Changes

There may be many reasons for this difference. Firstly, many cat owners may be unaware of the welfare and safety risks associated with aggression problems. Secondly, the owners of aggressive cats have the option to exclude these animals from the domestic home so that they become ‘outdoor’ cats. Thirdly, and most importantly, many cat owners may not be aware that anything can be done to help the situation and therefore do not seek help. Such obstacles to seeking advice place an additional demand on the veterinary practice to ask questions about feline behavioural problems during routine consultations rather than to expect clients to raise the subject themselves.

There may be many reasons for this difference. Firstly, many cat owners may be unaware of the welfare and safety risks associated with aggression problems. Secondly, the owners of aggressive cats have the option to exclude these animals from the domestic home so that they become ‘outdoor’ cats. Thirdly, and most importantly, many cat owners may not be aware that anything can be done to help the situation and therefore do not seek help. Such obstacles to seeking advice place an additional demand on the veterinary practice to ask questions about feline behavioural problems during routine consultations rather than to expect clients to raise the subject themselves.

Feline aggression is also often regarded as less serious than canine aggression, and as a consequence cases may not be referred until they have become serious. Unfortunately such an approach is not only detrimental to prognosis but also increases the risk of injury, so it is important for owners to understand how serious the consequences of feline aggression can be. Physical injury to people or animals and zoonotic infections are a very real danger since the cat is equipped with weapons in the form of claws and teeth. When [[Feline Aggression Towards People|feline aggression is targeted toward people]], the danger it poses should never be underestimated. When the victims are children or elderly people with frail skin it is important to emphasise to owners that the potential injuries from cats are serious. The rate of bacterial contamination in cat bites is several times that in the dog, because bite punctures tend to be deep and a majority of cats harbour [[:Category:Pasteurella and Mannheimia species|''Pasteurella multocida'']] and other pathogens in their mouths. Only 25% of dog bites contain ''Pasteurella multocida'', compared to 50-74% of cat bites. Other bacteria may also be present, including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''. This means that all cat bites that cause skin penetration or bleeding should be treated medically without delay. A course of antibiotics and anti-tetanus may be required.  

Feline aggression is also often regarded as less serious than canine aggression, and as a consequence cases may not be referred until they have become serious. Unfortunately such an approach is not only detrimental to prognosis but also increases the risk of injury, so it is important for owners to understand how serious the consequences of feline aggression can be. Physical injury to people or animals and zoonotic infections are a very real danger since the cat is equipped with weapons in the form of claws and teeth. When [[Feline Aggression Towards People|feline aggression is targeted toward people]], the danger it poses should never be underestimated. When the victims are children or elderly people with frail skin it is important to emphasise to owners that the potential injuries from cats are serious. The rate of bacterial contamination in cat bites is several times that in the dog, because bite punctures tend to be deep and a majority of cats harbour [[:Category:Pasteurella and Mannheimia species|''Pasteurella multocida'']] and other pathogens in their mouths. Only 25% of dog bites contain ''Pasteurella multocida'', compared to 50-74% of cat bites. Other bacteria may also be present, including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''. This means that all cat bites that cause skin penetration or bleeding should be treated medically without delay. A course of antibiotics and anti-tetanus may be required.

==References==

==References==