title: Are cats (Felis catus) from multi-cat households more stressed? Evidence from assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis.
abstract: Given the social and territorial features described in feral cats, it is commonly assumed that life in multi-cat households is stressful for domestic cats and suggested that cats kept as single pets are likely to have better welfare. On the other hand, it has been hypothesized that under high densities cats can organize themselves socially thus preventing stress when spatial dispersion is unavailable. This study was aimed at comparing the general arousal underpinning emotional distress in single housed cats and in cats from multi-cat households (2 and 3-4 cats) on the basis of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) measured via enzyme immunoassay (EIA). GCM did not significantly vary as a function of living style (single, double or group-housing); highly stressed individuals were equally likely in the three groups. Young cats in multi-cat households had lower GCM, and overall cats that tolerate (as opposed to dislike) petting by the owners tended to have higher GCM levels. Other environmental aspects within cat houses (e.g. relationship with humans, resource availability) may play a more important role in day to day feline arousal levels than the number of cats per se.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP CEP: 005508-270, Brazil. Electronic address: daniela.ramos@usp.br.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reche-Junior
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Fragoso
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palme
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Yanasse
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Gouvêa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010551:Personality; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Cortisol; Enzyme immunoassay; Feline; Housing; Non-invasive