• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Aromatherapy: The Key to Canine Adoptability?

May 11, 2018
Amanda Carrozza

Researchers in England recently tested the effects of certain smells on stress-related behaviors in shelter dogs.

In an effort to pinpoint new ways to reduce stress for shelter dogs, scientists from Hartpury University Centre in Gloucester, England tested the effects of presenting them with scent-infused cloths. The investigators noted that while olfactory stimulation has been shown to have positive behavioral effects in a range of contexts, its use among shelter dogs has remained relatively understudied.

According to the authors of the current study, published recently in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, scent enrichment may calm shelter dogs and make them more adoptable.

RELATED:

  • Dog Play: Not Just for Fun
Advertisement
  • 10 Most Common Household Pet Toxins

For the study, 15 shelter dogs were simultaneously exposed to 6 olfactory conditions using scented cloths following a fixed order: unscented cloth, coconut, vanilla, valerian, ginger, and no cloth. These scents were chosen because they are safe for dogs and easily accessible. The cloths were prepared 1 hour in advance using drops of essential oils and then kept in a sealed bag until used. The experimenter wore gloves to ensure that no additional scents were transferred to the cloths.

The dogs were given 30 minutes to get acquainted with the smell and then their behaviors were recorded every 10 minutes for 2 hours using instantaneous scan-sampling. During the second hour of observation, the shelter was open to the public. The experiment was always conducted in the middle of the day when feeding and exercise were not scheduled, so the dogs’ behavior was not influenced by waiting for meals. The tests were conducted for 3 days with an intervening period of 2 days between conditions.

The researchers found that certain smells caused specific reactions. Coconut, ginger, vanilla, and valerian all reduced activity and vocalizations such as barking and whining, and coconut and ginger also worked to increase sleep behaviors.

The scientists concluded that these 4 scents may be useful in shelter environments as a means to reduce behaviors indicative of stress, such as barking and excessive activity. By reducing stress, the dogs may also be more likely to be adopted because barking is a characteristic that often deters potential adopters.


Advertisement

Latest News

Pet Advocacy Network honors outstanding contributions to the pet care community

Traditional and holistic treatments for giardia

ASU trustees approve the creation of a new veterinary school

6 tips for first-time dog owners

View More Latest News
Advertisement