Influence of Cinnamon and Catnip on the Stereotypical Pacing of Oncilla Cats (Leopardus tigrinus) in Captivity

Abstract

Nonhuman animals in captivity can experience environmental privation that results in their exhibiting abnormal behaviors. Environmental enrichment techniques can help improve their welfare. This study investigated the behavior of 8 zoo-housed oncilla cats (Leopardus tigrinus) in response to 2 odors (catnip and cinnamon) introduced individually into the animals' enclosures for 3 consecutive days. Proportion of scans spent engaging in stereotypical pacing were compared before, during, and after treatments. The addition of cinnamon reduced the proportion of pacing during and after enrichment (Wilcoxon: Z = 3.16, p < .001; Z = 3.16, p < .001, respectively), indicating a prolonged effect of the enrichment on the animals' behavior. Catnip appears to have elicited no significant difference in the stereotypic pacing before, during, or after the enrichment (Friedman: X(2) = 2.69; p = .260). The results highlight the potential use of cinnamon as a method of environmental enrichment for small captive-housed cats.

The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

“…Perhaps a study with female jaguars housed as singletons and as pairs should be conducted to test whether male behavior play a role in female low level or lack of pacing. Our data agree with previous studies reporting the addition of spices and a subsequent decrease in pacing displayed by felids (Wells and Egli, 2004;Skibiel et al, 2007;Resende et al, 2011). However, unlike our study, these investigators report their outcomes for all animals combined, which prevents uncovering the possible influence of individual attributes.…”

“…Until recently the provisioning of novel scents as enrichment alternatives for felids had been overlooked when compared to food items (Skibiel et al, 2007). However, adding odors has been shown to be successful in minimizing the time devoted to pacing (Skibiel et al, 2007;Quirke and O'Riordan, 2011;Resende et al, 2011).…”

“…While there is little doubt about the effectiveness of environmental enrichment on reducing stereotypic and abnormal behavior, the remaining challenge has been to determine suitable enrichment models for a given species. Different models have been introduced to felid enclosures, varying from novel food items or olfactory stimuli (Mellen and Shepherdson, 1997;McPhee, 2006;Bashaw et al, 2003;Wells and Egli, 2004;Skibiel et al, 2007;Quirke and O'Riordan, 2011;Resende et al, 2011) to objects or physical toys (Moreira et al, 2007). Until recently the provisioning of novel scents as enrichment alternatives for felids had been overlooked when compared to food items (Skibiel et al, 2007).…”

¿La hierba gatera merece ese nombre?

“…Sin embargo, el diseño usado no permite concluir si el beneficio del uso de nepetalactona es aditivo o sinérgico a las feromonas felinas o si es efectiva por sí misma, ya que se compara la monoterapia de feromonas frente a feromonas y nepetalactona, pero no se utilizó en ningún momento extracto de nepetalactona sin combinar. Más aún, incluso se llega a desmentir su uso como ayuda paliativa frente a estereotipias en grandes felinos residentes en zoos (Resende et al, 2011), presentando la canela mayor efecto calmante que la NC, que no pareció ejercer ninguna acción. Sin embargo, existen resultados diametralmente contrarios, que respaldan la respuesta empírica observada en felinos inducida por el olor de la hierba (Ellis y Wells, 2010).…”

Influence of olfactory enrichment on the exploratory behaviour of captive‐housed domestic cats

“…Under these conditions, cats tend to exhibit hiding behaviour or become inactive, and exploratory behaviour diminishes . Studies of environmental enrichment regarding zoo‐housed wild felids have used exploration as one of the main indicators of welfare . However, we need to improve our understanding of exploratory behaviour to be able to use it appropriately as a welfare indicator.…”