Which is NOT a category of stressors?

Which is NOT a category of stressors?

• A. Environmental
• B. Physiological
• C. Psychosocial
• D. Behavioral

Answer: (D)

Stressors are the factors that can trigger a stress response in an animal, and they’re typically grouped into environmental, physiological, or psychosocial categories. Environmental stressors come from the surroundings—noise, crowding, heat or cold, lighting. Physiological stressors arise from the body itself—pain, illness, fatigue, metabolic imbalances. Psychosocial stressors involve social factors—interactions with people or other animals, changes in routine, or the presence or absence of the owner. Behavioral, however, describes how the animal acts in response to stress, not what causes it. It’s a manifestation of stress, not a source. So behavioral is not a category of stressors. When assessing stress, focus on identifying environmental, physiological, or psychosocial triggers and then address those to reduce the animal’s stress.

Stressors are the factors that can trigger a stress response in an animal, and they’re typically grouped into environmental, physiological, or psychosocial categories. Environmental stressors come from the surroundings—noise, crowding, heat or cold, lighting. Physiological stressors arise from the body itself—pain, illness, fatigue, metabolic imbalances. Psychosocial stressors involve social factors—interactions with people or other animals, changes in routine, or the presence or absence of the owner. Behavioral, however, describes how the animal acts in response to stress, not what causes it. It’s a manifestation of stress, not a source. So behavioral is not a category of stressors. When assessing stress, focus on identifying environmental, physiological, or psychosocial triggers and then address those to reduce the animal’s stress.