What do we refer to when describing an animal's overall stress level based on its physical behavior?

The term that best describes an animal's overall stress level based on its physical behavior is stress indicators. Stress indicators encompass a variety of behaviors and physical signs exhibited by an animal that suggest they are experiencing stress. These can include alterations in body posture, changes in vocalization, pacing, excessive grooming, and other behavioral changes that manifest in response to stressors in their environment.

Understanding stress indicators is critical for veterinary professionals as it helps them assess the emotional state of an animal, leading to improved handling and care strategies that prioritize the animal's comfort and well-being. Recognizing these signs enables caregivers to implement fear-free practices effectively, reducing the stress experienced by animals during veterinary visits and other stressful situations.

Body language, while closely related, specifically refers to the visual cues animals provide through their posture, movement, and facial expressions. Physiologic response includes internal bodily changes such as increased heart rate or cortisol levels but does not directly account for the observable behaviors seen with stress. Environmental cues involve external factors in the surroundings that may influence an animal's stress level but do not pertain directly to the animal's physical behavior. Each of these aspects plays a role, but stress indicators specifically hone in on the observable manifestations of an animal's stress.