Age-dependent decline in locomotor activity in dogs is environment specific.
A decrease in motor activity is an expected concomitant of normal aging and has been reported in humans and nonhuman mammals. We have previously failed to find age differences in open-field locomotor activity in beagle dogs. We now report an age-associated decline when activity measures are taken in the home cage. Locomotor activity of young and aged dogs was examined in both open-field and home-cage environments. Dogs were given six activity tests (two open field, two morning and two afternoon home-cage tests) every second day. Aged dogs were less active than young dogs in the home cage but not in the open field. Activity also varied as a function of sex and housing condition. Behavioral activity is a complex manifestation of many underlying factors.
Siwak
Christina T
CT
Division of Life Sciences, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4.
Murphey
Heather L
HL
Muggenburg
Bruce A
BA
Milgram
Norton W
NW
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004285:Dogs; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology