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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Factors influencing stress and fear-related behaviour of cats during veterinary examinations
Italian journal of animal science, Vol.20(1), pp.46-58
15/01/2021
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Abstract
This study documented behaviour of cats during veterinary examinations investigating possible associations between their behaviour and age, gender, temperament, clinical parameters and familiarity with pet carriers, car rides and veterinary clinics. Background information (i.e. temperament and familiarity with pet carriers, car rides and veterinary clinics), signalment, clinical parameters and behaviour were recorded for 95 cats during a veterinary examination. Their behaviour was analysed and a behavioural profile was attributed (alert, anxious, frightened, irritated, agonistic). Aggressive cats tended to exhibit more scratching/attempt to scratch and hard stare behaviour. Half of the cats vocalised and cats vocalised more when they were not familiar with pet carriers (p = .010) and car rides (p = .005). Heart rate was higher than normal and was positively associated with mydriasis (p = .018) shown by the 85% of the cats. Males vocalised more than females (p = .007) who also had a lower total behavioural score (p = .002). Age was associated with the behaviour profile: young cats fell in the anxious profile, and were more likely to try to escape, and elderly cats exhibited a frightened and irritated profile and were more likely to show scratching, tail lashing and piloerection (all p < .05). Whilst cats first experiencing a veterinary examination attempted to escape more, those that were not familiar with car rides had higher behavioural scores (p = .05). Overall, veterinary examination was confirmed to be a stressful situation for cats in particular for those not familiar with pet carriers and car rides.
Details
- Title
- Factors influencing stress and fear-related behaviour of cats during veterinary examinations
- Creators
- Alessandra Tateo - University of Bari Aldo MoroMartina Zappaterra - University of BolognaAntonia Covella - University of Bari Aldo MoroBarbara Padalino - University of Bologna
- Publication Details
- Italian journal of animal science, Vol.20(1), pp.46-58
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 13
- Identifiers
- 991013293549902368
- Copyright
- © 2021 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Veterinary Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article