Evaluación del efecto del Rescue Remedy en la modulación del distrés en gatos de refugio en Guayaquil.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of Rescue Remedy (Bach Flower Remedies) on the modulation of distress in shelter cats in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Stress in these environments is multifactorial and compromises the welfare, health, and adoption prospects of the felines. The research adopted a methodological approach based on the behavioral observation of 100 cats, utilizing an ethogram to record behaviors before and after 10 days of treatment applied via spray. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.0001) in stress levels. The average distress score decreased from 7.24 to 4.59 points, and the population categorized with "low stress" increased from 19 % to 51 %. Specifically, a notable decrease was observed in hypervigilance (from 30 % to 11 %) and social isolation (from 29 % to 13 %), while sociable temperament doubled, rising from 23 % to 51 %. It is concluded that Rescue Remedy is an effective and non-invasive tool for improving the emotional well-being of cats in shelters. Its application promotes adaptation and sociability, facilitating clinical management and adoption processes without generating side effects. These findings support the integration of flower essence therapies as a complement to animal welfare protocols.