Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Cats are highly dependent on their [[Feline Territorial Behavour|territory]], which has to be born in mind during their management. Any changes to their environment may have profound effect on their well being and behavioural problems may develop if this is not addressed appropriately.  

Cats are highly dependent on their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]], which has to be born in mind during their management. Any changes to their environment may have profound effect on their well being and behavioural problems may develop if this is not addressed appropriately, particularly at times of rehoming or owners moving house. Proper introduction to a new [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|‘core territory’]] reduces stress and the likelihood of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear problems]]. Creating attachment to a new core territory also reduces the risk of the cat straying or trying to return to its original territory after a house move.

==Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment==

==Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment==

==Environment in Potentially Fearful Situation===

==Environment in Potentially Fearful Situation===

The normal feline coping strategy in fearful situations is highly dependent upon familiarity with the environment and the opportunities it provides for escape and avoidance behaviour. In this way, the cat is highly attached and dependent upon its [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] for security, which also means that success in treating fear-based problems is substantially dependent upon the cat’s environment.

The normal feline coping strategy in [[Feline Fear and Stress|fearful situations]] is highly dependent upon familiarity with the environment and the opportunities it provides for escape and avoidance behaviour. In this way, the cat is highly attached and dependent upon its [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] for security, which also means that success in treating fear-based problems is substantially dependent upon the cat’s environment.

The [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core zone]] of the cat’s territory is where it expects to be safest. This is where it may meet familiar conspecifics. Recognition of the core territory is partially dependent upon [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Pheromones|pheromone odour signals]]. The cat expends a lot of time and energy placing face and flank marks within the core territory area, not only to identify elements of the environment as familiar but also to create an appeasing environment for itself. From the cat’s perspective, marking of this kind is very efficient. It enables the cat to recognise a safe location from a set of scent mark ‘mementos’ without having to remember details about its appearance and the events that have happened there. This reduces the cognitive burden of processing and memorising the information. In a new home, these personalised signals will be absent and may even be replaced by the odours of other cats that were previously resident. The anxiety caused creates the conditions for establishing problem behaviour.

The [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core zone]] of the cat’s territory is where it expects to be safest. This is where it may meet familiar conspecifics. Recognition of the core territory is partially dependent upon [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Pheromones|pheromone odour signals]]. The cat expends a lot of time and energy placing [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|face and flank marks]] within the core territory area, not only to identify elements of the environment as familiar but also to create an appeasing environment for itself. In a new home, these personalised signals will be absent and may even be replaced by the odours of other cats that were previously resident. The anxiety caused creates the conditions for establishing problem behaviour.

It is possible, by using synthetic pheromone analogues such as F3 [Feliway, CEVA Animal Health], to recreate or enhance core territory odours. This can increase perceived safety and familiarity in an existing environment, or make a new environment appear familiar and safe.

It is possible, by using synthetic pheromone analogues such as [[Pheromonotherapy|F3 (Feliway)]], to recreate or enhance core territory odours. This can increase perceived safety and familiarity in an existing environment, or make a new environment appear familiar and safe.

Normal exploration of a new environment follows a star-shaped pattern. The cat makes forays into the environment away from an initial safe place. Any fearful event will cause the cat to return briefly to its place of safety. Indeed, successfully learning about a new environment depends upon already having somewhere safe to return to. Without this the cat will experience considerable [[Feline Fear Overview|anxiety and fear]], which may create long-term aversions to the stimuli the cat encounters during the first few hours in a new location. For example, a well-socialised cat might enjoy the company of children when they are in an environment that it understands, but the same cat may react fearfully to boisterous children when in a new environment. This kind of encounter can condition fear reactions that continue to plague the cat’s relationship with the children even once it has settled into the new home.  

 

Normal exploration of a new environment follows a star-shaped pattern. The animal makes forays into the environment away from an initial safe place. Any fearful event will cause the animal to return briefly to its place of safety. Indeed, successfully learning about a new environment depends upon already having somewhere safe to return to. Without this the animal will experience considerable anxiety and fear, which may create long-term aversions to the stimuli the cat encounters during the first few hours in a new location. For example, a well-socialised cat might enjoy the company of children when they are in an environment that it understands, but the same cat may react fearfully to boisterous children when in a new environment. This kind of encounter can condition fear reactions that continue to plague the cat’s relationship with the children even once it has settled into the new home.  

It is therefore essential that the cat accepts and feels safe in the new environment before encountering any potential stressors.

It is therefore essential that the cat accepts and feels safe in the new environment before encountering any potential stressors.