Abstract
Simple SummaryIt is important for cat caretakers to understand individual differences in response to stress. Identifying coping styles in cats may lead to improved health and welfare outcomes. In this study, we collected information from cat guardians pertaining to personality traits then singly-housed each cat for three days to mimic admittance to a veterinary hospital or shelter. Behavior was recorded hourly and response to approach of a familiar and unfamiliar person was assessed at the end of day 3. We found individual differences in the behavioral responses of cats to the acute stress of cage confinement. Additionally, guardian-rated personality traits agreed with the response of the cats when confined to a cage, suggesting that domestic cats have different coping styles. Identifying individual differences in response to stressful events or environments may provide caretakers with important information leading to improved welfare.Identifying coping styles in cats may lead to improved health and welfare. The aims of this study were to (1) identify individual differences in response to acute confinement, and (2) to assess the predictability of guardian-rated personality traits on behavior. Adult cats (n = 55) were singly housed in enriched cages and behavioral observations were recorded for three days. On day 3, familiar and unfamiliar person approach tests were conducted. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) were quantified from voided samples. A questionnaire assessing personality traits and sickness behaviors was completed by each guardian. Analysis identified two clusters—cats in Cluster 1 (n = 22) were described as shy, calm, mellow, and timid; cats in Cluster 2 (n = 33) were described as active, playful, curious, and easygoing. Multilevel mixed-effects GLM revealed significant differences between the clusters including food intake (C1 > C2, p < 0.0001), affiliative/maintenance behaviors (C2 > C1, p < 0.0001), vocalization (C2 > C1, p < 0.0001), hide (C1 > C2, p < 0.0001), perch (C2 > C1, p < 0.0001), and latency to approach a familiar (C1 > C2, p < 0.0001) and unfamiliar (C1 > C2, p = 0.013) person. No statistically significant differences in FGM concentrations were identified (cluster p = 0.28; day p = 0.16, interaction p = 0.26). Guardian-rated personality traits agreed with the response of the cats when confined to a cage, suggesting that domestic cats have different coping styles. Identifying individual differences in response to stressful events or environments may provide caretakers with important information leading to improved welfare.
Highlights
Cats face many challenges to their welfare when housed in cages in veterinary hospitals, shelters, or laboratories
The guardian rating, behavioral coding, and physiologic stress response (FGM) data collected in this study suggest that individual differences in response to acute confinement in a cage exist and that
The guardian rating, behavioral coding, and physiologic stress response (FGM) data collected in guardian-reported cat personality traits were consistent with their observed behaviors when confined
Summary
Cats face many challenges to their welfare when housed in cages in veterinary hospitals, shelters, or laboratories. These include physical components of the housing environment, such as temperature, Animals 2019, 9, 370; doi:10.3390/ani9060370 www.mdpi.com/journal/animals. Animals 2019, 9, 370 noise, cage size, hiding and perching opportunities (or lack thereof) as well as the social environment, including the quality of the human–cat interactions, presence of unfamiliar cats, or other animals such as dogs [1,2,3,4]. A stressor is a stimulus that disrupts homeostasis through activation of the hypothalamic stress response system that may be physical (e.g., heat/cold), psychological (e.g., perceived threat), or social (e.g., aggressive interactions) and categorized as either acute or chronic [5]. Exposure to unpredictable and uncontrollable environments that are intense, prolonged, or novel and exceed the individual’s ability to cope will result in negative outcomes [6,7,8]
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