and the seventh day than on the third day, but more quickly than on the first and the second day (372.73±100.58 seconds). Significant differences were estimated comparing the feeding time of dogs on the first day with the third (p<0.01), fifth (p<0.01), and seventh day (p<0.05) of housing in the municipal shelter. Also, the feeding time of dogs on the second day differed significantly from the third (p<0.01) and the fifth day (p<0.05).