Changes

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

As with dogs, the mainstay of prevention of emotional problems in cats is proper socialisation and habituations to stimuli during the sensitive period of development. However, the [[Feline Socialisation|socialisation period]] in cats ends at around 6-7 weeks of age, when kittens are typically still with the breeder. It is therefore essential that breeders take primary responsibility for providing appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens.  

As with dogs, the mainstay of prevention of emotional problems in cats is proper socialisation and habituations to stimuli during the sensitive period of development. However, the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive socialisation period]] in cats ends at around 6-7 weeks of age, when kittens are typically still with the breeder. It is therefore essential that breeders take primary responsibility for providing appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens. To develop properly, kittens must meet a wide variety of people and other animals, and be exposed to a wide range of noises and everyday events that are typical of what they will experience in a family home. The greater the discrepancy between the rearing environment and the environment the cat will live in as an adult, the greater the risk of a behavioural problem.

Prevention of feline fear, anxiety and phobia problems

A common set of guidelines for owners could include:

* Select kittens that come from bold, sociable parents

* Only take kittens that have 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 (such as in a cattery or shed).

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

* Let kittens develop in confidence by their normal reinforcing approach and play behaviours with food and play (let them avoid contact if they want to).

* Don't force contact or handling if a kitten is fearful.

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

* Provide free access to food, water, latrine sites, resting places, and objects to climb and scratch.

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

* Do not use scolding or physical punishment to deter normal behaviours such as climbing or scratching. Instead, provide outlets for these behaviours and redirect the kitten to them.

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

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 plan ahead when [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|introducing a cat to a new environment]].

The provision of a complex and stimulating environment also reduces the risk of destructiveness and frustration.

 

==Treatment==

==Treatment==