Changes

The apparent predictability of attacks is crucial to the safe management and treatment of aggressive cats. '''It is very rare for aggression to be truly unpredictable''', unless the animal has an impulse control disorder or the stimuli that elicit or contribute to aggression originate internally (e.g. pain or dysphoria). However, the behavioural changes that warn of an aggressive attack are often missed or misinterpreted by owners, leading to an escalation of behaviour that surprises the owner.

The apparent predictability of attacks is crucial to the safe management and treatment of aggressive cats. '''It is very rare for aggression to be truly unpredictable''', unless the animal has an impulse control disorder or the stimuli that elicit or contribute to aggression originate internally (e.g. pain or dysphoria). However, the behavioural changes that warn of an aggressive attack are often missed or misinterpreted by owners, leading to an escalation of behaviour that surprises the owner.

====patterns associated with aggresssion====

====Discerning patterns associated with aggression====

Aggression is often labelled as ‘unpredictable’ when this is rarely the case. Usually there is a discernable pattern to the cat’s behaviour:

Signs that a cat is becoming likely to react aggressively:

*Any warnings the cat gives (eye contact, posture, growling, hissing)

* Avoidant behaviour and freezing

*Any avoidant behaviour the cat carries out, including freezing

* Signs of increased arousal: pupillary dilation, increased respiratory rate (including panting), trembling, agitation.

* Defensive signals: Flattened or rotated ears, low body posture, body rigidity, growling, hissing, spitting, tail thrashing, rolling onto back.<br>

Owners should be taught to identify the above signs and react appropriately (stop handling the cat, move away and avoid eye contact).<br><br>

 

*Timing (certain times of day)

*Timing (certain times of day)

*Relationship to events or activities (territorial trigger, arrival of a visitor, play, grooming, feeding, owner departure from the house, etc.)

*Relationship to events or activities (territorial trigger, arrival of a visitor, play, grooming, feeding, owner departure from the house, etc.)