Effects of Density and Cage Size on Stress in Domestic Cats(Felis Sil Vestris Catus)Housed in Animal Shelters and Boarding Catteries
| Autor: | M R Kessler, D C Turner |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1999 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Animal Welfare. 8:259-267 |
| ISSN: | 2054-1538 0962-7286 |
| Popis: | This study investigated the influence of density and floor area on stress and the adaptation process of cats in animal shelters and boarding catteries. Sixty-three rescued cats were observed on 113 days in a shelter at group densities of 0.3-0.9 animals m−2. In addition, 49 rescued cats were observed during their first week after being admitted to a control group housed at a density of 0.5 or 0.8 animals m−2, and 44 boarding cats were observed in single cages of either 0.7 or 1.0 m2floor area during their first week in a cattery.Group density was highly correlated with the stress level of animals housed in groups. A stress level of ‘weakly tense ‘ was reached when the group density reached 0.6 animals m−2. During the first week of their stay, stress levels among cats which had been newly admitted to groups housed at 0.5 or 0.8 animals m−2did not differ significantly. On days 1, 2 and 6 after admission, boarding cats housed in single cages with a floor area of 1.0m2had significantly lower stress levels than animals in cages with a floor area of 0.7m2.Group density was clearly shown to influence the adaptation process of cats which were housed for several weeks in groups. In order to avoid high stress levels, a group density of 0.6 animals m−2should not be exceeded. However, the minimum spatial requirement for singly housed cats remains unknown. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|