Behavioral differences of shelter dogs under fluorescent versus LED lighting (2025)

Abrams, J., Wilson, K., Hegewald, J. et al.

Abstract

Fluorescent lighting is used in a wide variety of applications, most commonly because of its energy and heat saving capabilities. However, the flicker that accompanies fluorescent light can negatively impact humans and animals. Detrimental behavioral and physiological consequences have been observed in animals housed under fluorescent lighting. One animal population that is likely to be sensitive to the flicker, and often housed under fluorescent lighting, is shelter dogs. To date, no peer-reviewed research has examined the direct impact of fluorescent lighting on shelter dog behavior. Our aim was to evaluate in-kennel behavior using a two-room concurrent approach in which 54 shelter dogs were housed under either fluorescent (n = 20) or flicker free light-emitting diode (LED) lighting (n = 34). Dogs housed in the fluorescent room were more likely to be at the front of the kennel (odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95 % CI 1.49–4.40), standing (OR 2.32, CI 1.52–3.53), barking (OR 4.68, CI 2.52–8.67), and lip licking (OR 1.71, CI 1.03–2.83) while those in the LED room were more likely to be at the back of the kennel (OR 0.42, CI 0.29–0.61), facing backward (OR 0.44, CI 0.28–0.69), lying down (OR 0.38, CI 0.25–0.56), and on their beds (OR 0.6, CI 0.39–0.95). Overall, investigation of differences in behavior between the two lighting conditions hints at a relationship between more active behaviors observed in dogs when housed under fluorescent and less active behaviors when housed under LED lighting. These results highlight the need for additional research assessing the effects that seemingly imperceptible light flickering may have on this vulnerable population, to further our understanding of ways to reduce environmental stress in a kennel setting.