Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Emotions and mood influence animal behaviour, study finds
The study suggests that animals that lose fights are more negative and pessimistic.
Discovery could have practical benefits for animal welfare.

Emotions and mood influence animal behaviour in a similar way to humans, according to new research.

Findings published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. suggest that animals display positive moods when they “win” and negative moods when they “lose”. 

Principal investigator Dr Gareth Arnott from Queens University Belfast, said the discovery could have practical benefits for the future of animal welfare. 

“Good welfare requires animals to have few negative emotions and lots of opportunities for positive experiences, he said. “Understanding animal emotions and why they evolved will, therefore, help us to measure and improve animals' emotional states and welfare.”

Researchers previously investigating animal contests have focused on how animals assess the value of a resource and their opponent’s fighting ability. In this new study, scientists argue that assessments contribute to an animals’ emotional state, and that emotions drive animal behaviour. 

Their paper indicates that, just as depressed or anxious humans are more pessimistic about the future, animals that lose fights are more negative and pessimistic, and are therefore less willing to engage in future fights. 

Lead author Andrew Crump, a postdoctoral researcher from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s, explained: “Human emotion influences unrelated cognition and behaviour. For example, people rate their overall life satisfaction higher on sunny days than rainy days. 

"We have found that animals’ emotions also influence unrelated cognition and behaviour. For example, animals that won a contest experienced a more positive mood and expected fewer predators in their environment. Similarly, animals that lost a contest experienced negative emotions and took part in less future contests. These carryover effects may lead to maladaptive behaviour."

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.