Anxiety reactions in companion dogs exposed to noise associated with warfare in Ukraine

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between exposure to noise associated with warfare and the occurrence of anxiety reactions in companion dogs living in areas affected by armed conflict in Ukraine. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dog owners ( n = 104). An Acoustic Exposure Index ( AEI ) was developed to quantitatively assess the level of exposure to acoustic stimuli. The severity of the anxiety response was evaluated using the Anxiety Reactivity Scale. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and principal component analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with a multi-sign anxiety reaction (≥ 2 signs), taking into account the level of acoustic exposure, degree of urbanization, and age of the dog. Heightened anxiety reactions (≥ 2 signs) were found in 43.3% of dogs. Higher levels of acoustic exposure were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of multiple anxiety signs ( OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02–1.62; p = 0.031). The level of urbanization was an independent predictor of anxiety reactions ( OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07–1.65; p = 0.011), while the dog's age was not a significant factor in the multivariate analysis ( p = 0.903). The logistic regression model showed moderate discriminatory power (AUC = 0.704; 95% CI: 0.601–0.808). Aggressive behaviors were relatively rare in the civilian sample and were not associated with the level of noise. Chronic exposure to acoustic stimuli associated with warfare can significantly affect the behavior of companion dogs. Strategies to reduce stress in dogs living in war-affected environments should be developed. Since this study was exploratory and pilot in nature, the results should be interpreted as a basis for formulating hypotheses in further analyses.