A claws and hair cortisol levels correlation in cats.

Abstract

The accumulation of cortisol in hair and claws, which grow slowly, makes it possible to retrospectively assess chronic stress levels. The study involved 47 cats from a shelter for homeless animals. Hair from the lumbosacral region and the dead part of claws from the front paw were collected. The average cortisol levels were 0.85 ng/ml in the cats’ hair and 4.56 ng/ml in the claws. There was no significant relationship between cortisol levels in hair and claws. To date, too little research has been done on the correlation between cortisol levels in the hair and claws of cats. It is insufficient to unequivocally prove the existence of such a relationship.