Changes

===Counterconditioning===

===Counterconditioning===

The stimulus is presented in association with something that the cat unconditionally enjoys (play, food etc.). After repeated presentations the previously fear-eliciting stimulus begins to elicit the same emotional state as the pleasant event now associated with it. For example, the sound of dogs barking might be played at low volume, starting just before the cat is enticed into a game. Over successive training sessions, the sound level is gradually increased until it reaches realistic levels.

The stimulus is presented in association with a pleasant appetitive stimulus that elicits an unconditionally positive emotional response (play, food etc.). After repeated presentations, the previously fear-eliciting stimulus begins to elicit the same emotional state as the pleasant event now associated with it. For example, the sound of dogs barking might be played at low volume, starting just before the cat is enticed into a game or given a meal. The sounds continue during the play or feeding session, and end when it ends. In this way, the previously fear eliciting stimulus predicts the positive experience, and accompanies it. Over successive training sessions, the sound level is gradually increased until it reaches realistic levels.

Choice of reward is an essential component for success in counterconditioning. The ‘reward’ used must be something that the cat unconditionally enjoys. The previously fear-eliciting stimulus is presented at an intensity at which the ‘reward’ is more pleasurable than the fearful stimulus is aversive. Otherwise the cat may become fearful of eating or play because these have come to be associated with an unpleasant emotional state. Clients should experiment with a wide range of toys and food before beginning counterconditioning. For cats, play is often a better counterconditioning stimulus because it produces an immediate emotional response. Most cats are rather circumspect regarding food treats and it may be hard to use meals for counterconditioning when many cats share a household and need to be fed ad-lib. It is also important to remember that cats habituate to toys very rapidly, which means that counterconditioning exercises that use play must be kept brief (less than 5-10 minutes) to maintain interest and the toys used at each session must be varied. Effectively, part of the counterconditioning stimulus is the novelty of the toy and the play. If toys are swapped during play, then the sessions may be extended beyond 5-10 minutes but they must end before the cat becomes bored.

Choice of appetitive stimulus is an essential component for success in counterconditioning; it must be something that the cat unconditionally enjoys. The previously fear-eliciting stimulus must be presented at an intensity at which the appetitive stimulus is more pleasurable than the fearful stimulus is aversive. Otherwise conditioning can be reversed, and the cat can become fearful of eating or play because these have come to be associated with an unpleasant experience. Clients should experiment with a wide range of toys and food before beginning counterconditioning. For cats, play is often a better counterconditioning stimulus because it produces an immediate emotional response. Unlike dogs, cats may be unresponsive to the use of food in counterconditioning, unless very high palatability food is used. In addition, ad lib feeding is normally part of environmental enrichment for cats.

Training sessions of this kind should be undertaken when the cat is already voluntarily in the environment where training is to take place. Cats should not be carried to the place where training is to take place, because any accidental negative associations made in that situation may also affect the cat’s attitude toward handling, resulting in [[Feline Fear of People|fear of]] or [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression toward the owner]].  

The duration of counterconditioning sessions will be limited by the cats' tendency to habituate to toys very rapidly. A cat may also cease to react if the same toy is presented at each session, so a range of different toys will be needed to maintain the cat's interest; part of the counterconditioning stimulus is the novelty of the toy and the play. Sessions of 5-10 minutes are perfectly adequate and would need to be repeated 2-3 times daily.

===Pheromonatherapy===

===Pheromonatherapy===