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InFocus

The effect of veterinary clinical housing on animal behaviour

“Well-designed housing is a key component in creating an ideal environment for patients, positively impacting their behaviour and providing benefits for staff and the wider practice”

Clinical housing can have a significant impact on patient care in veterinary practice, whether for short-term accommodation or longer stays. As any veterinary professional knows, reducing an animal’s fear, anxiety and stress in the clinic is essential for its recovery. Well-designed housing is a key component in creating an ideal environment for patients, positively impacting their behaviour and providing benefits for staff and the wider practice.  

Conventional kennels often expose animals to minimised social contact, limited space, excessive noise and altered daily routines (Polgár et al., 2019). Elements of this housing – in particular noise, temperature, lighting and material – can act as contributors to animals’ stress, with negative ramifications for clinical staff too. This article explores what good kennelling should look like and the positive impact this can have on animal behaviour in veterinary practice.

Conventional kennels often expose animals to minimised social contact, limited space, excessive noise and altered daily routines

The patient experience

Research has found that kennels can be areas of high stress for animals (Lloyd, 2017). It is not particularly surprising – patients are coping with pain, compromised immunity, disorientation from anaesthesia, reduced mobility and separation from their owners, all while being kept in a confined space. Unable to confront negative stimuli, flee the space or evade interaction with clinical staff, kennelled veterinary patients’ ability to respond with natural behaviours is reduced.

Unable to confront negative stimuli, flee the space or evade interaction with clinical staff, kennelled veterinary patients’ ability to respond with natural behaviours is reduced

Animals may experience an increased heart rate and release of cortisol (Lloyd, 2017), therefore forgoing basic necessities such as adequate consumption of food and water. When stress is prolonged, it can have adverse effects on immunity, general health and behaviour. Aggression towards other animals and the clinical team can be commonplace; along with more difficult handling, there is the possibility of bites or scratches, the most common cause of injury in veterinary workplaces.  

Stress throughout hospitalisation can also impact future visits. Fear and aggression displayed by animals in veterinary care have the potential to affect client satisfaction and willingness to seek further care (Dawson et al., 2016). Then there’s the fact that, to the distress of their owners, animals can become remote or unfriendly for a time after returning home from a veterinary visit. Desire to avoid this stress is now a major reason clients delay bringing sick or injured pets to the vets (Lloyd, 2017).

How kennels contribute to animal stress

There are various aspects of conventional kennelling that can contribute to the stress experienced by an animal at the vets, including – but not limited to – noise, temperature, lighting and material.

Noise

The opening of metal cage doors can reach a noise level greater than 90dBA (UWM, 2015), while ward noise has routinely measured greater than 100dBA (Zurlinden et al., 2022). A single bark alone can reach this volume, showing why excessive barking in facilities that house kennelled dogs is a recognised welfare issue (Zurlinden et al., 2022). In a survey of more than 750 veterinary professionals at leading global vet shows across the UK and USA, 68 percent of respondents reported noise to be a challenge in their workplace, regardless of the kennelling material (CASCO Pet, 2024).

Temperature

A ward or kennel that is too hot or cold can result in discomfort and altered behaviour (Hurt et al., 2015). Maintenance of body temperature to within an animal’s normal circadian variation is vital for their well-being (NRCILAR, 2011). However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution – diversity between species, body shape and type can dictate varying levels of tolerance for different temperatures (Jordan et al., 2016).

Ward temperature is particularly important in instances where an animal has undergone anaesthesia and is in recovery, unable to regulate and maintain body temperature (UoE, 2021). In addition, the animal’s usual behavioural response to an altered body temperature is impaired, and the trigger for usual physiological responses is altered.

Lighting

When wards and kennels are inadequately lit, or the lighting does not mimic natural photoperiods, it can cause issues with regulation of the animal’s natural circadian rhythm

The intensity, duration, type and placement of lighting can affect the physiology, morphology and behaviour of animals (Hurt et al., 2015). When wards and kennels are inadequately lit, or the lighting does not mimic natural photoperiods, it can cause issues with regulation of the animal’s natural circadian rhythm (Hurt et al., 2015). This can affect sleep and impede overall recovery; research has found that sleep-deprived animal patients feel pain more acutely (UoE, 2021). 

Kennel material

The materials used in a kennel can have a significant impact on the well-being of both animals and staff. Wooden kennels are not particularly hard-wearing and are known for difficulties with sanitation. Concrete, while heavy-duty and relatively low maintenance, suffers issues with temperature regulation and noise amplification.

Similarly, although stainless steel is secure and long-lasting with the correct care, it presents problems with temperature control and acoustic stress, as well as its stark, “jail-like” appearance. In the aforementioned survey, when looking at the 650 veterinary professionals who work with stainless steel kennels, the issue of “excessive noise” is even more pronounced – with 75 percent finding it problematic (CASCO Pet, 2024).

Improvements and innovations to clinical housing

Well-designed accommodation that meets the needs of patients can enhance the clinic environment to minimise stressors and provide comfort, benefitting the animal and wider clinical team. Patient fear and stress is reduced to create a calmer environment and more positive experience, leading to better overall well-being and recovery outcomes.

Noise mitigation is a key place to start. The ideal housing should minimise noise, not amplify it. Therefore, consideration should be given to the construction and materials selected for kennel design. Kennels crafted from noise-reducing materials, such as glass, have been found to significantly decrease audible stimuli (Edwards et al., 2019), in turn lowering patient stress levels. Animals housed in a quiet, predictable environment are more tolerant of the approach of people unfamiliar to them – aiding clinical care.

Animals housed in a quiet, predictable environment are more tolerant of the approach of people unfamiliar to them – aiding clinical care

The International Society of Feline Medicine states stainless steel can conduct heat away from animals. Additionally, it can be cool to the touch. Glass, on the other hand, aids in the maintenance of a consistent and comfortable temperature. It also offers benefits in terms of improved efficiency and hygiene maintenance; glass kennels provide a sneeze barrier and reduce the risk of airborne infection spreading (ISFM, n.d.). Easy to disinfect, glass also reduces the time staff spend cleaning.

The ability to tailor the kennel environment to patient needs – for example, individual temperature, ventilation and lighting systems that staff can operate (Dogs Trust, n.d.) – also offers a considerable advantage. Customisation is important, as kennels may need to be made warmer or cooler, depending on the patient’s circumstances. Lighting systems that allow for periods of dim light or darkness are also essential to facilitate proper rest and recovery (Dogs Trust, n.d.), and avoid disruptions to an animal’s circadian rhythm. Modern clinical housing offers these elements, including daylight, cleaning and recovery lighting modes, and inbuilt heating and cooling mats.

Looking at the ward more widely, the environment should be kept as calm and relaxed as possible. Where feasible, house canines and felines separately and incorporate methods to decrease visual contact between different species and animals; this can include kennel placement, front door barriers and the provision of appropriate hiding places. Long-term patients should be in the quietest areas within a ward, where they are less exposed to “through traffic” and noise made by staff and machinery.

Conclusion

Modern alternatives crafted from more suitable materials, such as specialist glass, can mitigate the issues commonly faced in veterinary clinics

The impact of clinical housing on animal behaviour and well-being cannot be overstated. Conventional materials commonly used – such as stainless steel – can exacerbate an already stressful situation for patients, impacting recovery and posing challenges to practice staff.

Modern alternatives crafted from more suitable materials, such as specialist glass, can mitigate the issues commonly faced in veterinary clinics. In doing so, these kennels help to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for better patient recovery and surgical outcomes.

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