Changes

 

As with fear in any species, the rule of prevention being better than cure certainly applies. It is essential to remember that cats need to be taught to live in human society and to accept that all of the signs of human activity are, in fact, normal. To this end, it is paramount that breeders understand the importance of the [[Feline Socialisation|socialisation period]] and ensure that there is sufficient and appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with fear in any species, the rule of prevention being better than cure certainly applies. It is essential to remember that cats need to be taught to live in human society and to accept that all of the signs of human activity are, in fact, normal. To this end, it is paramount that breeders understand the importance of the socialisation period and ensure that there is sufficient and appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens. In cats the primary sensitive period of socialisation is very early, running from approximately 2 to 7 weeks of age. During this time the majority of cats, especially pedigree ones, are with the breeder on their premises and therefore the duty for ensuring that kittens come into society as acceptable companion animals rests largely on the breeder’s shoulders. The potential genetic influence on feline temperament through the boldness trait of the tomcat is a topic that has received a lot of attention in recent years and it is now generally accepted that the temperament of both the queen and the tom are important when deciding on breeding programmes. The fact that kittens can be reliably identified on the basis of the behavioural reactions of the father is evidence for a genetic factor and the boldness trait is believed to be important in enabling kittens to cope with interaction with their environment, both social and physical.

 

Puppy parties are now a relatively common feature of general practice, but rather less provision is offered to kittens. It is possible to organise kitten parties, although the risks of infectious disease are greater than for puppy parties and the kittens will almost certainly have finished their socialisation period at the time of the party. What may be easier, more practical, and equally worthwhile is to offer clients an educational evening on cat behaviour, to cover aspects of environmental enrichment, handling and social interaction so that kitten owners can properly understand and mould their cat’s behaviour.

Prevention of feline fear, anxiety and phobia problems

Prevention of feline fear, anxiety and phobia problems

• Select kittens that come from bold, sociable parents.

* Select kittens that come from bold, sociable parents

• Avoid kittens that have been reared in isolation from normal domestic activities.

* Avoid kittens that have been reared in isolation from normal domestic activities

• Properly-reared kittens should meet a wide variety of people and other animals.

* Properly-reared kittens should meet a wide variety of people and other animals

• They should also be exposed to a wide range of noises and other everyday events.

* They should also be exposed to a wide range of noises and other everyday events

• Confident behaviour can be shaped by reinforcing approach and other bold behaviours using food rewards and play.

* Confident behaviour can be shaped by reinforcing approach and other bold behaviours using food rewards and play

• To encourage confidence, it is important not to pick up and hold cats, but rather to allow them to approach voluntarily.

* To encourage confidence, it is important not to pick up and hold cats, but rather to allow them to approach voluntarily

• Owners should be taught to understand and appropriately reciprocate normal feline greeting behaviour.

* Owners should be taught to understand and appropriately reciprocate normal feline greeting behaviour

Many of the principles of the origins of feline fears are the same as those that apply to canine fears but the influence of the individual cat, the owner and the environment need to be considered. Once kittens are living in their new home there are a variety of potential factors, which can contribute to the establishing of feline fears, and new owners need to be advised on how to minimise the risk factors. Owners need to be aware of the risks of unintentional reinforcement of fear-related responses and they should ensure that when the cat is showing signs of fear they do not react in a way which could be misinterpreted.  

Once kittens are living in their new home, there are a variety of potential factors, which can contribute to the establishing of feline fears and new owners need to be advised on how to minimise the risk factors. Owners need to be aware of the risks of unintentional reinforcement of fear-related responses and they should ensure that when the cat is showing signs of fear they do not react in a way which could be misinterpreted.  

It is important to:

It is important to:

• Cease untimely reassurance  

* Cease untimely reassurance  

• Avoid all confrontation and physical punishment

* Avoid all confrontation and physical punishment

• Minimise upheaval in the core territory during major renovation or redecoration  

* Minimise upheaval in the [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]] during major renovation or redecoration  

• Prevent over-attachment by encouraging access to outdoors and enabling the cat to express its full range of natural behaviours.

* Prevent over-attachment by encouraging access to outdoors and enabling the cat to express its full range of natural behaviours  

 

When dealing with cats who are exhibiting fear-related behaviour problems it is essential for owners to realise that the cat needs to feel in control of the situation and that forcing the cat to confront its fear is unlikely to be effective. Flight is a primary defence strategy for the cat and, therefore, in some cases it may be necessary to block the flight route whilst desensitisation and counterconditioning techniques are applied. Obviously, one of the most important factors in the success of any behavioural treatment for feline fears is the correct application of reinforcement and an understanding of the relative value of resources is essential.

When dealing with cats who are exhibiting fear-related behaviour problems it is essential for owners to realise that the cat needs to feel in control of the situation and that forcing the cat to confront its fear is unlikely to be effective. Flight is a primary defence strategy for the cat and, therefore, in some cases it may be necessary to block the flight route whilst desensitisation and counterconditioning techniques are applied. Obviously, one of the most important factors in the success of any behavioural treatment for feline fears is the correct application of reinforcement and an understanding of the relative value of resources is essential.