Subject: Emotion

Balancing the Animal Affective Scales – Can the Methodology of Human Affect Balance Be Applied to Other Sentient Species?

Laura E. Webb, J. Elizabeth Bolhuis, Viktor Jurkovich, Allyson F. Ipema, Matteo Chincarini, Angélique Favreau-Peigné, Björn Forkman, Caroline Clouard, Frank Tuyttens, Heather Browning, Laura Menchetti, Margit Bak Jensen, Özkan Elmaz, Radka Šárová, Robert Głogowski, Sandra Düpjan, Stefania Celozzi, Walter Veit, Céline Tallet

Published in 2026

Concept article proposing to adapt the concept of affective balance, based on the balance between scales of positive and negative emotions, to the integrated assessment of animal welfare..

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, All Animals, Poultry

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Exploring Viewer Perceptions of Videos Depicting Cat-Dissented “Play” and Their Potential to Contribute to Harmful Interactions

Lyn Henning, J. S., Nielsen, T. D., & Hazel, S. J.

Published in 2026

Study revealing that humans tend to downplay or misinterpret signs of distress and refusal in cats, highlighting the need to raise public awareness about respecting a cat’s preferences and the risks of bites and scratches.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Felines

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Teaming Up for Animal Welfare: A Cross-Institute Approach to Identify Robust Indicators of Emotion in Pigs

I. Reimert, G.A. Franchi, M. Bagaria, L. Canario, J. Elizabeth Bolhuis, S. Düpjan, E. Verbeek, E. Fàbrega, L.J. Pedersen, H. Telkänranta, A. Eggert, L.R. Moscovice

Published in 2026

Study of 124 sows across four facilities confirming that locomotor play and escape attempts are reliable indicators of short-term emotional valence. Ear position also appears to be a promising measure. Whereas cortisol levels reflected both valence and arousal, oxytocin did not vary consistently across contexts. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Decapod Crustaceans in Animal Welfare Law: Fragmentation, Gaps, and Emerging Models in Europe and Oceania

Fruscella L, Sicuso DA, Vitale D, Passantino A.

Published in 2026

Scientific review, highlighting the misalignment between current scientific evidence on the vulnerability of decapod crustaceans and the limited legal protection they receive, advocating for a harmonized regulatory framework based on the science.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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Decapod Crustaceans in Animal Welfare Law: Fragmentation, Gaps, and Emerging Models in Europe and Oceania

Lorenzo Fruscella, Diego Antonio Sicuso, Daria Vitale, Annamaria Passantino

Published in 2026

Article highlighting the gap between scientific evidence on the sentience of decapod crustaceans and the limited legal protections they enjoy. The authors advocate for harmonized regulations based on scientific knowledge.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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The Sensory World of Cattle: Abilities, Limitations, and Perceptual Challenges in Human-Designed Environments

Maria Vilain Rørvang, Rebecca K. Meagher, Johanna Stenfelt, Emily K. Miller-Cushon, Sheikh Rishad Ahmmad, Maria Camila Ceballos

Published in 2026

Review summarizing current knowledge on the sensory abilities of cattle (vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). It highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly with regard to smell, taste, and touch. It stresses the importance of taking better account of cattle’s sensory perceptions to adapt their housing environments and improve their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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A critical review on gender differences in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours about farmed animals

Elisa Cesário Pereira Stadnick, Maria José Hötzel

Published in 2026

Review showing that gender influences attitudes toward animals: women generally express more empathy and concern for animal welfare men. The authors emphasize the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into research and policies related to animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Music and animal welfare: from behavioral and physiological effects to potential applications in animal husbandry

Zhu G, Wang L, Wu Z, Feng L, Shao F

Published in 2026

Review examining the mechanisms of musical perception in animals and its effects on their behavior, physiology, and welfare. It highlights potential benefits, including stress reduction, and emphasizes the value of fish as models for studying the evolutionary basis of musical perception and improving animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Review: The Roles of Individuality and Social Life in Shaping Positive Animal Welfare in Livestock Species

Charlotte Goursot, Sara Hintze, Maria Vilain Rørvang, Océane Schmitt, David Arney, Xavier Boivin, Anita Koni, Camille Montalcini, Ruth C. Newberry, Céline Tallet, Manja Zupan Šemrov, Sébastien Goumon

Published in 2026

Review highlighting that animal welfare depends on the interaction between individual characteristics and social life. It emphasizes the role of affiliative interactions, sociability, and social skills as levers for improving the welfare and management of farm animals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Transferring mice to a naturalistic environment alters their fear responses

Matthew N. Zipple, Bryson Loflin, Daniel Chang Kuo, Erin Tan, Michael J. Sheehan

Published in 2025

A study showing that anxiety observed in laboratory mice is highly dependent on their environment. Transferring them to an enriched environment that closely mimics natural conditions rapidly reduces anxious behaviors, highlighting the importance of environmental experiences in the assessment of threats and animal well-being.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Rodents

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