Evaluation of the addition of in-cage hiding structures and toys and timing of administration of behavioral assessments with newly relinquished shelter cats

Abstract

Keywords: welfare behavior cat enrichment shelter stress a b s t r a c t Most cats entering shelters are euthanized. This study used behavioral assessments to determine how quickly a cat acclimated to its new environment and whether enrichment eased this transition. Twentyfive cats at 2 municipal shelters were evaluated with 2 separate standardized behavioral assessments at 3 separate times, beginning the day after entering the shelter. One behavioral assessment included an in-cage evaluation, whereas the other assessment involved a stepwise combined in-and out-of-cage evaluation. Eleven of the cats were given a cardboard box to hide in and a toy in the cage, whereas 14 cats were not given these objects. Our results suggest that cats need 72 hours to achieve optimum behavioral scores and a decrease in stress levels based on the 2 separate evaluations. The tests were correlated in their outcomes.

The effect of space on behaviour in large groups of domestic cats kept indoors

“…Often the assessment of the Stress Score coincided with the long periods of relaxation. This tool have been used in many studies when assessing stress in cats Turner, 1997, 1999b;Ottway and Hawkins, 2003;McCobb et al, 2005;Dybdall et al, 2007;Kry and Casey, 2007;Gooding et al, 2012;Tanaka et al, 2012;Broadley et al, 2013;Moore and Bain, 2013;Rehnberg et al, 2015). It can be difficult to compare the results from different studies using the tool since the calculations from scores differ between studies.…”

The use of hides to reduce acute stress in the newly hospitalised domestic cat (Felis sylvestris catus)

“…The use of a hiding enrichment has been demonstrated to reduce behavioural and physiological signs of stress in cattery -housed cats (e.g. Gourkow and Fraser, 2006;Vinke et al, 2014, but see: Moore and Bain, 2013). Cats that can hide have reduced cortisol levels (Carlstead et al, 1993) and will utilise other items (e.g.…”

“…However, cattery based studies demonstrate a reduction in stress over several days (e.g. 3 days, Moore and Bain, 2013;Vinke et al, 2014) but most hospitalised cats are housed for short periods of less than one day (e.g. for elective neutering).…”

The Use of Refuges by Communally Housed Cats

“…Many studies have been conducted with the implementation of shelters for solitary cats kept in shelters or laboratories, resulting in a decrease in cortisol levels [ 28 ] or even lower stress scores (Cat-Stress-Score, [ 29 ]) [ 25 , 27 ]. Boxes with the possibilities of internal and superficial exploration may also increase the available area for resting where it is not possible to increase the floor area [ 30 ]. However, there are still no studies evaluating changes in the use of available space from environmental enrichment with boxes.…”

“…However, there are still no studies evaluating changes in the use of available space from environmental enrichment with boxes. Similarly, although Vinke et al [ 27 ] and Kry and Casey [ 25 ]emphasize the importance of such studies with cats kept in groups, so far we only have results with cats tested alone [ 13 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 30 ].…”