Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Frothy saliva—A novel indicator to assess stereotypies in sows?

The present study aimed at introducing a reliable and more feasible indicator to evaluate stereotypies in sows in comparison with the Welfare Quality® animal welfare assessment protocol for sows and piglets’. Therefore, the indicators for the assessment of stereotypies of...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Friedrich, L., Krieter, J., Kemper, N. et al. 2020. Frothy saliva—A novel indicator to assess stereotypies in sows? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 222, 104897.

Importance of basic research on the causes of feather pecking in relation to welfare

Feather pecking is a prominent issue in the commercial egg industry, associated with economic losses and welfare problems. A non-systematic literature search suggests that studies on feather pecking are predominantly concerned with applied research goals. That is to say, they...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Fijn, L., van der Staay, F., Goerlich-Jansson, V. et al. 2020. Importance of basic research on the causes of feather pecking in relation to welfare. Animals 10(2), 213.

Infrared thermography as an indicator of heat loss in fur-chewing chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

Fur-chewing is a common problem in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). It may affect the welfare of animals due to heat loss, thereby possibly impacting food and water intake to maintain body temperature. In this context, infrared thermography seems to be a...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Rodent

Citation: Łapiński, S., Orel, J., Niedbała, P. et al. 2020. Infrared thermography as an indicator of heat loss in fur-chewing chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 23(3), 338-347.

It’s Okay to Cry – Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V

This is the 5th volume of selected discussions that took place on the electronic Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum between February 2016 and December 2019. The forum was created in October 2002; it allows the international animal care community...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, External Bodily Equipment, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cat, Chinchilla, Dog, Ferret, Guinea Pig, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Reinhardt, V. (ed.) 2020. It’s Okay to Cry - Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Impact of a cattle brush on feedlot steer behavior, productivity, and stress physiology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of environmental enrichment (EE), in the form of a cattle brush, on feedlot cattle behavior, productivity and stress physiology. Steers were blocked by weight and assigned to one of...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Park, R. M., Schubach, K. M., Cooke, R. F. et al. 2020. Impact of a cattle brush on feedlot steer behavior, productivity and stress physiology. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 228, 104995.

Pigs with but not without access to pieces of recently harvested wood show reduced pen-mate manipulation after a provision of feed and straw

In barren environments of commercial farms, pig often redirect their rooting and chewing behaviours at other pigs, which can lead to tail biting. When materials such as straw are provided, the quantity is usually too small to have an effect....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Telkanranta, H., Valros, A. 2020. Pigs with but not without access to pieces of recently harvested wood show reduced pen-mate manipulation after a provision of feed and straw. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 232, 105103.

Pre-weaning socialization and environmental enrichment affect life-long response to regrouping in commercially-reared pigs

Weaning and other regrouping events as routine work in commercial farms cause stress to pigs and compromise their welfare. Several studies found positive outcomes to mitigate weaning stress when piglets were socialized (i.e. co-mingled) or raised with enrichment materials in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ko, H., Chong, Q., Escribano, D. et al. 2020. Pre-weaning socialization and environmental enrichment affect life-long response to regrouping in commercially-reared pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 229, 105044.

Refining in-cage enrichment for specialized mouse scenarios

Environmental enrichment is a critical component of a high-quality animal care and use program to provide opportunities for species-specific behaviors and redirect abnormal repetitive behaviors. We used a scoring system to review our enrichment for singly housed mice to assess...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Oldham, S., Minton, E., Ford, M. et al. 2025. Refining in-cage enrichment for specialized mouse scenarios. JAALAS 64(5), 968–976.

A multimodal approach to treatment and management of rumination syndrome in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

The management of chronic rumination syndrome in professionally cared-for animals requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. In this case study, a multimodal approach incorporating pharmacological treatment, feeding modifications, and behavioral management was applied to a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Ramos, A. M., McClain, A., Dunham, J. M. et al. 2025. A multimodal approach to treatment and management of rumination syndrome in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Animals 15(20), 3039.

From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being

This chapter focuses mainly on animals in medical research. Many, especially the smaller species such as rat, mice, and zebrafish, may be seen only a few minutes a day by their human caregivers. Most laboratory animals are kept in confinement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Regulations & Ethical Review, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: All/General, Fish, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Rat, Rodent, Zebrafish

Citation: Serageldine, C. E., Robinson-Junker, A., Alvino, G. et al. 2025. From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being. In Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (pp. 308–322).