This is the third article in VetHelpDirect’s series on the five animal welfare needs. In this article, I will be looking into examples of why it is important that our pets can exhibit normal behaviour patterns, and what happens when this welfare need isn’t met. 

Table of contents

As a recap, the five welfare needs are to:

  • live in a suitable environment
  • eat a suitable diet
  • exhibit normal behaviour patterns
  • be housed with, or apart from, other animals
  • be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

What do we mean by ‘the need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns?’?

This means that we allow them to behave in a way that is normal for their species or breed. Many of these behaviours will be instinctive to the animal. Taking away their ability to perform these behaviours will cause frustration, boredom and stress, resulting in poor welfare. 

Example – Hamsters

Hamsters are a popular household pet. One of the most popular species of hamster is the Syrian hamster, which originates from the wild populations in Syria. 

Normal behaviours for hamsters include:

  • Being active at dusk and nighttime and sleeping during the day – this is because in the wild they sleep underground during the day to avoid predators
  • Chewing – this helps to grind down their teeth – which are constantly growing – to ensure they don’t overgrow
  • Stuffing their cheek pouches with food or bedding – in the wild they will use their cheeks to carry food or bedding materials back to their burrows where they can eat away from predators
  • Exercising – in the wild it is believed that hamsters cover distances of up to 5-6 miles per night. Experiments on laboratory hamsters have shown they are highly motivated to run and this is because running is likely associated with a release of endorphins (feel-good hormones)
  • Burrowing – in the wild hamsters dig complex burrows with multiple entrances and chambers specifically for food, nesting and other activities

What happens when these behavioural needs aren’t met?

Hamsters who are unable to exhibit one or several of the behaviours listed above will likely suffer from stress, frustration and boredom as a result. 

Let’s take exercise as an example. A study showed that hamsters that did not have access to an exercise wheel were more likely to perform stereotypical behaviour such as bar chewing and they were more likely to produce smaller litters than hamsters with access to a wheel. Stereotypical behaviours usually indicate poor welfare. 

Example – Cats

Cats share common ancestry with the African Wildcat. African Wildcats live alone, they have large territories and they hunt rodents. They leave scent marks to mark their territories to other wildcats. They need a lot of sleep and will sleep in high-up spots, away from predators. And they toilet away from sources of food or water to avoid contamination. 

Our domestic cats still exhibit many of these types of behaviours. 

Normal behaviours for domestic cats include:

  • Hunting – domestic cats are programmed to hunt and will do so even when they aren’t hungry. The process of hunting is thought to release endorphins (feel good hormones). This behaviour can be replicated through frequent play and through activities such as hiding food around the house
  • Scent marking – cats will mark their territory by rubbing their faces against furniture. This helps them feel safe and secure. They may also urine spray (but they usually do this outdoors)
  • Scratching – this is another way for cats to mark their territory, it also helps to keep their claws in good condition. 
  • Hiding – as a natural instinct, cats will hide when they are stressed, for example when a new visitor enters the home
  • Sleeping – cats need to sleep for about 16 hours a day. They usually rotate sleeping areas and may prefer to sleep in high locations
  • Burying after toileting – cats will instinctively bury their urine or faeces after toileting. They prefer to toilet in a private area away from their food or water bowls

What happens when these behavioural needs aren’t met?

Again, cats who can’t exhibit one or several of these behaviours are likely to suffer from stress, frustration or boredom. 

For example, a review of multiple studies on indoor vs outdoor cats found that owners of indoor cats reported more problem-behaviours such as urine spraying, scratching furniture, excessive vocalisation and aggression. This could be because indoor cats have less opportunity to exhibit natural behaviours such as hunting. However enrichment and play can reduce these problem behaviours. Cats Protection provides guidance on how to meet the needs of indoor-only cats. 

Example – Dogs

Dogs descended from wolves over 30,000 years ago. Domestic dogs are very different from their wolf ancestors, but they still share some similarities. They both display similar body language and they thrive in a pack environment. Some breeds of dogs still possess a strong drive to hunt prey. 

Normal behaviours for domestic dogs include:

  • Seeking social interaction – dogs are social animals and this stems from their instinct to move in packs. They will seek social interaction from their owners or other dogs
  • Barking – this is a natural behaviour for dogs, they can bark for different reasons, for example because they are guarding their territory, or because they are excited
  • Chewing – dogs enjoy chewing, they can chew for fun, or to relieve stress or anxiety. It is believed that this behaviour stems from the behaviour of wolves who dissect and then chew on prey 
  • Digging – digging is performed to remove debris from a sleeping area. This is why many dogs will instinctively dig before lying down, even in a clean area
  • Sniffing – dogs have an incredible sense of smell, they explore environments through smell more than sight. It’s an extremely natural, instinctive behaviour that allows them to make sense of the world and it provides them with mental stimulation
  • Scavenging – wolves in the wild will scavenge for food to survive and many dogs still carry out this instinctual behaviour. This behaviour can be replicated at home by hiding treats in toys or around the house
  • Exercising – dogs are very active and need daily exercise to prevent them from becoming bored
  • Sleeping – adults dogs need around 12-14 hours of sleep per day

What happens when these behavioural needs aren’t met?

You guessed it! Dog’s who can’t exhibit normal behaviours such as those above are likely to suffer from stress, frustration or boredom. 

We will take chewing as an example here. One study found that dogs who were left alone by their owners for a period of time showed improved emotional well-being when given a long-lasting chew compared to other objects. Chewing may also play a role in improved mental cognition in dogs. Another study showed that dogs with higher levels of anxiety had better memories when they were given the opportunity to chew on an object compared to dogs who weren’t. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, through these examples I’ve illustrated why it is important that animals can exhibit normal behaviour patterns. This is an important welfare need for any animal. 

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