Effects of the provision of a hiding box or shelf on the behaviour and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of bold and shy cats housed in single cages

Ellis, Jacklyn J.; Stryhn, Henrik; Cockram, M. S.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105221

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Stress levels in shy cats placed in cages decreased over several days. 20 The changes we observed over time suggest that behavior-based outcome decisions should be deferred to allow time for stress levels to decrease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Behavior and adoptability of hoarded cats admitted to an animal shelter

Jacobson

Ellis

Janke

et al. 2022

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral characteristics and success of adoption for previously hoarded cats. Methods Shelter records and post-adoption surveys were analyzed for hoarded cats ⩾6 months old at intake. A non-standard scoring system was used. Intake scores were allocated contemporaneously and socialization scores were applied retrospectively for three time points (TPs): 5–10 days post-intake (shelter TP), ⩽1 week post-adoption (home TP1) and >1 week post-adoption (home TP2). Adoption returns were compared between hoarded and non-hoarded cats. Results The study included 195 hoarded cats, of which 174 were adopted. Of 164 cats with intake scores, 86 (52%) were scored as ‘friendly’ at intake. Forty-five cats had socialization scores for all of the TPs, and of these, the percentages of ‘supersocial’ or ‘social’ decreased from 87% at the shelter TP to 47% at home TP1, then increased to 84% at home TP2. Most cats that scored as ‘tense’ at intake had supersocial or social scores at home TP2. Nine of the 88 cats with survey results had out-of-box (OOB) elimination in either the shelter or home but only 1/88 in both. Adopters expressed positive feelings for 42/43 cats for which feelings-based language was used in their survey responses. Notable behaviors, such as neediness, were recorded for 48/88 cats. Relationships with other household pets were typically positive. Eighteen of 174 hoarded (10%) and 188/2662 non-hoarded (7.1%) cats were returned post-adoption. Of these, six hoarded and 87 non-hoarded returns included behavioral reasons. There were no significant differences between hoarded and non-hoarded cats for total or behavioral returns. Conclusions and relevance Hoarded cats had high adoption rates, high adopter satisfaction and the potential for good emotional well-being in adoptive homes. Behavior at intake and OOB elimination in the shelter may not reflect post-adoption behavior. Behavior-based outcome decisions for these vulnerable animals should be deferred to allow time for habituation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Behavior and adoptability of hoarded cats admitted to an animal shelter

Jacobson

Ellis

Janke

et al. 2022

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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“…This study used a DSS to define the cat's temperament before providing the treatments. Based on the knowledge that cats with diverse behavioral demeanors respond differently to different types of stressors or environmental enrichment, the cats were divided into two groups, DSS1 (friendly cat) and DSS2 (aggressive cat) [23]. According to the study's results, the demeanor score affected cat stress levels, with DSS2 having a baseline significantly higher CSS than DSS1.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salivary cortisol measurement is less invasive than blood sampling and can potentially reflect short-term stress in the same way as plasma cortisol levels [19]. The cage environment was enriched by providing opportunities to hide, such as a hiding box and/or partially covering the cage front, which can reduce fear and stress in cats [15,[20][21][22][23]. Leij et al [24] found that hiding enrichment also minimized behavioral stress in shelter cats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in shelter cats exposed for 21 days, the product did not reduce stress scores [28]. The response to each environmental enrichment depended on the cat's behavioral style [23]. A cat demeanor scoring system (DSS) has been used in many previous behavioral research studies to classify cat temperament [29,30], which veterinarians can also use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

et al. 2022

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Background and Aim: In Thailand, domestic cats are the most common companion animal, and many are admitted to veterinary clinics for neutering surgery; however, such environment can induce stress. This is the first study to evaluate stress in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery using cat stress score (CSS) and salivary cortisol levels, including the impact of providing a hiding box (B) and/or administering a pheromone product to reduce stress. Materials and Methods: The study design was based on a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 80 domestic cats undergoing routine neutering surgery were assessed for their behavioral demeanor scoring system (DSS) as friendly (DSS1) and aggressive (DSS2) based on a DSS. During admission, the cats were randomly allocated to single standard cages with one of the following treatments: (B), feline facial pheromone (P), a combination of hiding box and the pheromone (BP), or no additional enrichment (C). Cat stress score, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were recorded. The cortisol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to assess the salivary cortisol level. Results: On the 1st day of admission, aggressive cats had a significantly higher CSS (4.16 ± 0.29) than friendly cats (3.27 ± 0.16). Both demeanor cat groups showed statistically significant reductions in stress levels earlier than the control group after providing the enrichments. Saliva cortisol measurements ranged from 0.24 to 0.66 ng/mL. No statistical differences in cortisol levels were observed between the 1st day and other days of admission. In contrast, no differences in food intake and hide-seeking behavior were seen within each group during the same period. Conclusion: Results suggested that stress and stress responses in cats depended on behavioral demeanor. The provision of enrichment, including hiding box and feline facial pheromone in singly housed caging reduced stress, especially in aggressive cats. However, salivary cortisol analysis, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were ineffective for assessing stress in cats after neutering surgery.

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“…Furthermore, because cats are solitary hunters and territorial animals [ 29 ], a visit by a researcher with handling skills may cause a stress response in the cat. One solution to these problems is to utilize physiological samples that allow noninvasive collection, such as feces [ 30 , 31 , 32 ] and urine [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The relationship between fecal cortisol levels and social interactions with owners in cats is not yet conclusive, as it may be influenced by factors such as the experimental environment and the cat’s personality [ 32 , 35 , 36 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological Assessment of the Health and Welfare of Domestic Cats—An Exploration of Factors Affecting Urinary Cortisol and Oxytocin

Kimura

Masuda

et al. 2022

Animals

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Physiological samples are beneficial in assessing the health and welfare of cats. However, most studies have been conducted in specialized environments, such as shelters or laboratories, and have not focused on cats living in domestic settings. In addition, most studies have assessed physiological stress states in cats based on cortisol, and none have quantified positive indicators, such as oxytocin. Here, we collected urine samples from 49 domestic cats and quantified urinary cortisol, oxytocin, and creatinine using ELISA. To identify factors influencing hormone levels, owners responded to questionnaires regarding their housing environment, individual cat information, and the frequency of daily interactions with their cats. Using principal component analysis, principal component scores for daily interactions were extracted. These results showed that the frequency of tactile and auditory signal-based communication by owners was positively correlated with the mean concentration of oxytocin in the urine. Additionally, this communication was more frequent in younger cats or cats that had experienced a shorter length of cohabitation with the owner. However, no factors associated with urinary cortisol concentration were identified. Our study indicates that interactions and relationships with the owner influence the physiological status of cats and suggests that oxytocin is a valuable parameter for assessing their health and welfare.

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Effects of the provision of a hiding box or shelf on the behaviour and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of bold and shy cats housed in single cages

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Behavior and adoptability of hoarded cats admitted to an animal shelter

Behavior and adoptability of hoarded cats admitted to an animal shelter

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

Physiological Assessment of the Health and Welfare of Domestic Cats—An Exploration of Factors Affecting Urinary Cortisol and Oxytocin

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