Olfactory enrichment
Olfactory enrichment can positively impact the welfare of various types of companion animals. There is still limited concrete information about which aromas produce which effects, in which species, and under what circumstances. By bringing together applied research in this project, we create an overview of the possibilities that olfactory enrichment can offer, while simultaneously responding to the specific needs of the professional field.
Looptijd
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Financiering
Odisee
Dogs:
- What concentration of a combination of anxiety-reducing aromas is most effective in reducing stress in an unfamiliar environment?
- Inter- and intra-individual differences in preference for scent enrichment in shelter dogs.
Cats:
- Discovering new scents
- Which scents do cats respond to?
- Further exploration of familiar scents
- What is the effect of catnip essential oil on the behaviour of (shelter) cats?
- What is the effect of valerian essential oil on the behaviour of (shelter) cats?
Rabbits:
- Can scents have a calming effect on rabbits during transport?
- Can olfactory enrichment affect heart rate in rabbits during transport?
Meet the researchers
Project partner: Anouck Haverbeke (Vetethology; UGent).
