Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Tolerance or appreciation of human contact is learned as a result of early experience during the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive period]]. In many cases aggressive cats are the product of an unsatisfactory start in life and problems arise. For example, a lack of appropriate handling between two and seven weeks of age will cause a cat to grow up to be wary of people and to have a predisposition towards defensively aggressive behaviour if it is placed in a situation where it feels threatened. Experience teaches these individuals that their [[Feline Aggression - Overview|aggressive behaviour]] is very effective at maintaining distance between themselves and any person of whom they are suspicious. Before long the aggressive display is used as a '''pre-emptive''' rather than a '''reactionary behaviour'''. This results in a noticeable change in the cat’s strategy for dealing with fear. Early in the course of the problem, the cat will show noticeable signs of fear, attempting to use defence strategies such as running away or hiding. However, over time it will begin to select aggressive responses more readily so that a more offensive pattern of behaviour is seen. By the time some of these cases are brought to the attention of the veterinary practice or referred for specific professional advice the initial fearful motivation for the behaviour may be obscured by the cat’s overt hostility and offensive behaviour.  

Tolerance or appreciation of human contact is learned as a '''result of early experience''' during the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive period]]. In many cases aggressive cats are the product of an unsatisfactory start in life and problems arise. For example, a lack of appropriate handling between two and seven weeks of age will cause a cat to grow up to be wary of people and to have a predisposition towards defensively aggressive behaviour if it is placed in a situation where it feels threatened. Experience teaches these individuals that their [[Feline Aggression - Overview|aggressive behaviour]] is very effective at maintaining distance between themselves and any person of whom they are suspicious. Before long the aggressive display is used as a '''pre-emptive''' rather than a '''reactionary behaviour'''. This results in a noticeable change in the cat’s strategy for dealing with fear. Early in the course of the problem, the cat will show noticeable signs of fear, attempting to use defence strategies such as running away or hiding. However, over time it will begin to select aggressive responses more readily so that a more offensive pattern of behaviour is seen. By the time some of these cases are brought to the attention of the veterinary practice or referred for specific professional advice the initial fearful motivation for the behaviour may be obscured by the cat’s overt hostility and offensive behaviour.  

It is important to question the owner about any previous traumatic experience involving people, the use of inappropriate punishment for behaviour in the past or the presence of inappropriate and unintentional reward of the present behaviour.  

It is important to question the owner about any previous traumatic experience involving people, the use of inappropriate punishment for behaviour in the past or the presence of inappropriate and unintentional reward of the present behaviour.  

Cats that are exhibiting fear-related aggression toward people will often adopt characteristic postures and use defensive vocalisation prior to a defensive paw swipe, which is intended to drive the threat to a greater distance. The response of the person may be significant in the progression of the problem behaviour and it should be remembered that the owner’s attempts at reassurance often reinforce fear and aggression by increasing social pressure on the cat and thereby increasing the perception of threat. In situations where owners try to deal with the aggressive behaviour by punishing the cat, an anticipation of the owner’s apparent ‘aggression’ may increase the cat's fear further and lead to an escalation of the problem.  

Cats that are exhibiting fear-related aggression toward people will often adopt characteristic postures and use defensive vocalisation prior to a defensive paw swipe, which is intended to drive the threat to a greater distance. The response of the person may be significant in the progression of the problem behaviour and it should be remembered that the owner’s attempts at reassurance often reinforce fear and aggression by increasing social pressure on the cat and thereby increasing the perception of threat. In situations where owners try to deal with the aggressive behaviour by punishing the cat, an anticipation of the owner’s apparent ‘aggression’ may increase the cat's fear further and lead to an escalation of the problem.  

==Prevention of Fear-Related Aggression Towards People==

==Prevention of Fear-Related Aggression Towards People==

*Immature animals should not be exposed to fearful or threatening situations or events.

*Immature animals should not be exposed to fearful or threatening situations or events.

*Physical punishment should NEVER be used in the training of cats or kittens.

*Physical punishment should NEVER be used in the training of cats or kittens.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

'''Fear-related aggression is a motivational diagnosis and it can be associated with a variety of contexts'''. In some cases it may therefore be beneficial to add a contextual label as part of the diagnosis. For example, a cat that is aggressive when handled by the owner may be diagnosed as displaying “aggression associated with handling” that is fear motivated and a cat that is fearful of strangers and shows aggression to the owners when visitors are present may be diagnosed as a case of “redirected aggression”, which is motivated by frustration of the fear response. In both cases “fear-related aggression” is the underlying motivational diagnosis and treatment of the cat’s underlying fear is crucial to the success of treatment but the contextual labels help the owner to understand when the behaviour may occur and to take steps to avoid it.  

'''Fear-related aggression is a motivational diagnosis and it can be associated with a variety of contexts'''. In some cases it may therefore be beneficial to add a contextual label as part of the diagnosis. For example, a cat that is aggressive when handled by the owner may be diagnosed as displaying "aggression associated with handling" that is fear motivated and a cat that is fearful of strangers and shows aggression to the owners when visitors are present may be diagnosed as a case of "redirected aggression", which is motivated by frustration of the fear response. In both cases "fear-related aggression" is the underlying motivational diagnosis and treatment of the cat’s underlying fear is crucial to the success of treatment but the contextual labels help the owner to understand when the behaviour may occur and to take steps to avoid it.  

 

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

It is unusual for cats to show fear-related aggression towards people outside the home environment unless cornered or handled [such as when at the veterinary clinic]. Fear-related aggression towards people in the home is treated using desensitisation and counter-conditioning procedures, often supported by pheromonotherapy.  

It is unusual for cats to show fear-related aggression towards people outside the home environment unless cornered or handled (such as when at the veterinary clinic). Fear-related aggression towards people in the home is treated using '''desensitisation and counter-conditioning procedures''', often supported by '''[[Pheromonotherapy|pheromonotherapy]]'''.  

The general method employed is:

The general method employed is:

<font color="red">this section may need adaptation once we have a page on pheromonotherapy</font>

<font color="red">this section may need adaptation once we have a page on pheromonotherapy</font>

'''Pheromonotherapy may be used to assist behavioural therapy'''. The pheromone '''F3''' [Feliway] can be used to '''reduce general anxiety''' so that the home or training environment is less threatening and it has been particularly beneficial in cases of cat to cat aggression within the same household. '''F4''' [Felifriend] is a '''social pheromone''' used by cats to identify familiar individuals and when applied to unfamiliar individuals this can increase the cat’s tendency to approach and show affiliative behaviour. This can also be useful because it reduces escape responses. Combinations of pheromone therapies are especially helpful when the target of aggression is a member of the family or regular visitor to the household of a cat that has been recently re-homed. F4 may produce dissonant emotional states (which can induce a panic reaction) when the person or animal to whom F4 has been applied is already familiar to the cat from some aversive encounter and therefore invokes visual triggering of hostile responses. Further work in this area is essential but at the moment F4 should be used with care, applying it only to unfamiliar individuals, preferably from species with which the cat was socialised as a kitten.

'''Pheromonotherapy may be used to assist behavioural therapy'''. The pheromone '''F3''' (Feliway) can be used to '''reduce general anxiety''' so that the home or training environment is less threatening and it has been particularly beneficial in cases of cat to cat aggression within the same household. '''F4''' (Felifriend) is a '''social pheromone''' used by cats to identify familiar individuals and when applied to unfamiliar individuals this can increase the cat’s tendency to approach and show [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Affiliative Behaviour|affiliative behaviour]]. This can also be useful because it reduces escape responses. Combinations of pheromone therapies are especially helpful when the target of aggression is a member of the family or regular visitor to the household of a cat that has been recently re-homed. F4 may produce dissonant emotional states (which can induce a panic reaction) when the person or animal to whom F4 has been applied is already familiar to the cat from some aversive encounter and therefore invokes visual triggering of hostile responses. Further work in this area is essential but at the moment F4 should be used with care, applying it only to unfamiliar individuals, preferably from species with which the cat was socialised as a kitten.

====Psychoactive Medication====

====Psychoactive Medication====

In some cases of fear-aggression, the use of psychoactive medication may be useful to support behavioural therapy. '''Selegiline''' may be used to '''reduce apprehension'''. The effect of this drug is to increase exploratory behaviour and confidence in fearful situations. It can also enhance the perception of reward, and thereby improve responses to counterconditioning procedures. However, by encouraging the animal to move closer to the target of the fear-related aggression there is an increased risk of injury if the person startles the cat by making a sudden noise or movement. This appears to be worst during the initiation of treatment [the first 4-6 weeks of medication].  

In some cases of fear-aggression, the use of psychoactive medication may be useful to support behavioural therapy. '''Selegiline''' may be used to '''reduce apprehension'''. The effect of this drug is to increase exploratory behaviour and confidence in fearful situations. It can also enhance the perception of reward, and thereby improve responses to counterconditioning procedures. However, by encouraging the animal to move closer to the target of the fear-related aggression there is an increased risk of injury if the person startles the cat by making a sudden noise or movement. This appears to be worst during the initiation of treatment (the first 4-6 weeks of medication).  

Serotonergic drugs such as '''Fluoxetine''' and '''Clomipramine''' may be used to '''reduce aggression where anxiety is a causative factor'''. However, in many cases of fear-related aggression anxiety over the consequences of launching an attack may be the only thing that prevents it. Reduction of anxiety in these cases can cause disinhibition of this anxiety, producing greater risk of attacks and injuries. Great care must therefore be taken when considering the use of any psychoactive drug; they can only be used safely and effectively after a thorough assessment of the case, and in combination with a well organised behavioural therapy plan and management to reduce risk of injury. No drug is currently licensed for the treatment of feline fear-related aggression, so informed consent must be obtained at the time of prescribing.

Serotonergic drugs such as '''Fluoxetine''' and '''Clomipramine''' may be used to '''reduce aggression where anxiety is a causative factor'''. However, in many cases of fear-related aggression anxiety over the consequences of launching an attack may be the only thing that prevents it. Reduction of anxiety in these cases can cause disinhibition of this anxiety, producing greater risk of attacks and injuries. Great care must therefore be taken when considering the use of any psychoactive drug; they can only be used safely and effectively after a thorough assessment of the case, and in combination with a well organised behavioural therapy plan and management to reduce risk of injury. No drug is currently licensed for the treatment of feline fear-related aggression, so informed consent must be obtained at the time of prescribing.

*Identify contexts and other stimuli that contribute to raised fearful arousal.

*Identify contexts and other stimuli that contribute to raised fearful arousal.

*Desensitise and counter condition the cat to these contexts and stimuli.

*Desensitise and counter condition the cat to these contexts and stimuli.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

'''Prognosis strongly relates to the owner’s expectation of therapy'''. Clients who expect that a cat will become overtly friendly and tactile with all family members and visitors to the house may be disappointed.  

'''Prognosis strongly relates to the owner’s expectation of therapy'''. Clients who expect that a cat will become overtly friendly and tactile with all family members and visitors to the house may be disappointed.  

Part of creating a good prognosis is therefore to teach clients about normal feline social behaviour and the kinds of activities that cats derive pleasure from. A balanced relationship involving appropriate levels of contact, greeting behaviour and play is likely to succeed. Cats that wish to avoid contact with certain visitors should be allowed to do so, because this represents a safe and normal response to fear, which is far more desirable than an aggressive attack.

Part of creating a good prognosis is therefore to teach clients about [[Feline Social Behaviour|normal feline social behaviour]] and the kinds of activities that cats derive pleasure from. A balanced relationship involving appropriate levels of contact, greeting behaviour and play is likely to succeed. Cats that wish to avoid contact with certain visitors should be allowed to do so, because this represents a safe and normal response to fear, which is far more desirable than an aggressive attack.

 

If clients can be satisfied with this kind of situation, then the prognosis is generally good. However, cats that have already inflicted injuries without any deliberate provocation are potentially an ongoing danger. For example, cats that rush out from hiding places and attack without warning cannot be safely managed. This is why it is very important to differentiate motivations such as [[Misdirected Feline Predatory Behaviour Towards People|misdirected predatory play]] from genuine fear-related aggression, because the two often have different treatments and outcomes.

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