What is considered an effective way to assess signs of stress in an animal?

Observing body language and vocalization is a highly effective way to assess signs of stress in an animal because these behaviors often serve as direct indicators of an animal's emotional state. Animals express discomfort, anxiety, or fear through various body language cues, such as flattened ears, dilated pupils, a tense body posture, or tail movements. Vocalizations, including growling, whimpering, or even silence, can also signal distress. This observational approach allows caregivers and handlers to gain insight into how an animal is feeling in a specific environment or situation.

In contrast, monitoring food intake can provide information about an animal's well-being but does not give immediate feedback on stress levels, as changes in appetite may take time to manifest and can be influenced by various factors unrelated to stress. Reviewing vaccination history is crucial for health management but does not pertain directly to assessing current stress signs. Using restraints aggressively would likely exacerbate stress and is not a safe or effective method for assessment; it could lead to increased anxiety and fear in the animal.