Predator scent influences olfactory investigation and feeding choices in urban free-ranging dogs

Abstract

Olfaction is a key tool for dogs for finding food, identifying threats, navigating space, and communicating socially. Urban free-ranging dogs adapt their smelling behavior in several important ways to survive in complex, human-dominated environments. This study examines how feeding choices of urban free-ranging dogs is affected by the predator scent, based on a treatment of meat bait with the urine of leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a meso-predator of lowland ecosystem in Nepal. This experiment was done in 43 dogs in Itahari Sub-metropolitan City in Sunsari District of Koshi Province, Nepal. Each dog was presented with plain meat (control) and meat dipped in leopard cat urine (treatment). Majority of dogs had chosen the control meat first (67.4%) probably showing a choice for the safer option. Dogs spent significantly longer time on sniffing the treatment meat (5.44±2.69 sec) compared to the control meat (1.30±0.63 s) (t=10.07, df=42, p < 0.001). Four dogs (9.30%) completely rejected the treatment bait. Tail and ear postures showed mild caution, but the aggressive behavior was not detected. These findings support the notion that free-ranging dogs retain an innate sensitivity to predator odors, which can modify both their approach behavior and feeding decisions even within urban environments where direct encounters with wild carnivores are rare. Therefore, predator scent cues could serve as a natural, non-invasive means to deter or guide their movements in urban areas.