Animal well-being. II. Stress and distress

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Behavior
• Animal Welfare Science

Background:

• Stress and distress are critical to animal well-being, but definitions and measurements remain debated.
• Factors like captivity, threats, and aversive stimuli can disrupt an animal's homeostasis.
• Animal well-being is a complex state influenced by perception, feelings, and environmental interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the concepts of stress and distress in relation to animal well-being.
• To explore the biological and behavioral responses to threats to homeostasis.
• To emphasize the role of animal perception in mediating responses to environmental factors.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on animal stress, distress, and well-being.
• Analysis of the neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to homeostatic challenges.
• Discussion of the subjective and objective components of animal quality of life.

Main Results:

• Threats to homeostasis trigger adaptive or maladaptive responses involving the nervous and endocrine systems.
• Persistent stress can lead to prolonged neuroendocrine hyperactivity, impairing well-being.
• Individual coping styles and the animal's perception of stimuli are crucial determinants of response.

Conclusions:

• Animal well-being is enhanced by familiarity with the environment and predictability of changes.
• Understanding an animal's subjective perception is paramount for effective welfare management.
• Differentiating normal from abnormal internal states can be challenging, highlighting the importance of individual variability.