Page 36 - Gateways_2017_Fall

Welfare at Home continued

Mix It Up TRY THIS AT HOME

Until now, no scientific data have supported the idea that animals
that display a wide array of behaviors—as opposed to repetition of Does your pet show an array of behaviors
singular behaviors—are better off. A recent study coauthored by Dr. during the course of an average day? Dogs
Lance Miller, the Chicago Zoological Society’s senior director of and cats should groom themselves, peer
animal welfare research, is a step toward validating the hypothesis out the window, sniff new objects, interact
that animals participating in diverse activities during an average day with human companions, and even get
also reveal evidence of enhancedwelfare. into an occasional scuffle with other pets.
For three months, scientists analyzed the relationship between Fish sometimes pick up pebbles to build a
cheetahs demonstrating a diversity of behaviors—including nest or investigate the surface. Lizards may
grooming, playful chasing, interacting with objects, and rolling demonstrate hunting or foraging behaviors.
around on the ground—and the amount of adrenal hormones in
their feces. Elevatedlevels of these hormones often are correlated If your pet is not showing diverse behaviors,
with stress, so the scientists posited that they would see an inverse check with your vet to make sure the pet
relationship between the diversity of behaviors and adrenal hormones. is physically well. If the behavior is typical,
e study demonstrated that an increase in diverse behaviors relates consider adding enriching items. First,
to lower stresshormones. observe what times of day the pet is most
In other words, when animals exhibit a broad array of behaviors, active and introduce new activities then.
itis a good indicator that their psychological needs are being met.
eapplication of these ndings is exciting for zoos, aquariums, Add change slowly. When we humans do
animal sanctuaries, agricultural industries—and for pet owners. too much at the gym on January 2, we
e study authors acknowledge that it is best to use multiple suffer a little the next day. It takes time for
indicators of welfare to ensure an animal is thriving—is an your pet to adjust to new activity levels.
animal active? does it have a healthy appetite?—but
they note that observing behavioral diversity is a
low-cost and easy alternative to testing feces for
concentrations of hormones.
is study was conducted with
thesupport of Howard Simpson. █

According to a study
coauthored by a Chicago
Zoological Society expert,
there seems to be a
correlation between the
display of diverse activities
and a decrease in hormones
that signal stress.

36 GATEWAYS | IS YOUR HOME A ZOO?