What term refers to sensory input that can overwhelm an animal and cause stress?

The term that describes sensory input capable of overwhelming an animal and leading to stress is known as "Overwhelming Stimuli." This concept encompasses various types of sensory information—such as sounds, smells, sights, and physical sensations—that, when in excess or perceived as threatening, can lead to heightened anxiety or stress responses in animals.

Overwhelming stimuli can vary significantly from one animal to another since individual experiences and sensitivities play a pivotal role in how an animal processes its environment. For instance, a sound that may seem ordinary to a human, like a loud noise, can be alarming and overwhelming to a sensitive animal. Identifying and understanding these stimuli helps veterinary professionals employ strategies to minimize stress and make the animal’s experience safer and more comfortable.

The other options, while related to stress in animals, do not specifically pinpoint the concept of overwhelming sensory input. Environmental triggers refer more broadly to factors in an animal's environment that could provoke a stress response, and stress factors are various elements contributing to an animal's overall stress levels without specifically addressing their sensory nature. Excessive input suggests an overload but lacks the specificity of defining the type of input causing the stress.