A note on reward-related behaviour and emotional expressions in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes)—Basis for a novel tool to study animal welfare

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the profile and quantitative aspects of reward-related behaviour and emotional expressions during anticipation of positive (predictable or various unpredictable) or negative (predictable) rewards in a Pavlovian trace conditioning paradigm in farmed silver foxes. When anticipating a positive reward, silver foxes were more active, performed more stereotypical behaviour, had more erected ears and spent more time in the front of the cage compared to anticipating aversive stimuli. Foxes were only to a minor degree able to discriminate the two different positive paradigms. In conclusion, studies related to anticipatory behaviour may be useful for the development of indicators of positive emotional states and, thus, positive welfare, in farmed silver foxes.