Animal lovers can learn the truth about cats and dogs in a new online university course.

Developed by University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, students will learn about pet needs and behaviours from a host of animal welfare experts.

The Massive Open-access Online Course (MOOC) is based on the latest scientific findings and is said to provide "insights into pet senses and their understanding of the world".

Experts said there is an "overwhelming" amount of information published on pet behaviour and they want to help owners follow the best guidance.

The course, titled The Truth About Cats And Dogs, will be launched on April 8 at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Annual Congress in Birmingham, and will be available to the public from April 17.

Among the experts taking part is award-winning vet Heather Bacon.

She said: "There is so much information available online about how best to look after your pet, which can be overwhelming.

"Our scientific understanding of cats and dogs has moved on leaps and bounds, but recent research has highlighted gaps in what pet owners know about their animals.

"This course aims to develop a greater understanding of our cats and dogs by exploring how they perceive the world. Pet owners will gain a greater insight into their pets' needs and how to provide for them."