This chapter addresses the positive effects of social affiliation that extend beyond these fitness benefits. Current evidence convincingly demonstrates that social mammals (including humans, as well as some nonmammalian species) share a distinct attribute, referred to as social support, whereby...

In this chapter, a review of what is known about how mental health may be influenced-for the better and for the worse-and how that research can be used to create programs that can improve and perhaps even optimize mental health of animals was discussed. The authors also took a developmental...

Accurate assessment of emotional or affective state provides a foundation for scientific investigations into the mental health and well-being of animals and is the focus of this chapter. This chapter begins by discussing what emotion actually is and the inherent challenges of studying a phenomenon...

In this chapter the clinical aspects and treatment options for distress-related behaviors in animals were discussed focusing on the non-pharmacological methods.

All farmed animals are regarded as sentient beings, so their welfare is a matter of much public concern. Positive and negative aspects of the welfare of animals during transport should be assessed using a range of behavioural, physiological and carcass-quality measures. Health is an important part...

Sheep handling, behaviour during handling and the stressfulness of different handling procedures are reviewed. There are both individual and breed differences in responses to isolation from other sheep. Isolation is also highly stressful for sheep which, as a species, have intense following and...

A review of some of the behavioural signs associated with pain, health and disease in cats was presented in this chapter as well as a discussion on the link between physiological and psychological welfare.

In this chapter, ways on managing feline stress due to various stress factors (diseases, predators, neutering, presence of other cats and neighboring animals) as well advice on putting fences were discussed.

This chapter dicusses the central regulation of behaviour; emotion and consciousness; decision making, reward system and neurotransmission; control of circadian rhythms; sleep; regulation of food intake and eating; hormonal control of feeding behaviour; feeding and decision-making; reproductive and ...

This chapter discusses the opinion, experience, emotional stress, and recommendations of an RSPCA scientific officer with regards to becoming an officer for an animal welfare organization.