Changes

Whilst some authors discuss "separation anxiety syndrome" in dogs and cats as similar entities<ref>Schwartz, S. (2003) Separation anxiety syndrome in dogs and cats. ''J Am Vet Med Assoc''. 222(11), 1526-1532.</ref> and case series have confirmed that behavioural problems in cats can relate to owner absence<ref>Schwartz S: Separation anxiety syndrome in cats: 136 cases (1991-2000). "J Am Vet Med Assoc" 220:1028-1033, 2002.</ref>, the precise nature of feline separation related problems has yet to be properly investigated.

Whilst some authors discuss "separation anxiety syndrome" in dogs and cats as similar entities<ref>Schwartz, S. (2003) Separation anxiety syndrome in dogs and cats. ''J Am Vet Med Assoc''. 222(11), 1526-1532.</ref> and case series have confirmed that behavioural problems in cats can relate to owner absence<ref>Schwartz S: Separation anxiety syndrome in cats: 136 cases (1991-2000). "J Am Vet Med Assoc" 220:1028-1033, 2002.</ref>, the precise nature of feline separation related problems has yet to be properly investigated.

Normally, cats depend on their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|location and territory]] for security, rather than other individuals. This could be described as an attachment; cats show signs of anxiety and distress when taken away from their territory, and will attempt to return to it. This is because cats are [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] and do not require other cats to help them to gain the resources that they need to survive. The territory provides everything that the cat needs to survive and thrive. It is unlikely that cats develop exactly the same kind of attachment related problems as are seen in obligate social species such as the dog. However, since cats are so reliant on their environment and free access to resources in order to feel secure, this could provide a basis for problems if the environment is inadequate. Cats that are anxious or fearful may come to depend on their owner(s) for security and reassurance, either because their environment does not offer them sufficient opportunities to regulate their own emotional state, or because the owner has control of resources the cat needs and uses access to these to reinforce dependent ands attention seeking behaviour. Cats can also show increased dependence on their owners if the presence of that person guarantees safety in an otherwise stressful environment. For example, the cat may be safe from attack by other cats in the household only when the owner is present, so that the cat cannot eat, drink or eliminate in safety when the owner is absent. A similar situation is seen in cats that are terrorised by neighbourhood cats and refuse to go into the garden unless the owner is present. Specific underlying fear or anxiety problems must therefore be identified and addressed when assessing separation related problems. Keeping cats indoors is observed to increase the level of interaction between cats and their owners, and it might be expected that dependence problems would be more common in these individuals.

Normally, cats depend on their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|location and territory]] for security, rather than other individuals. This could be described as an attachment; cats show signs of anxiety and distress when taken away from their territory, and will attempt to return to it. This is because cats are [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] and do not require other cats to help them to gain the resources that they need to survive. The territory provides everything that the cat needs to survive and thrive. It is unlikely that cats develop exactly the same kind of attachment related problems as are seen in obligate social species such as the dog. However, since cats are so reliant on their environment and free access to resources in order to feel secure, this could provide a basis for problems if the environment is inadequate.  

 

Cats that are anxious or fearful may come to depend on their owner(s) for security and reassurance, either because their environment does not offer them sufficient opportunities to regulate their own emotional state, or because the owner has control of resources the cat needs and uses access to these to reinforce dependent ands attention seeking behaviour. Cats can also show increased dependence on their owners if the presence of that person guarantees safety in an otherwise stressful environment. For example, the cat may be safe from attack by other cats in the household only when the owner is present, so that the cat cannot eat, drink or eliminate in safety when the owner is absent. A similar situation is seen in cats that are terrorised by neighbourhood cats and refuse to go into the garden unless the owner is present.

 

 

Owners are often inconsistent in their responses to a cat, sometimes reinforcing attention seeking behaviour and at other times punishing or ignoring it. The unpredictable nature of human interaction creates uncertainty and a lack of control for the cat, leading to increased anxiety. Specific underlying fear or anxiety problems must therefore be identified and addressed when assessing separation related problems. Keeping cats indoors is observed to increase the level of interaction between cats and their owners, and it might be expected that dependence problems would be more common in these individuals.

==Emotional homeostasis==

==Emotional homeostasis==