It is not particularly surprising to state a trip to the vet can be a significant source of stress for animals—a reality most veterinary professionals have witnessed firsthand. When a visit turns into an overnight stay—whether for simple observation or longer-term recovery–kennels can exacerbate this stress. Animal housing is pivotal in veterinary clinics, a necessity for modern practice. However, there is room for improvement, particularly when looking at the material used in kenneling. Noise-reducing materials, such as glass, decrease audible stimuli, thereby reducing stress for the patient, as well. Photos courtesy CASCO Pet A source of stress A visit to the vet is an unknown environment for animals, containing strange sights, sounds, and smells, as well as new people and other animals that can be perceived as threats.1 There are also handling and examinations to contend with and potential investigative procedures. Those are all even before kennels are introduced. Kennels have been found to be areas of high stress for animals.2 Kennels confine animals to an enclosed space, separate from caregivers, with none of the security of their home surroundings.3 Additionally, some animals may be recovering from surgery or coping with pain, compromised immunity, drug-related disorientation, or reduced mobility. If the design of the kennel includes bars, limbs could potentially become entrapped.4 There may be contact between patients in neighboring kennels–resulting in the potential spread of disease–as well as the splattering of spilled food, water, litter, or animal waste. A significant source of stress associated with kennels is noise. Damaging to the hearing of both animals and staff, noise assessments in kennels have revealed continuous levels of over 100 dBA,5 which would usually require hearing protection. Unfortunately, the conventional construction materials used for kennels create an environment that is both noisy and reverberant; the sound of metal cage doors opening can reach over 90 dBA.6 Canines also add to noise levels in kennels; excessive barking in facilities that house kenneled dogs is a recognized welfare issue. A self-reinforcing behavior, the barking of one dog may stimulate others to also vocalize. Exposure to these high sound levels put animals and humans at risk of hearing damage. In a survey of more than 750 veterinary professionals at several veterinary shows across the UK and USA, 68 percent of respondents reported noise to be a challenge in their workplace, regardless of kenneling material. When looking at stainless steel kennels alone (>650 respondents), this figure rose to 75 percent.7 Other elements of kennels that cause stress include temperature and light.8 Animals are prevented from being comfortable when their enclosure is too hot or cold. With lighting, stress can come in the form of inappropriate photoperiod, intensity or light spectrum. Customizable lighting and temperature cater to an animal’s individual needs, which can vary by species, age, and condition, along with other factors. The impact on behavior The stress response of animals caused by kennels will vary between different species. Plus, let’s not forget kennels can also be a source of stress for practice staff. Canine response Some dogs will experience fear, boredom, frustration and social isolation when kept in a kennel.9 If the space is considered barren or unstimulating, this can lead to behavioral problems, stress, and poor physical health.10 Enclosure destruction is another behavior dogs may exhibit due to fear and anxiety; often stemming from frustration due to their inability to perform breed-specific behaviors. An increase in aggression is a potential response from fearful dogs.9 Increased whining or barking may be a symptom of distress; a single bark can reach over 100 dBA. These hazardous noise levels can result in decreased quality and quantity of sleep in dogs. Additionally, a noisy environment can result in reduced reproductive and cardiovascular function.11 Feline response In general, cats are sensitive to unfamiliar people and situations.1 Kept in a kennel and away from their owner, they lack a sense of control. This unpredictable environment can increase feelings of distress and vulnerability; cats may undergo physiological changes, including an increased heart rate and cortisol release.12 Noticeable behavioral changes include increased hiding and decreased food and drink intake, which could delay recovery.1 When the intensity of fear a cat feels increases, if the hiding does not work, the feeling may result in them responding with aggression and frustration.13 When the environment is noisy, cats have been found to demonstrate more fear-induced behaviors–and there is no denying the noise issues some kennels face.4 Adequate lighting is crucial for allowing periods of rest and recovery. Repercussions for staff First and foremost, the body language of an ill patient may be misunderstood–fear is overlooked as a cause of aggression; subtle signs of distress or pain can easily be missed.1 The stress response of animals caused by kennels can hinder accurate diagnosis, affecting the results of samples collected and leading to increased anesthetic and sedation risk.2 In addition to potential misdiagnosis, it could result in the incorrect treatment being prescribed. In a 2023-2024 survey of veterinary professionals,7 of the more than 650 respondents who used stainless steel kennels, almost nine in 10 said they had witnessed patient anxiety from kennel noise, with a quarter reporting animal injury and 22.35 percent citing extended recovery time for patients. Not only can this lead to an increased workload–in terms of both complexity and time–but 52.84 percent of respondents said the noise from kennels resulted in staff stress; more than a quarter said they had faced challenging working conditions. Almost one in five reported instances of staff injury as a result–dog bites, cat bites and cat scratches are the most common cause of injury to staff within veterinary hospitals.2 When looking at the job satisfaction of those working within a companion animal veterinary practice, it was found kennel attendants, along with veterinary technicians, had the lowest mean job satisfaction score.14 The high volumes of sound in kennel environments have welfare implications for the people who work there, with the potential to negatively impact their mental well-being.15 Sight barriers are particularly important for recovering feline patients, providing a sense of security. Material options So, what are the available materials for kenneling? Stainless steel is known for its security and durability. However, these surfaces are often cold, noisy, and resonant adding to an animal’s stress. It may conduct heat away from the animals, and the shiny surface may cause alarm for felines.4 While wood is inexpensive but difficult to clean, potentially harboring bacteria and viruses. It is also susceptible to damage by scratching.16 Concrete is heavy-duty and easy to clean. However, it suffers from temperature issues and is known for its coldness. It also does not absorb noise but instead reflects it–similar to metal or stainless steel.11 According to the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM),17 plastic and fiberglass are warmer to the touch than metal, however, there are issues with these materials not being particularly hard-wearing. Glass or clear plastic fronts provide a sneeze barrier for animals, reducing the potential spread of contaminants.1 The material can also be constructed to provide a sight barrier–particularly important for cats. Finished well can be just as easy to clean as other materials. Toughened glass allows for very good visibility while minimizing the risk of patients putting paws through bars, potentially causing self-harm.1 Short- and long-term solutions Starting with the elements easiest to implement, conversations between veterinary staff should be conducted in soft voices, cage doors should be closed quietly, and loud music should be avoided to create a quiet, calm environment. Playing classical music in kennel spaces can promote restful behaviors, reduce some negative aspects associated with these enclosures, and, with minimal cost and effort, 15 Additionally, this music can help create a more relaxing work environment, which can promote a positive experience among clinical teams. Suitable environmental enrichment is also a low-cost solution. This could include providing “normal odors” within the kennel, such as clothing, a blanket, or bedding that smells like the pet’s home.1 Include items that allow animals to exhibit their species-specific behavior, such as toys or puzzles for dogs, and hiding places for cats. The latter helps cats cope better, sleep more frequently, and approach people more readily, a necessity for care.13 The placement of kennels is also important. Housing cats in upper level enclosures allows them to feel elevated, a behavior that increases a sense of safety and security.18 Some dogs may benefit from being kenneled at height, while others might find being lifted and examined at height stressful; consideration should be given on an individual basis.3 Dog and cat kennels should be separated from each other as far as possible with a barrier between them if not in completely separate wards. Then there is the kennel itself. A longer-term solution, the right kennel–or, more specifically, the right material–can help reduce animal stress and makethe provision of care easier for your team. Organizations, such as the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), recommend using sound-proofing or suitable construction materials to reduce noise transmission;19 separately, studies recommend investing in noise-reducing materials like glass to decrease audible stimuli.20 Reducing levels of auditory stress can help create a more positive environment that results in better health outcomes for animals and improved welfare for staff.11 Consider kennels with in-built solutions, such as customizable lighting and temperature solutions.8 Adequate lighting is important to animal husbandry, particularly in terms of maintaining circadian rhythm and allowing for periods of rest and recovery. Each animal will have specific needs; there should be individual provisions for light intensity, duration, type, and placement. Additionally, the maintenance of body temperature may be crucial for some patients, particularly those recovering from anesthesia. As outlined by ISFM in their Cat Friendly Clinic Guidelines, under-floor heating in kennels may be the ideal solution.1 Conclusion The benefits of environmental management include decreased incidence of disease, improved immune function, decreased likelihood of behavior and hormonal responses and improved recovery. Patients who are less stressed and fearful are easier to care for, which, in turn, improves the working experience for those within practices–reducing instances of staff stress and potential injury.18 Unfortunately, conventional kennel materials, such as noisy and reverberant ones, are a source of stress for pet patients and negatively impact their behavior. Investing in animal housing crafted from alternative materials is a way to future-proof your practice and advance the care provided within the modern veterinary clinic. Matthew Bubear is CEO of CASCO Pet, a manufacturer of animal habitats and veterinary kenneling. Bubear has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. References Cat Friendly Clinic. N.d. Becoming an ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic. CFCGuide. https://catfriendlyclinic.org/app/uploads/2024/02/CFC-Guide-part-3.pdf Lloyd, Janice K.F., and Patrick Butaye. 2017. “Minimising Stress for Patients in the Veterinary Hospital: Why It Is Important and What Can Be Done About It.” Vet Sci. vol 4,2:22 (April). DogsTrust. N.d. Impact of the veterinary environment on behaviour. How We Help. https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/professionals/vet-clinics/impact-on-behaviour Taylor, Samantha, Kelly St Denis, Sarah Collins, Nathale Dowgray, Sarah LH Ellis, Sarah Heat, Ilona Rodan and Linda Ryan. 2022. “2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines.” J of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2022;24(11):1133-1163. Scheifele, Peter, Doug Martin, John Greer Clark, Debra Kemper, and Jennifer Wells. “Effect of kennel noise on hearing in dogs,” American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2012 73, 4): 482-489. UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. 2015. “Facility Design and Animal Housing.” Resource Library. https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/?r=facility-design-and-animal-housing. CASCO Pet. 2024. Stainless steel cages pose ‘excessive noise’ challenge. The world of CASCO Pet. https://cascopet.com/uk/the-world-of-casco-pet/our-blog/stainless-steel-cages-pose-excessive-noise-challenge/. Hurt, Moriah, Candace Croney and Courtney Daigle. 2015. “Promoting the Welfare of Kenneled Dogs: Environmental Considerations.” Purdue University Extension. https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-3-W.pdf. Croney, Candace and Judith L. Stella. 2015. “Assessing Kennel Dog Welfare.” Purdue University Extension. https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-8-W.pdf. Arrazola, Aitor, Candace Croney and Taylor Rezvani. 2022. “Meeting the behavioral needs of kenneled dogs.” Purdue University Extension. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-36-W.pdf Garvey, Morgan, Judith Stella and Candace Croney. 2016. “Auditory Stress: Implications for Kenneled Dog Welfare.” Purdue University Extension. https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-18-W.pdf. Riemer, Stefanie, Carmen Heritier, Ines Windschnurer, Lydia Pratsch, Christine Arhant, and Nadja Affenzeller. 2021. “A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting.” Animals. 11, no. 1: 158. Rodan, Ilona. 2018. “Understanding the Cat and Creating a Cat-Friendly Practice. Today’s Veterinary Practice. July/August 2018. Moore, Irene, Jason B. Coe, Cindy L. Adams, Peter Conlon, and Jan M. Sargeant. 2014. “The role of veterinary team effectiveness in job satisfaction and burnout in companion animal veterinary clinics.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 245. 513-24. Zurlinden, Samantha, Stephany Spano, Emily Griffith, and Sara Bennett. 2022. “Impact of Classical Counterconditioning (Quiet Kennel Exercise) on Barking in Kenneled Dogs—A Pilot Study.” Animals 12, no. 2: 171. Stratford-upon-Avon District Council. 2016. Model Conditions of Guidance for Dog Boarding Kennels. https://www.stratford.gov.uk/doc/206216/name/Model%20Licence%20Conditions%20and%20Guidance%20for%20Dog%20Boarding%20Establishments.pdf Cat Friendly Clinic. N.d. Hospitalisation Facilities. Vets & Nurses. https://catfriendlyclinic.org/vets-nurses/hospitalisation-facilities/. Stella, Judith L., Mega LaFollette and Candace Croney. 2015. “Caged cats – Importance of routine and cage environment.” Purdue University Extension. https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-7-W.pdf. Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. 2018. A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations. Third edition. CVMA. https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/media/jgkpjouk/a-code-of-practice-for-canadian-kennel-operations-3rd-edition-2018.pdf Edwards, Petra, Bradley P. Smith, Michelle L. McArthur and Susan J. Hazel. 2019. “Fearful Fido: Investigating dog experience in the veterinary context in an effort to reduce distress.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2019. 213 (April): 14-25.
