Animal behavior and welfare

Animal behavior and welfare

Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Introduction to Animal Behaviour

• Animal behaviour refers to the actions and reactions of animals in response to various stimuli from the environment.
• It is a crucial aspect of animal science as it helps us comprehend how, why and when animals behave in particular ways.

Types of Animal Behaviour

• Innate behaviour is instinctive and is performed correctly the first time it is triggered.
• Learned behaviour develops during the animal’s life as a result of experiences and interactions.
• Social behaviour covers the various ways animals interact with each other, which can involve cooperation, competition, and communication.

Animal Welfare

• Animal welfare refers to an animal’s physical and psychological well-being.
• Assessing animal welfare can be based on physical health, behaviour and whether the animal is able to engage in natural activities.
• It’s the ethical responsibility of humans to ensure the welfare of animals in their care.

Animal Rights and Welfare Law

• Animal rights assert that animals have inherent value beyond their use to humans, and should be treated with respect and kindness.
• The Animal Welfare Act is the central piece of legislation in the UK concerned with animal welfare and cruelty, while various other laws may also apply.
• Breaches of these laws can lead to penalties including imprisonment or a ban on animal keeping.

Behavioural Indicators of Welfare

• Changes in behaviour can indicate problems with an animal’s health or welfare.
• Signs of poor welfare may include abnormal behaviours, changes in appetite, over-grooming or aggression.
• Regular observational checks are vital to quickly identify and respond to welfare issues.

Role of Ethology in Animal Welfare

• Ethology, the scientific study of animal behaviour, is used to identify natural behaviours and understand their implications in different situations.
• Understanding natural behaviour can help design environments that meet the physical and psychological needs of animals.

Impact of Environment on Behaviour and Welfare

• The environment greatly influences an animal’s behaviour and welfare.
• Suitable housing should minimally stress the animal and provide opportunities for natural behaviour.
• Unsuitable environments can cause distress, inducing abnormal behaviours and negatively affecting the animal’s welfare.

Human Influence on Animal Behaviour and Welfare

• Humans can fundamentally affect both animal behaviour and welfare positively or negatively.
• A positive human-animal interaction fosters good animal welfare by improving the animal’s physical health and psychological well-being.
• Negative interactions, such as neglect or abuse, can severely compromise an animal’s welfare causing profound distress and illness.

Importance of Animal Behaviour and Welfare

• Understanding the link between animal behaviour and welfare is fundamental to manage and protect animals effectively.
• Good welfare ensures the animal can express their natural behaviours, it also improves their lifespan, reproduction, resistance to disease, and productivity.