Does the level of outdoor access at home affect stress behaviours in hospitalised cats?

The objective of this study was to provide baseline knowledge of the effect of outdoor access in the home environment on stress behaviours of cats during hospitalisation. The authors carried out a prospective, partially blinded, observational study of the behaviour of 26 domestic cats. Participants were given an ethogram-based stress score. Statistical analysis assessed differences in stress scores between groups of participants with different levels of outdoor access, in addition to secondary investigations. No significant association was found between the level of outdoor access and stress score at any behavioural observation, despite trends suggesting that stress score increased as the level of outdoor access increased. Stress in indoor cats increased at each behavioural observation. The authors concluded that the level of outdoor access in the home environment may not affect stress behaviours in cats during veterinary hospitalisation, although trends demonstrated in the results indicate that similar research should be repeated. Stress increased in all participant categories during behavioural observations. Suggestions for veterinary practices include ensuring outdoor cats are provided with larger kennels where available and appropriate, and supporting indoor cats by providing increased human interaction after admission. Where needed, interventions should be performed immediately rather than in the first 25 minutes after admission (the time period examined in the study), when stress scores have increased.