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Small prey species' behaviour and welfare: implications for veterinary professionals
1School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
The Journal of Small Animal Practice
|May 18, 2017
Summary
Understanding small prey mammal behavior is crucial for their welfare. This review offers practical advice for owners and veterinary professionals to improve the lives of these animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Welfare Science
Background:
- Animal welfare legislation, such as the UK Animal Welfare Act, mandates the prevention of unnecessary suffering.
- Veterinary professionals must provide evidence-based advice on animal care and recognize their expertise limitations.
- The ethical concept of a 'life worth living' and the Five Freedoms are fundamental to animal welfare considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide veterinary professionals with scientifically-based insights into the welfare needs of small prey mammals.
- To address common owner misunderstandings regarding the behavior and care requirements of small prey mammals.
- To offer practical strategies for enhancing the welfare of captive small prey mammals.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on small prey mammal behavior and welfare.
- Contextualization of welfare needs within an evolutionary perspective.
- Extrapolation of findings to captive environments and practical application.
Main Results:
- Behavior is intrinsically linked to both physical health and the overall welfare of small prey mammals.
- Owners often misinterpret the behavioral signals and needs of small prey mammals.
- Understanding the internal (cognitive-emotional) and external (physical-social) environments is key to improving welfare.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing client understanding of small prey mammal behavior is essential for improving welfare.
- Meeting the behavioral freedoms of small prey mammals contributes to their well-being.
- Practical advice derived from evolutionary and captive context can improve owner-animal relationships and animal welfare.
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