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→Signs of Fear
* Facial and postural expressions of fear, directed at fear eliciting stimulus (ear & tail position, piloerection, facial expression, muscular rigidity, posture)
* Facial and postural expressions of fear, directed at fear eliciting stimulus (ear & tail position, piloerection, facial expression, muscular rigidity, posture)
* Sympathetic arousal (graded to threat)
* Sympathetic arousal (graded to threat)
* Muscle tremor
* Muscle tremor
* Flight-escape response (well organised and directed unlike in panic)
* Flight-escape response (well organised and directed unlike in panic)
* Threat/aggression directed towards stimulus
* Threat/aggression directed towards stimulus
* There may be urination or defecation (with an apparent loss of control)
When frightened, animals engage in Species Specific Defence Reactions (SSDRs), known as "The Four Fs".
These include:
* Fight
* Flight
* Freezing
* "Fiddling about" (performing apparently unrelated behaviours such as grooming)
The most obvious response to fear is self-defence when there is some prospect of driving the fear-eliciting stimulus away, or when escape is not possible. However, responses to fear are complex and may produce long lasting changes in behaviour. In fearful situations cats can therefore either withdraw from the environment, both social and physical, or show a decreased threshold of reactivity to stimuli leading to reactive behavioural manifestations of the fear.
The cat's primary response to fear is "flight" (avoidance or escape), but they will resort to aggression when escape is impossible in an attempt to drive the fear-eliciting stimulus away. Freezing tends to occur when either flight or fight are impossible, or as the animal evaluates its best option. A cat that is "frozen" but showing signs of stress can launch a sudden attack. Fiddling about may be a form of "self-distraction" in an otherwise inescapable situation of stress, but it may also have some value in diffusing tension in frustration and intraspecific conflict. Fear also potentiates the startle response, so fearful animals will react suddeny to unexpected stimuli and events.
* An increase in withdrawn and secretive behaviour including hiding
* An increase in withdrawn and secretive behaviour including hiding
* Reluctance to go outdoors or to enter open spaces within the home
* Reluctance to go outdoors or to enter open spaces within the home