Dr Mia Cobb
LightNews LightNews
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Dr Mia Cobb
@drmiacobb.bsky.social
200 followers 150 following 41 posts
Dog Welfare Scientist
Posts Replies Media Videos
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Thanks to ABC News for including my “hot take” in this story about helping our animal companions cope in the extreme heat impacting Australia this Summer. Terrific insights from my colleague, Dr Steven Impey too: lnkd.in/gbQze564 #science #dogs #animalwelfare
Screenshot of an ABC Lifestyle article titled “Should you leave the air con on for your pets?” by Anna Chisholm. Beneath the headline is a photo of a wet black-and-white dog sitting in a shallow blue paddling pool outdoors. Screenshot of an ABC Lifestyle article titled “Should you leave the air con on for your pets?” by Anna Chisholm. Beneath the headline is a photo of a wet black-and-white dog sitting in a shallow blue paddling pool outdoors. The article text includes the quote: “We really control their whole environment,” said Mia Cobb, a canine welfare researcher at the University of Melbourne.
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
awsel.bsky.social
If you live in #Adelaide #SA #Australia keep your #Dogs out of discoloured water and away from contaminated foam, seaweed, marine debris like fish, crabs, and sea balls BECAUSE DOGS ARE STILL GETTING SICK at the beach w/ the #AlgalBloom ➡️Rinse them off w/ fresh water.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Pet owner's warning as dog left 'frothing' after SA beach visit
Within 20 minutes of leaving an Adelaide beach dogs Lucy and Ella began breathing rapidly and fell "terribly sick", prompting their owner to issue a warning.
www.abc.net.au
January 23, 2026 at 10:51 PM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
It's heating up, with temps over 40°C (105°F) ahead. My piece for @aunz.theconversation.com about helping animals in extreme heat has been viewed twice from the US / UK for every Australian view! How come people in the depths of Winter are really into this topic?! theconversation.com/pets-suffer-...
A small brown dog stands in the middle of a split scene: snowy ground with a snowman and winter hat on the left, and cracked desert ground with a cactus, thermometer reading extreme heat, and a dry water bowl on the right, illustrating extreme weather contrast.
January 22, 2026 at 3:47 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Back from a super fun live hour chatting dogs and science on @joy949.bsky.social radio with @nyuroscientist.bsky.social. You can catch up on the Science Queeries pod in all the usual places, or here: joy.org.au/sciencequeer...
[Thanks to @jameshutson.bsky.social and the ASC for my tee]
January 13, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
aunz.theconversation.com
When people get hot, we can strip off clothing and we sweat to cool down. But animals such as cats and dogs aren’t so lucky.
Pets suffer in extreme heat. An animal welfare expert explains how we can help them
theconversation.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:38 PM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Distressing to see this news today. @abhadra7.bsky.social #animalwelfare #dogs timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderab...
Mass dog killings rock Telangana: ‘300 stray canines’ given lethal injections; sarpanches among 9 booked | Hyderabad News - The Times of India
HANUMAKONDA: Police booked cases against nine people, including the sarpanches of Shayampet and Arepally villages, in Hanumakonda district for alleged.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:30 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Animals (pets, livestock, wildlife) suffer in extreme heat. An animal welfare expert explains how we can help them theconversation.com/pets-suffer-...
Pets suffer in extreme heat. An animal welfare expert explains how we can help them
When people get hot, we can strip off clothing and we sweat to cool down. But animals such as cats and dogs aren’t so lucky.
theconversation.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
drmiacobb.bsky.social
🐕 We're recruiting for a fully-funded PhD exploring crossbreeding to reduce problems experienced by flat-faced dogs, including human barriers to acceptance

🌏 International supervisory team

Details www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...

Questions? @rowenapacker.bsky.social rpacker@rvc.ac.uk

⏰ 20Jan’26
PhD Studentship: Cross Fit? Exploring evidence for, and tackling human perceptual barriers to, using crossbreeding as a mechanism for reducing brachycephalic dog welfare harms - Postgraduate - Study - Royal Veterinary College, RVC
Department - Clinical Science and Services
www.rvc.ac.uk
December 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
🐕 We're recruiting for a fully-funded PhD exploring crossbreeding to reduce problems experienced by flat-faced dogs, including human barriers to acceptance

🌏 International supervisory team

Details www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgr...

Questions? @rowenapacker.bsky.social rpacker@rvc.ac.uk

⏰ 20Jan’26
PhD Studentship: Cross Fit? Exploring evidence for, and tackling human perceptual barriers to, using crossbreeding as a mechanism for reducing brachycephalic dog welfare harms - Postgraduate - Study - Royal Veterinary College, RVC
Department - Clinical Science and Services
www.rvc.ac.uk
December 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
amcell.bsky.social
Dogs - "We’ve now learned that giving animals choice and control in their lives is important for their mental wellbeing too. We can help our dogs enjoy better welfare by creating more choices and offering them control to exercise their agency." findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/93429-t...
December 20, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
aunz.theconversation.com
Dogs don’t stockpile food due to anxiety about impending disaster – they’re revealing how their evolutionary past still shapes modern behaviours.
Your dog is not a doomsday prepper. Here’s why they hide food and toys
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
If you've always wondered "Why DO dogs do that?!" when you see them hiding their treats or toys in their bedding - my latest for @theconversation.com might help! theconversation.com/your-dog-is-... #science #dogs #animalwelfare
Your dog is not a doomsday prepper. Here’s why they hide food and toys
Dogs don’t stockpile food due to anxiety about impending disaster – they’re revealing how their evolutionary past still shapes modern behaviours.
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
dogagingproject.bsky.social
How do metabolomes & mutts connect in aging research? 🧬🐾

Dr. Kate Creevy’s keynote at AMC’s #OneHealth Conference explores the science behind longevity in humans & dogs.

Watch here: youtu.be/vCKsPGP2RJo?...

#DogAgingProject #HealthyAging
Studying Aging with Dr. Kate E. Creevy from the Dog Aging Project
YouTube video by The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
lilichin.bsky.social
A DOGS OF THE WORLD sighting at Dymocks bookstore in Melbourne, Australia! (Photo by @drmiacobb.bsky.social )
Copy of Dogs of the World (by me, Lili Chin) on a bookshelf. Note: this is the British edition with a cream cover.
November 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
I had a wide ranging conversation with Julian Morrow on ABC’s Radio National this morning about the global state of greyhound racing. Catch it here: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Is greyhound racing at a tipping point? - ABC listen
In the last 18 months there have been moves to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand, Scotland, Wales and Tasmania. What are the tipping points that make the industry no longer politically and financial...
www.abc.net.au
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
TOMORROW, you can help dogs get much-needed research funding! 💰 I’m a finalist in University of Melbourne Faculty of Science’s Big Science Pitch. Tune in from 6pm (AEDT, that’s 8pm NZ: 7am UK; 11pm LA; 2am NYC) 11 Nov to watch the finalists and vote 🐕 Register: science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/big-s...
Register: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/big-science-pitch
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
On Tue, you can help dogs get much-needed research funding! 💰 I’m a finalist in University of Melbourne Faculty of Science’s Big Science Pitch. Tune in from 6pm (AEDT, that’s 8pm NZ: 7am UK; 11pm LA; 2am NYC) 11 Nov to watch the finalists and vote 🐕 Register: science.unimelb.edu.au/engage/big-s...
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
arc-tracker.bsky.social
🚨 #DiscoveryProjects #DP26 announcement:

❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Projects 2026❗️

See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...

/bot
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
barkslab.bsky.social
Our "Talking dogs" review has been featured in @newsweek.com :)

Thank you for the opportunity to share our work with the world .

www.newsweek.com/dogs-etholog...
Scientists wanted to know if dogs could one day talk—here’s what they found
Tamás Faragó told Newsweek: "We should look at their behavior, how they interact with humans and how they live together with us."
www.newsweek.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
Huge thanks to my capable collaborators, Ana and Nancy, for joining me on this paper. It’s time for canine science to move beyond its flawed reliance on cortisol as a welfare indicator - we explore why and what that might look like. Out today, open access: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
October 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
drmiacobb.bsky.social
I often joke that 8yo me would be thrilled with the job I find myself in today 🐶❤️ To be fair, modern me is pretty stoked! 😆 I’m thankful that my education, work experience & opportunities have landed me here and grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way 🫶🏼 #science #dogs #animalwelfare
An overhead photo shows Dr Mia Cobb lying on her back facing up toward the camera. Her eyes are closed and she is smiling as four black Sox week old Labrador puppies pull her hair, chew her chin and nibble her ear. It is chaotic but looks fun!
September 23, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Are dingoes dogs?

Researchers argue no: dingoes are genetically distinct, reproductively isolated, and on their own evolutionary path:

theconversation.com/dingoes-are-...

@drcairns.bsky.social @howlingdingo.bsky.social @euanritchie.bsky.social @newsometm.bsky.social

#AusMammalogy

1/4
Dingoes are not domestic dogs – new evidence shows these native canines are on their own evolutionary path
New research suggests dingoes are distinct enough to have their own scientific name. If this is accepted, it will have far-reaching consequences
theconversation.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
dogagingproject.bsky.social
This #research looked at how where a #dog lives in the U.S. affects the kind of exposures it faces and the types of health problems it gets.

⚛️ Our team used data from the #DogAgingProject — Learn more by reading our #ScientificResults blog post: dogagingproject.org/scientific-r...
Scientific Results: Environmental exposures and health outcomes in dogs differ according to geographic region in the United States among Dog Aging Project participants - Dog Aging Project
This research looked at how where a dog lives in the U.S. affects the kind of exposures it faces and the types of health problems it gets.
dogagingproject.org
September 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Dr Mia Cobb
arc-tracker.bsky.social
Once again, ARC hits the 🎯 with their comms strategy:

8pm on Sunday night. When the eyeballs of researchers are glued to … twitter?

They've not posted this anywhere else. I can't think of a better way to _not_ "engage stakeholders". Almost uncanny.
Screenshot of tweet from the ARC about a survey they want "stakeholders" to complete. Black text on white background above a rather outsized picture of dark blue smudges on a light-blue background. One smudge says "Survey" … you know, to catch your eye?
September 8, 2025 at 5:37 AM