Changes

====Signs to Predict Aggression====

====Signs to Predict Aggression====

Aggression is often labelled as ‘unpredictable’ when this is rarely the case. Usually there is a discernable pattern to the cat’s behaviour:

Aggression is often labelled as ‘unpredictable’ when this is rarely the case. Usually there is a discernable pattern to the cat’s behaviour:

*Any warnings the cat has given [eye contact, posture, growling, hissing].

*Any warnings the cat has gives [eye contact, posture, growling, hissing].

*Any avoidant behaviour the cat has carried out, including freezing.

*Any avoidant behaviour the cat has carries out, including freezing.

*Timing [certain times of day].

*Timing [certain times of day].

*Relationship to events or activities [territorial trigger, arrival of a visitor, play, grooming, feeding, owner departure from the house, etc].

*Relationship to events or activities [territorial trigger, arrival of a visitor, play, grooming, feeding, owner departure from the house, etc].

To safely treat aggressive cats, the motivation for every aggressive incident must be thoroughly understood and a pattern of behaviour identified if possible. The owner should be asked to describe what happened at each event, and not to interpret what happened. The first priority is to use this information to prevent injury. If attacks were truly unpredictable then this would constitute a serious and unavoidable risk that would not be acceptable.

To safely treat aggressive cats, the motivation for every aggressive incident must be thoroughly understood and a pattern of behaviour identified if possible. The owner should be asked to describe what happened at each event, and not to interpret what happened. The first priority is to use this information to prevent injury. If attacks were truly unpredictable then this would constitute a serious and unavoidable risk that would not be acceptable.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==