Potential of Nail Cortisol for Welfare Assessment in Shelter and Owned Cats

IF 2.2 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Applied Animal Behaviour Science Pub Date : 2024-10-10 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106422

Pham Quoc Anh Minh, Thanida Nampimoon, Siraphop Sirirut, Sarinee Kalandakanond-Thongsong, Chutamas Benjanirut

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Shelter cats often experience considerable stressors, such as confinement and unfamiliar surroundings, leading to welfare challenges. Evaluating and enhancing their well-being is crucial, and measuring cortisol levels in cats’ nails offers a minimally invasive method for assessing stress and welfare. This study compared nail cortisol concentrations (NCCs) between owned cats (OC), and shelter cats in favorable conditions (FS) and unfavorable conditions (UFS) in Thailand and Vietnam. Nails from 31 OC, 29 FS, and 27 UFS cats were collected twice, approximately 28 days apart, with details of living conditions recorded at the second collection. Nail clippings were processed for NCC measurement using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. NCC levels of UFS cats were significantly higher than those of FS and OC cats in both collections, with no gender-based differences. NCCs positively correlated with dog exposure, and negatively correlated with space allowance, number of litterboxes, free-roaming time, air conditioning, and the presence and variety of enrichment (hiding places, elevated areas, outdoor views, scratching structures, and toys). These findings indicate that improved living conditions positively impact welfare, as indicated by NCCs. Nail cortisol can serve as a minimally invasive method for assessing cat welfare, particularly considering long-term factors, and offers valuable insights into the well-being of cats in various conditions.

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用指甲皮质醇评估收容所猫和宠物猫福利状况的潜力

收容所的猫咪经常会经历相当大的压力，如被关禁闭和不熟悉的环境，从而导致福利方面的挑战。评估和提高它们的福利至关重要，而测量猫指甲中的皮质醇水平为评估压力和福利提供了一种微创方法。本研究比较了泰国和越南饲养的猫（OC）和收容所中条件良好（FS）和条件不良（UFS）的猫的指甲皮质醇浓度（NCCs）。对 31 只 OC 猫、29 只 FS 猫和 27 只 UFS 猫的指甲进行了两次采集，每次采集间隔约 28 天，并在第二次采集时记录了生活条件的详细信息。剪下的指甲采用酶联免疫吸附试验技术进行NCC测定。在两次采集中，UFS猫的NCC水平都明显高于FS猫和OC猫，没有性别差异。NCC与狗的接触呈正相关，而与空间大小、猫砂盆数量、自由活动时间、空调以及丰富环境（藏身处、高处、户外景观、抓挠结构和玩具）的存在和种类呈负相关。这些研究结果表明，生活条件的改善会对动物的福利产生积极影响，NCCs 就表明了这一点。指甲皮质醇可以作为一种微创方法来评估猫的福利，尤其是考虑到长期因素，并为了解猫在各种条件下的福利状况提供了宝贵的信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 农林科学-行为科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

21.70%

发文量

191

审稿时长

18.1 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. Topics covered include: -Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare -Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems -Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation -Methodological studies within relevant fields The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects: -Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals -Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display -Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage -Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances -Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements