Plus-Hex CLINICAL
25
20
Mean stress score
15
10
T0 T5 T10
5 |
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0 |
Indoor-only cat |
Supervised outdoor access or < 50 % time spent outdoors |
≥50 % of time spent outdoors |
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Participant category |
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Figure 1. Total mean stress score and standard deviation for each participant category across each behavioural observation( T0, T5, T10).
Statistical analysis
The distribution of data on participants ' outdoor access was non-parametric. No statistically significant differences were observed between the stress scores of the participants in different categories at any behavioural observation. Despite raw data and central tendencies suggesting that TMSS was lower at all behavioural observations for Category 1 participants, lack of significance resulted in acceptance of the null hypothesis( T0 TMSS( p = 0.485); T5 TMSS( p = 0.976) and T10 TMSS( p = 0.860); Kruskal – Wallis test).
The stress score of each participant at each behavioural observation was also compared, showing a statistically significant difference in mean rank between behavioural observations( p = 0.034; Friedman test). A significantly higher mean rank of 2.33 was found for stress scores at T10, compared with 1.85 at T0 and 1.83 at T5.
A post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test determined a significant difference between stress scores at T5 and T10, as well as between T0 and T10, and stress scores increased significantly over the whole time period. Stress scores increased more between T5 and T10( p = 0.873 T5 – T0, p = 0.019 T10 – T5, p = 0.072 T10 – T0). No significant difference was found in participants ' stress scores based on kennel size during hospitalisation or reason for hospitalisation.
Discussion
The current study established a baseline knowledge of the presentation of stress behaviours in hospitalised cats with differing levels of outdoor access, achieving the study ' s aims. The study highlights trends in stress behaviour during hospitalisation, whereas no previous research could be found that demonstrates this.
The findings of the current study resulted in acceptance of the null hypothesis; however, data trends show that stress behaviours shown during hospitalisation increased as time spent outdoors in the home environment increased. This supports the need for continued research to determine whether trends continue as sample size increases.
Behaviours seen in wild felids during spatial restriction may help to explain this trend where no research can be found in domestic cats [ 29 ]. Marinath et al. [ 29 ] used a faecal sampling method to evaluate stress, which may be a more accurate indication of stress than the subjective methods used in the current study.
Despite this comparison, it is impossible to assess whether stress demonstrated within the current study was related to spatial restriction, loss of social grouping and separation from other family members at home, or the presence of unfamiliar veterinary professionals [ 29 ].
Volume 40( 5) • October 2025
35