Animal Behaviour - Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety are natural emotional responses that can be normal and adaptive, helping animals avoid danger. However, they can become abnormal and maladaptive when triggered excessively or inappropriately, negatively affecting welfare and behaviour.
Is fear and anxiety normal?
can be normal and adaptive, can be abnormal and maladaptive
Key Terms
Is fear and anxiety normal?
can be normal and adaptive, can be abnormal and maladaptive
Which part of the brain responds to fear? What system is this part of?
Amygdala in limbic system
What are the 3 components of the fear response?
Behavioural, neurological, hormonal
What is the purpose of the normal fear response? What properties identify a normal response?
Occours in réponse to an identifiable stimulus perceived as a threat
Animal focusses on stimulus, fear espouse is directed towards it
S...
What is a phobia?
Excessive response to a fear stimulus or response to a non-fearful stimulus
May persist after stimulus has been removed
Limits normal b...
What defines anxiety?
Animal anticipates something scary, no stimulus present at the time
May be associated wit ha specific fear eg. anxiety in the dark if scared ...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Is fear and anxiety normal? | can be normal and adaptive, can be abnormal and maladaptive |
Which part of the brain responds to fear? What system is this part of? | Amygdala in limbic system |
What are the 3 components of the fear response? | Behavioural, neurological, hormonal |
What is the purpose of the normal fear response? What properties identify a normal response? | Occours in réponse to an identifiable stimulus perceived as a threat Animal focusses on stimulus, fear espouse is directed towards it Stops when stimulus removed In proportion to the degree of threat posed |
What is a phobia? | Excessive response to a fear stimulus or response to a non-fearful stimulus May persist after stimulus has been removed Limits normal behaviour |
What defines anxiety? | Animal anticipates something scary, no stimulus present at the time May be associated wit ha specific fear eg. anxiety in the dark if scared of fireworks |
What are the physical signs of the fear response? | Panting Salivation Dilated pupils Whale eye Urination/Defecation Anorexia Piloerection |
What postural changes may be seen in a fearful dog? | Crouched, ears lowered, tail lowered |
What postural changes may be seen in a fearful cat? | Crouched/flattened Ears flattened Paws and tail tucked in If unable to escape -> piloerection |
What fear related behaviours are specifically seen in dogs? | Freeze/hide/flee Fight - defensive aggression Appeasement behaviours Displacement behaviours eg. digging/licking/scratching (illogical panic/stress behaviour) |
What did Kendal Shephard make? | Ladder of aggression - starts with licking/yawning -> biting |
Who created the ladder of aggression? | Kendal Shephard |
Which behaviour in dogs is often misinterpreted? | Rolling over to show belly - not belly rub! |
Why might the ladder of aggression not fit real life situations? | If lesser signals have been ignored or told off may miss them out in future as they haven’t helped in the past |
What anxiety related behaviour may be seen? | Increased vigilance and scanning Aimless wandering/pacing Urine marking Destruction/chewing Change in grooming - Increase or decrease |
What factors influence the fear response shown by an individual animal? | Stimulus Genetics Previous experience (socialisation period, environmental referencing) Pain may stop normal response to fearful situation eg. escape -> aggression as a backup |
How may stress in neonatal life impact stress responses later in life? | Low levels vHPA axis activation but higher levels ^HPA activation |
What theories are important when understanding development of behaviour problems? | Learning theory Habituation - not learning because response will reoccur if stimulus not encountered for a while Sensitisation Generalisation Classical conditioning Conditioned emotional response |
What factors will decide whether an animal sensitises or habituates to a stimulus over time? | Stress levels Predisposition Medical issues eg. hyperthyroidism, deafness Strength of initial stimulus Fear/confidence of individuals |
Give some causes of anxiety | Genes/personality Medical problems eg. pain/hyperthyroidism/cognitive dysfunction Chronic stress Unpredictability eg. allowed to jump up when clean, not when muddy |
What are common triggers of fear and anxiety related problems? | Loud noises Strangers Handled ar vets Aggression to familiar people Anxiety of other animals Separation related stress |
What forms of noise related fear problems can exist? | Fear Anxiety Phobia |
How may animals respond to a noise if fearful? Which of these responses are good? | Hiding - good Seeking comfort from owner - bad, ^risk of separation anxiety Pacing panting whining BARKING - not aggression, still fear Panic - destruction or bolting |
How should owners react to a noise stimulus? | Normally - don’t comfort or tell off |
How can noise related fears be treated in the short term? | Establish effective coping strategy eg. sound proofed hiding place, adaptil, encourage relaxation and chewing Anxiolytic medication? eg. Diazepam |
How can noise related fears be treated in the long term? | Desensitisation and counter conditioning to noises | Long term anxiolytic medication eg. SSRIs, TCAs |
Do cats suffer noise related fear? | Yes but owners don't notice |
How does aggression develop as a strategy? | Try and move away, then freeze, then show appeasement behaviour, then defensive aggression If aggression is the only thing to work will repeat the behaviour |
What is the best reinforcement in the world? | Relief from feeling fearful or anxious |
What can fear and anxiety increase the likelihood of? | Dog feeling threatened and defensive when approached and handled Showing and resource guarding behaviour |
Why can aggression occur towards familiar people? | When an animal is in a situation where they feel threatened |
What are the underlying causes if separation related problems? | over attachment to one person (eg. Illness when young -> constant attention) inability to cope when no one at home fear of being left after scary event occurring when dog has been left alone punishment for destruction or toileting when owner returns home fear of confinement |
What signs are shown of separation related distress in dogs and cats? | Dogs- vocalisation, destruction and escape, toileting, panting and pacing Cats - inappropriate urination and marking Over grooming - a form of self appeasement |
What form of stress is common for cats? | Social stress - especially multicat households |
What are the symptoms of social stress in cats? | Obesity, hiding, spraying tension and aggression, increased susceptibility to medical problems eg. FIC IBS asthma |
What are the four steps to treating fear and anxiety problems? | Reduce exposure to scary stimulus Teach alternative response eg. Settle relax, move away, hide Desensitise and counter condition in controlled conditions Medication in addition to behaviour modification |