Changes

* Low tendency to startle at sudden noises or movements

* Low tendency to startle at sudden noises or movements

The primary means of controlled exposure used in these cases is desensitisation, because cats will rarely have the confidence to play or eat food when faced with a dog that they are afraid of. The composite stimulus of the sigh, sound and smell of a dog may be more than the cat can cope with, so it is often helpful to break down this composite of stimuli and treat each component individually. Although this may appear to make treatment more laborious, it will actually be quicker and produce a better outcome. <br/>

The primary means of controlled exposure used in these cases is desensitisation, because cats will rarely have the confidence to play or eat food when faced with a dog that they are afraid of. The composite stimulus of the sight, sound and smell of a dog may be more than the cat can cope with, so it is often helpful to break down this composite of stimuli and treat each component individually. Although this may appear to make treatment more laborious, it will actually be quicker and produce a better final outcome. <br/>

The cat can be desensitised to the odour of the dog by presenting items of used dog bedding to the cat in its safe room. After this initial desensitisation, a dog’s odour can also be presented in a counterconditioning procedure; a new tea towel or a pair of cotton gloves is used to collect body scent from the dog by stroking it all over. This item is then presented to the cat for the cat to sniff. Initially the cat may back away or even hiss, but after a number of presentations the cat should allow itself to be stroked with the cloth, and should hen begin to rub itself against the cloth. It is very important that the cat does not encounter the dog during this introduction process as this may cause aversive associations that delay success of behavioural therapy.

The cat can be desensitised to the odour of the dog by presenting items of used dog bedding to the cat in its safe room. After this initial desensitisation, a dog’s odour can also be presented in a counterconditioning procedure; a new tea towel or a pair of cotton gloves is used to collect body scent from the dog by stroking it all over. This item is then presented to the cat for the cat to sniff. Initially the cat may back away or even hiss, but after a number of presentations the cat should allow itself to be stroked with the cloth, and should hen begin to rub itself against the cloth.  

Once the dog’s odour has been introduced, it may be appropriate to '''desensitise the cat to dog vocalisations''', especially if the dog is likely to bark at it. This may be achieved using commercially-available recordings of dog barking and growling, played at low levels. Sound volume is increased over a number of sessions until the cat is tolerant of playback levels that are close to real levels. Some dogs will bark at a cat in order to intimidate it into running. A cat that has been thoroughly habituated to canine vocalisation is less likely to be startled, so that the dog’s behaviour does not gain the reinforcement of a chase. Desensitisation is likely to be slower if the cat has already learned that dog barking precedes a chase or attack.

If the dog is noisy or vocal, it may be appropriate to '''desensitise the cat to dog vocalisations''' using recorded sounds. Sound volume is increased over a number of sessions until the cat is tolerant of playback levels that are close to real levels. Some dogs will bark at a cat in order to intimidate it into running. A cat that has been thoroughly habituated to canine vocalisation is less likely to be startled, so that the dog’s behaviour does not gain the reinforcement of a chase. Desensitisation is likely to be slower if the cat has already learned that dog barking precedes a chase or attack. </br>

Finally, the dog should be introduced as a '''visual signal'''. This depends upon the dog being relaxed, quiet and well trained. At no time should the dog lunge or bark at the cat, so it must be easily controllable. This also follows a desensitisation process, with the dog being introduced initially at a distance that produces little or no fear in the cat. In a domestic environment this may be difficult, which is why the cat must first feel completely secure in the introduction environment. An alternative to keeping the dog at a distance is to provide a partial visual barrier such as a screen. For example, a child gate or glass door may be adapted to provide a partial visual barrier by applying strips of tracing paper. Glass etch spray can be applied to a glass door to produce the same effect. This enables gradual exposure to the dog as a visual stimulus. In some cases, it may even be necessary to use a realistic stuffed toy dog as an initial stimulus because the cat is too frightened of the real thing. The cat may be introduced into the room on a harness and extending leash or in a carry box, or the dog may be brought in quietly on a leash.

It is very important that the cat does not encounter the dog during the desensitisation of sound and scent as this may cause aversive associations that delay success of behavioural therapy.

Initially these introductory sessions should be brief, not longer than 10-15 minutes, to avoid undue stress to the cat. This also avoids the dog becoming bored and disruptive during training. The owner should always try to terminate the session before the cat reaches a point of high arousal and fear.  

Eventually, the dog will need to be introduced as a '''visual signal'''. The first visual encounter is very important, as cats will become highly avoidant if the dog barks at, or tries to chase, them.

The dog must be relaxed, quiet and well trained. It must not lunge or bark at the cat. If the dog is likely to be disruptive, then the introduction should be delayed. In order to avoid wasting time, a relaxed stooge dog could be substituted in the process, so that the cat builds up some experience of seeing dogs before encountering the one it is expected to live with.  

Sessions should become longer and progress to include movement and activity on the part of the dog. This should take the form of controlled activities, such as obedience training, and then short bouts of calm play. The aim is to make these activities controlled and repeatable so that the cat’s response can be monitored and the range of activities expanded without triggering fear. This assumes that the dog is being actively trained to participate in the sessions. As stated earlier, F4 may be used to enhance introduction to a new dog, but should be used with caution where the cat already has an existing intense fear of a specific dog.

Visual introduction follows a desensitisation process, with the dog being introduced initially at a distance that elicits minimal fear in the cat. In a domestic environment this may be difficult, which is why the cat must first feel completely secure in the introduction environment. An alternative to keeping the dog at a distance is to provide a partial visual barrier such as a screen. For example, a child gate or glass door may be adapted to provide a partial visual barrier by applying strips of cloth or paper. Glass etch spray or film (which is usually used on bathroom windows) can be applied to a glass door to produce the same effect. This enables gradual exposure to the dog as a visual stimulus. To be desensitised, the cat must have some level of exposure to the dog, so although cats should generally be allowed to come and go from the room at will, in some cases the cat may need to be confined in the room to prevent it from escaping every time. In these cases the cat must have adequate hiding opportunities and places to climb up high. Desensitisation appears to progress more effectively if the cat has a high vantage point to observe the dog, rather than hiding under or behind objects. This may be because a high position offers the cat a complete view of what is happening and allows the cat to move around, groom and relax.

In some cases, the cat will continue to mount an escape response because this has become habitual rather than motivated by intense fear. The escape response of these cats may be slowed or delayed using a harness and trailing line, with the cat being rewarded for non-escape or when it returns after having attempted to move away. Pressure is placed on the line as it drags along the floor so that the cat’s escape is slowed down. Methods like this are not routinely required and should only be used if escape or avoidance behaviour superstitiously persists after desensitisation, psychoactive drug therapy and counterconditioning have all been used.

Initially these introductory sessions should be brief, not longer than 10 minutes, to avoid undue stress to the cat. This also avoids the dog becoming overexcited or frustrated and disruptive during training. Sessions should end with the cat being more relaxed than at the beginning of the session, and stopped if the cat shows signs of increasing arousal or fear. If the cat shows signs of increasing stress during every session, behavioural therapy is likely to lead to a worsening emotional response, rather than an improvement.

Sessions should progress to include the dog moving around and playing. This should take the form of controlled activities, such as obedience training, and then short bouts of calm play with the dog. The aim is to make these activities controlled and repeatable so that the cat’s response can be monitored and the range of activities expanded without triggering fear. A synthetic analogue of the F4 fraction of feline facial and flank marking pheromone (Felifriend) may be applied to the shoulder and neck area of a dog so that the cat is more likely to accept it as familiar and non-threatening. However, this is less likely to be effective if the cat has already had negative experiences with dogs (especially if there have been negative experiences with the dog to be introduced).

* Provide the cat with a safe environment, with readily accessible resources.

 

* Consider the use of F3 to increase familiarity and security of the environment.

Psychoactive medication may be used to reduce fear and anxiety. Selegiline is licensed for the treatment of behavioural problems with an underlying emotional cause in dogs, and may be the first choice drug in cats with a fear of dogs (following CASCADE). However, in cats that show panic or generalised anxiety, a serotonergic drug may be more appropriate. These drugs take a minimum of 4-6 weeks to reach efficacy.

* Allow the cat to feel secure in the environment, so that it can make use of all resources and escape routes, before introducing specific therapy for the fear problem.

* Desensitise or countercondition the cat to elements of the stimuli it fears separately: sight, sound, smell and movement of the animal.

* DO NOT CARRY THE CAT INTO A SITUATION WHERE A DOG IS PRESENT FOR TRAINING AS THIS MAY TRIGGER AGGRESSION. Instead, bring it in in a carry box or allow it to enter from another room on a harness and flexi leash.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==