The benefits of environmental enrichment in psychogenic dermatitis: Review

Abstract

Animal welfare is defined as the state of balance between the animal and its environment, described by acceptable physical and physiological conditions. It is the guardian's responsibility to ensure the welfare of their animals and adapt the environment to receive them. The growing appreciation of environmental enrichment for companion animals has been gaining prominence in recent years. Having its origin mainly in zoos, spreading to companion animals until arriving in large production animals. Some techniques are used in order to provide and adapt the environment so that these animals have a greater acceptance of the place where they live. Anxiety and stress are very characteristic symptoms of animals that live in impoverished or non-enriched environments, causing discomfort and behavioral disorders. Psychogenic dermatitis can be characterized as a chronic inflammation of the skin, causing undesirable behaviors such as excessive licking of the limbs. Environmental enrichment along with animal welfare will provide quality of life for animals, and thereby rid them of undesirable behavior.