Cortisol is a common topic within the animal behavior community. There are so many papers that use cortisol as a measure of stress, but what do they mean and how do you read them? There are also many statements thrown around about the importance of cortisol in domesticated animals, such as cortisol sticks around for days after a stressful event and animals should be given “cortisol vacations”. (Let’s all take cortisol vacations!)

In this podcast, we chat with Judit Smits, DVM, MVetSc, PhD about her knowledge of animal biology, behavior, and cortisol. She provides information about all of your burning questions on cortisol and offers some hope to those of us stressing about stress.

Dr. Smit’s Information: vet.ucalgary.ca/contact-us/faculty-members/full-time/judit-smits

An excellent book on biology and its effects on behavior: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Zebras-Dont-Ulcers-Third/dp/0805073698
(Mindy is a HUGE Robert Sapolsky fan!)

Length: 45 min

CEUs Offered: Yes (0.5 CEUs) – submit your CEU request

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