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→Potential Causes of Problematic Fear
* [[Feline Grooming Disorders|Over-grooming and even self-mutilation]]
* [[Feline Grooming Disorders|Over-grooming and even self-mutilation]]
==Potential Causes of Problematic Fear==
==Potential Causes of Emotional Problems==
Potential causes of feline fears, phobias and anxiety-related problems include:
Potential causes of feline fears, phobias and anxiety-related problems include:
* Old age - loss of competence and an increase in general fearfulness in geriatric cats is well recognised
* Old age - loss of competence and an increase in general fearfulness in geriatric cats is well recognised
* Unintentional owner reinforcement of fearful responses
* Unintentional owner reinforcement of fearful responses
In the veterinary context:
In the veterinary context:
* Any form of debilitation tends to increase self-defensiveness and aggression.
* Any form of debilitation tends to increase self-defensiveness and aggression.
* Hypoglycaemia is associated with irritability and aggression.
* Hypoglycaemia is associated with irritability and aggression.
Sickness behaviour, which is mediated by the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Sickness behaviour includes lethargy, depression, anorexia, energy conservation, anhedonia, cognitive impairment, hyperalgesia, decreased social interaction and anxiety. It is therefore important to be aware of this relationship between inflammation and behaviour that can contribute to signs commonly associated with emotional disorder.
It is therefore wise to consider the possibility that behavioural change is associated with medical disorder.
It is therefore wise to consider the possibility that behavioural change is associated with medical disorder.