Equine and bovine animals: Olfaction
All equine and bovine animals have well developed olfaction. In addition to sensory cells in the nasal cavity there is also a special organ located between the nasal and oral cavities, the vomeronasal organ. It can detect various pheromones (substances that function as signals between individuals of the same species). For example: smells in the urine that reveal the position in the heat cycle, but it has also been observed that cattle and pigs that are very frightened and stressed can excrete smells that make other animals react with carefulness or
fear.
Olfaction is the pig’s most important sense, and is on par with that of the dog. Research indicates that pigs, among other things, owing to stimulus of the mucosa in the nose (not the smell per se) feel a strong aversion against inhaling air with an elevated level of carbon dioxide. That has a negative impact on animals when stunning with carbon dioxide.
Photo: Lotta Berg, SLU.
Sheep are regarded to have excellent olfaction, and they avoid feed and areas that are a risk to their health or a hazard.
Photo: Annika Arnesson, SLU.
Remember!
- Equine and bovine animals have well developed olfaction.
- Research indicates that animals can signal fear and stress via pheromones.
- Reserch indicates that pigs, due to stimulus of the mucosa in the nose among other things, feel strong aversion against breathing carbon dioxide when stunned with gas.
