Applied Animal Behaviour Science最新文献

{"title":"Development of a consensus definition of “separation anxiety” for horses","authors":"Claire Ricci-Bonot ,&nbsp;Emanuela Dalla Costa ,&nbsp;Katherine Houpt ,&nbsp;Milly Jones ,&nbsp;V. Wensley Koch ,&nbsp;Gemma Pearson ,&nbsp;Hayley Randle ,&nbsp;Machteld van Dierendonck ,&nbsp;Daniel Simon Mills","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Horses are separated from other horses as part of routine management practices, such as for training, transport, competition or veterinary procedures. However, being separated from a close companion or being isolated from all other horses are both potentially stressful scenarios for a socially gregarious species like the horse, and some individuals can struggle to cope with this. In addition to social isolation, for a species with strong intraspecific group bonds, separation from an individual to whom the horse is particularly bonded, even with others still present, may also result in distress. What is commonly referred to as separation anxiety is not simply about being alone but may also relate to the loss of anyone to with whom the horse has a close bond. Therefore, the aim of this study was to better understand the nature of what is described as separation anxiety in horses and to build a consensus for the definition of this complaint for future research purposes, considering the contexts in which it may happen and the potential behaviours which can be expressed. To achieve this goal, we sought owner and caregiver opinion on separation anxiety in horses. Content analysis of the transcribed responses was conducted to reveal distinct definitions and contexts of separation anxiety along with the common signs shown by horses with separation anxiety. This was followed by an equine behavioural expert consensus exercise to provide external face validity for our analysis. We highlighted eight different contexts defined along two axes: one based on whether the horse is left behind or actively leaving the group, the other on the timing of the response within the separation process; this was separated into: during ‘preparation’ for departure; when ‘actively leaving or being left behind’; when there is an ‘initial barrier to contact’ and finally when there is a ‘loss of contact’. Moreover, we identified several signs potentially associated with separation anxiety, ranging from increased arousal (e.g., increase locomotor activity, hypervigilance) to ‘apathy’. We provide a theoretical model that integrates this information to illustrate the phenomenon commonly referred to as “separation anxiety in horses”. Future work can test the predictions made here and their clinical implications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106937"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of scattering black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as enrichment on the litter on growth performance, gut development and active behaviour of fast and slower-growing broilers","authors":"Chris Onuoha,&nbsp;Ashraf Alkhtib,&nbsp;Dawn Scholey,&nbsp;Emily J. Burton","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106933","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106933","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global drive for responsible production and consumption has increased the need for environmental enrichment strategies that promote activity and natural behaviours without compromising growth performance in broiler production. This study evaluated the effects of whole black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) provisioning method (trough or scattered on the litter) as enrichment on growth performance, feeding behaviour, activity and gut development of fast and slower-growing broiler strains (Ross 308 and Hubbard JA 787, respectively). A 2 × 2 full factorial design was used with a total of 320 male broiler chickens, equally representing both strains (8 pens per treatment,10 birds per pen). The birds received 15 g of dehydrated black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) per pen between 09:00 and 11:00 h on days 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 42 of age. Growth performance and bird behaviour were recorded for each pen. Two birds/pen were sampled for gut morphometry at the starter, grower and slaughter stages for both Ross 308 and JA 787 birds. The effect of insect provisioning method (scattering and trough feeding) on slaughter bird weight (p = 0.92), overall FCR (p = 0.315), overall weight gain (p = 0.78), and overall feed intake (p = 0.324) was insignificant regardless of bird strain. Scattering BSFL on the litter significantly increased total activity (Δ = 1.02 %, p = 0.018) when compared to trough feeding in the fast-growing (Ross308) broiler strains<em>.</em> There was no significant effect of provisioning method on total activity in the slower-growing broilers. Insect provisioning method had no significant effect on gut development (p &gt; 0.05). It can be concluded that scattering BSFL on the litter increases active behaviours (running, walking, preening, stretching and dustbathing) in the fast-growing broilers without compromising growth performance and gut development. This increase in activity has the potential to improve health and welfare in the fast-growing broilers; however, further study is needed to support these claims.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106933"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing welfare in commercially hatched chicks through naturalistic environmental enrichment","authors":"Enya Van Poucke,&nbsp;Sandra Frödén,&nbsp;Austeja Rutkauskaite,&nbsp;Per Jensen","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106934","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106934","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Laying hen chicks hatched in commercial hatcheries experience an industrialized process that induces long-term negative welfare effects. The static and homogenous industrial rearing environments contrast with the natural environment of fowl. Introducing environmental complexity has been shown to improve coping abilities, spatial learning, and foster positive affective states. This study aimed to assess if enriching the early environment of commercially hatched chicks could buffer hatchery stress. A total of 58 chicks were hatched at a commercial hatchery and randomly assigned to control (CC) or enriched (EC) pens. Beyond the standard conditions, the EC group received additional UVA/UVB light, peat, fake grass and plants, and a daily scattering of muesli and mealworms. After 4.5 weeks, chicks underwent behavioural, cognitive, and HPA-reactivity tests. In a cognitive judgement bias test, EC exhibited a more positive bias and in a spatial memory test they demonstrated shorter completion latencies and fewer immediate errors compared to CC. Although no differences were found in a novel object test, CC displayed higher general activity behaviours, whereas EC engaged in more comfort behaviours during an open field test. Despite higher baseline and post-restraint corticosterone levels in EC, both groups showed similar corticosterone reactions to a brief restraint. The higher basal levels in EC are probably related to higher activity level as a result of the enrichment. Lastly, EC had significantly fewer fault bars on their R1 feathers. In conclusion, enriching the rearing environment of commercially hatched chicks with naturalistic elements improves welfare by promoting positive affective states, enhancing exploration, and moderating acute stress levels. Moreover, by doing so, it could mitigate stressful experiences commonly incurred at commercial settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106934"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gustatory preferences of purple mud crab (Scylla tranquebarica) towards formulated diets made of various marine protein sources","authors":"Yew-Jun Lim ,&nbsp;Karsoon Tan ,&nbsp;Erra Norhanie Ahmad Shah ,&nbsp;Kit-Shing Liew ,&nbsp;Nur Fatihah Abd Halid ,&nbsp;Uun Yanuhar ,&nbsp;Annette Jaya-Ram ,&nbsp;Hon Jung Liew ,&nbsp;Leong-Seng Lim","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106955","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106955","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mud crabs are a valuable aquaculture species, yet no commercially formulated feed is available. The slow progress in feed development is to some extent due to their poor acceptance of formulated diets. Besides attractability, ensuring feed palatability is essential for developing a species-specific diet too, with protein sources playing a key role in this process. The present study examined the gustatory preference (palatability) of <em>Scylla tranquebarica</em> for pelleted diet formulated with three different marine protein sources: fish meal (FM), sergestid shrimp meal (SSM), and squid meal (SQM). From these protein sources, six isoproteic (45 % crude protein) and isolipidic (10 % crude lipid) diets were formulated and designated as FM100 (100 % fish meal protein), SQM100, SSM100, FM50SQM50 (50 % fish meal and 50 % squid meal proteins), FM50SSM50, and SSM50SQM50. These dietary formulations were designated to evaluate the palatability of individual protein sources as well as their combinations. Twenty wild <em>S. tranquebarica</em> were successfully acclimated and used in this experiment. The gustatory preference of <em>S. tranquebarica</em> for the experimental diets was assessed by observing and evaluating their feeding response to each diet. Their feeding responses were categorised into discrete levels and evaluated using a scoring method: a score of 0 indicated no response, 1 indicated tasting, and 2 indicated ingestion The mean feeding score for each dietary treatment was subsequently calculated as the representative data. All feeding score data were statistically analysed using a non-parametric repeated measures Friedman test, followed by a post hoc Conover test with Bonferroni correction. Statistical significance was accepted at <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05. Among the six diets, SQM100 attained the highest mean feeding score (1.65 out of 2.00), followed by SSM50SQM50 (1.60), SSM100 (1.45), FM50SQM50 (1.25), FM50SSM50 (1.15), and FM100 (0.70). The mean score of FM100 was significantly lower (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) than all other diets, while no significant differences (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05) were observed among the remaining five diets. Additionally, SQM100 and SSM100 were consumed by 65 % and 55 % of <em>S. tranquebarica</em>, respectively, whereas none consumed FM100, demonstrating a clear difference in dietary preference. By replacing 50 % of fish meal protein with squid or sergestid shrimp meal, the ingestion rate increased to 35 % for FM50SSM50 and 40 % for FM50SQM50, significantly enhanced the diet palatability. In conclusion, squid and sergestid shrimp meals are highly palatable protein sources for <em>S. tranquebarica</em> and can serve as effective substitutes for fish meal in their diet formulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106955"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Three musketeers of Brazilian ethology: A tribute to César Ades, Werner Robert Schmidek, and Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa","authors":"Artur Andriolo,&nbsp;Gelson Genaro","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106952","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106952","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106952"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Weather and seasonal effects in behavioural patterns for grazing cattle","authors":"Gustavo Paixão ,&nbsp;Fernando Mata ,&nbsp;Joaquim Cerqueira ,&nbsp;José Pedro Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106935","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106935","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weather conditions influence grazing cattle behaviour, affecting activities like grazing, ruminating, and resting. Understanding these behavioural responses to temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation is essential for managing livestock welfare and productivity amid changing climate patterns. The study monitored 20 Minhota breed cattle year-round, from January 1 to December 31, 2024 using GPS-accelerometer collars in Northern Portugal. Behaviour and weather data were analysed via canonical correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests to assess seasonal impacts on activity patterns and environmental influences. Significant differences (p &lt; 0.001) were found between all the analysed behaviours between the seasons. Grazing and walking peaked in spring and summer, following greater pasture availability. Conversely, resting and rumination increased in autumn and winter, reflecting lower energy demands and greater reliance on roughage. All recorded behaviours were influenced by the temperature indexes and solar radiation (p &lt; 0.001) and the temperature-humidity-sun-wind index correlated most strongly with resting time reductions (-0.62). Surprisingly, moderate heat stress did not suppress grazing and other behaviours like eating or playing. Rainfall negatively affected grazing while increasing rumination and resting (p &lt; 0.001). Canonical correlation revealed strong links between behaviour and environment, and the two canonical covariate pairs (CCP) explain 79.9 % of the variation between the two sets of variables. Seasonal and heat-related factors shaped distinct activity-rest patterns, highlighting cattle’s adaptive strategies and the importance of climate-aware livestock management. These findings highlight the need for climate-adaptive livestock management, including strategic feeding, shelter provision, and flexible grazing practices to mitigate climate change impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106935"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disentangling anthropogenic stimuli: Visual and acoustic components differentially impact captive pied tamarin behaviour","authors":"Fiene Steinbrecher ,&nbsp;Eluned C. Price ,&nbsp;Claudia A.F. Wascher ,&nbsp;Fay E. Clark ,&nbsp;Jacob C. Dunn","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106926","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106926","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthropogenic activity is increasingly disturbing wildlife, leading to negative impacts on species welfare and conservation. Despite this, very few studies have investigated how the different components of anthropogenic activity (including visual, acoustic, or other components) differentially affect animals. Such studies are important to better understand what animals may perceive as aversive in order to improve, not only captive management and welfare, but also wild management. This study aimed to disentangle the impacts of the visual and acoustic components of two different anthropogenic stimuli (zoo visitors and construction activity) on the critically endangered pied tamarin (<em>Saguinus bicolor</em>). We exposed 12 pair-housed pied tamarins at Jersey Zoo to either no stimuli (baseline), individual components (visual or acoustic stimuli only), or combinations of components (54 trials in total). We found that pied tamarins varied in their responses to the two different stimuli and to their different components, especially when presented in isolation. Visitor visual and visitor acoustic components presented in isolation led to increased vigilance. The combined presentation of visitor components weakened responses, indicating that simultaneous exposure to visual and auditory cues may provide more perceptual context to the primates. In contrast, construction noise caused a significant decrease in environmental engagement (indicated by decreased foraging and increased retreat behaviour). These findings emphasize the importance of understanding how animals respond to different sensory components of stimuli to improve captive management practices, enhance welfare, and ultimately help the conservation of endangered species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106926"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short-term stability over time and across situations of behavioural traits in gestating and lactating sows","authors":"Nicole Maffezzini ,&nbsp;Simon Turner ,&nbsp;Rainer Roehe ,&nbsp;Rick D’Eath","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106932","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106932","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Personality consists of the set of traits which show stable individual differences in behaviour over time and across contexts in a species. Personality has been previously studied in pigs, however few studies have focussed on adult females and on both the gestating and lactating phases of their reproductive cycle. The aim of this work was to identify candidate personality traits in breeding females, by assessing temporal stability and associations between situations. Adult female pigs (<em>Sus scrofa</em>) ranging from parity one to seven underwent a series of repeated tests and observations during late gestation (70–110 days after service) and during lactation (1–30 days after farrowing). In gestation, their response to a human in the home pen (n = 55, median 2 repeated tests per individual, ranging from 1 to 4) and social behaviour at feeding (n = 52, median 2 tests, 1–4) were assessed. In lactation their response to a dummy hand (n = 66, median 2 tests, 1–4) and lying down behaviour (n = 68, median 2 tests, 1–6) were recorded as indicators of maternal defence and maternal care. Out of the twelve variables measured in these four different situations, five were consistent over repeated tests at different times (i.e. the posterior distribution of their repeatability excluded values less than 0.01): dominance rank, number of attacks, and number of avoidances during feeding, number of vocalisations when exposed to a dummy hand, and probability of vocalising before lying down. We found correlations with an absolute value higher than 0.30 between number of attacks and number of avoidances during feeding (r = -0.33), number of attacks and number of vocalisations when exposed to the dummy hand (r = -0.52), and between the latter and probability of vocalising before lying down during lactation (r = 0.46). Our results suggest that social behaviour at feeding and acoustic signalling in different contexts are stable traits in adult female pigs. The estimated correlations between the traits might also indicate the presence of a proactive behavioural syndrome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106932"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recognising behaviourally relevant pig vocalisations for welfare assessment via a lightweight deep acoustic model","authors":"Yingying Lv,&nbsp;Yuqing Liu,&nbsp;Yuzhen Song,&nbsp;Jianping Wang,&nbsp;Qian Li","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106936","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106936","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pig vocalisations contain behavioural and affective information that can serve as acoustic indicators of welfare- and management-relevant events and physiological states, including respiratory signs, high-arousal stress-associated contexts, and reproductive receptivity. This study presents an integrated framework for non-invasive, event-level monitoring of behaviourally relevant pig vocalisations under commercial farm conditions. It employs a lightweight acoustic behaviour recognition model that classifies pig vocalisations into four ethologically relevant categories (normal, cough, oestrus, and scream). The proposed model is based on a hierarchical behaviour-aware deep feedforward sequential memory network (HB-DFSMN), which incorporates a hierarchical memory decay mechanism and dynamic temporal context fusion to enhance modelling of short-term and rhythmic acoustic features. Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) are used to represent time–frequency vocal characteristics, and the model includes depthwise separable convolution (DPConv) layers for computational efficiency. The system was trained and evaluated on 4238 labelled vocal samples collected from a commercial pig farm. Results demonstrate that the model accurately recognises distinct behaviour categories with 97.7 % accuracy using only 0.81 million parameters. Ablation studies further confirm that the behaviour-aware modules significantly enhance recognition of behaviourally meaningful signals. By enabling non-invasive, real-time recognition of these vocalisation classes, the method supports welfare-relevant event monitoring and reproductive and respiratory health management in precision livestock farming. Welfare interpretation should be contextualised with management events and auxiliary observations when available.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 106936"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparative analysis of the cat stress score and the novel psychological quality of life assessment tool for cats in a shelter setting","authors":"Tennille K. Lamon ,&nbsp;Margaret R. Slater ,&nbsp;Courtney Daigle ,&nbsp;Xandra Meneses ,&nbsp;Christine M. Budke","doi":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106925","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106925","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Given that there were approximately 4 million cats in shelters across 20 countries in 2024, there is a critical need to have accurate, reliable, non-invasive tools to evaluate shelter cat stress and welfare. This study was conducted to validate the newly developed Psychological Quality of Life (PQOL) assessment tool to evaluate welfare in cats newly admitted to an animal shelter. The PQOL is an 11-question assessment of a cat’s behavior, attitude, and activity. The PQOL was compared to the Cat Stress Score (CSS), a widely used non-invasive assessment tool used to determine stress levels in shelter cats. Fifty cats from a local shelter were assessed with both the PQOL and CSS by two independent observers at two time points on their second, fourth, and sixth day in the shelter. A Spearman rank correlation evaluated the relationship between the overall PQOL and CSS scores and between the overall PQOL and select individual PQOL questions. The inter-rater reliability (IRR) and intra-rater reliability (IaRR) for the overall PQOL, CSS and individual PQOL questions were measured with a quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa. There was a strong, positive correlation (0.73–0.79) between the CSS and overall PQOL for all three assessment days. The kappa for the CSS and overall PQOL had substantial agreement (0.58–0.75) between reviewers for all three assessment days at both time points indicating good reliability. Individual PQOL questions about interest in play, engagement with others, exploration, and showing positive emotions had a strong correlation with high overall PQOL for both time points across all three assessment days. The PQOL question about showing fear or anxiety had a strong correlation with a low overall PQOL score. The overall PQOL score was shown to be a valid and reliable metric to monitor stress and welfare in shelter cats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8222,"journal":{"name":"Applied Animal Behaviour Science","volume":"297 ","pages":"Article 106925"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}