Which term describes negative stress, measured by elevated cortisol levels and observed behaviors such as lip-licking, yawning, and panting?

Which term describes negative stress, measured by elevated cortisol levels and observed behaviors such as lip-licking, yawning, and panting?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Cortisol
• C. Distress
• D. Fear

Answer: (C)

Negative stress, or distress, describes a state where a dog’s welfare is impaired by stress. When stress occurs, the body’s HPA axis activates and cortisol rises, signaling physiological arousal. The behaviors lip-licking, yawning, and panting are common stress signals that dogs show to cope with or communicate discomfort. Distress specifically refers to this adverse welfare condition caused by negative stress, especially when it’s ongoing or intense, distinguishing it from positive or neutral stress (eustress). The other options don’t fit as well: cortisol is just the hormone that indicates stress, not the descriptive term for the welfare state; fear is a specific reaction to a threat rather than a general negative stress state; anxiety is a broader, chronic emotional condition that can contribute to distress but isn’t the term that describes the immediate negative stress state shown by these signs.

Negative stress, or distress, describes a state where a dog’s welfare is impaired by stress. When stress occurs, the body’s HPA axis activates and cortisol rises, signaling physiological arousal. The behaviors lip-licking, yawning, and panting are common stress signals that dogs show to cope with or communicate discomfort. Distress specifically refers to this adverse welfare condition caused by negative stress, especially when it’s ongoing or intense, distinguishing it from positive or neutral stress (eustress). The other options don’t fit as well: cortisol is just the hormone that indicates stress, not the descriptive term for the welfare state; fear is a specific reaction to a threat rather than a general negative stress state; anxiety is a broader, chronic emotional condition that can contribute to distress but isn’t the term that describes the immediate negative stress state shown by these signs.