Changes

However, few properly constructed surveys of the prevalence of aggression in domestic cats have been carried out.  

However, few properly constructed surveys of the prevalence of aggression in domestic cats have been carried out.  

In a study by Ramos and Mills, looking at owner reports of aggression in cats in Brazil, human-directed aggression was seen in a number of situations, such as when stroking a cat or playing games with it <ref>Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>. The overall prevalence of aggress was 49.5%, which is much higher than previously observed. For example, in a previous UK study only 13% of cats were found to show aggression toward people <ref>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref>. This study found that 48% of cats showed aggression to other cats. In a Spanish study, which collected data from 451 veterinary practices, aggression towards people ranked 4th in frequency, and aggression toward other cats 5th. Inappropriate urination and defecation (which included spray marking) ranked first, with excessive scratching and vocalisation ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively<ref>Fatjo, J., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Manteca, X. (2006) The epidemiology of behavioural problems in dogs and cats: a survey of veterinary practitioners. Animal Welfare. 15, 179-185</ref>. In a retrospective survey of referrals to a specialist behavioural referral centre in Spain, the same group found that aggression was the most frequent reason for referral<ref>Amat, M., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Fatjo, J., Mariotti, V.M., van Wijk, S., Manteca, X. (2009) Potential risk factors associated with feline behaviour problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 121, 134-139.<ref>. Figures from the annual report (2003) of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) showed that 23% of referred feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|aggression towards other cats]], making it the second most commonly referred problem after [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]] (25% of cases). A further 13% of the reported feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression towards people]]. This data is taken from a referral population, and therefore does not reflect the actual prevalence of aggression.

In a study by Ramos and Mills, looking at owner reports of aggression in cats in Brazil, human-directed aggression was seen in a number of situations, such as when stroking a cat or playing games with it <ref>Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>. The overall prevalence of aggress was 49.5%, which is much higher than previously observed. For example, in a previous UK study only 13% of cats were found to show aggression toward people <ref>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref>. This study found that 48% of cats showed aggression to other cats. In a Spanish study, which collected data from 451 veterinary practices, aggression towards people ranked 4th in frequency, and aggression toward other cats 5th. Inappropriate urination and defecation (which included spray marking) ranked first, with excessive scratching and vocalisation ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively<ref>Fatjo, J., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Manteca, X. (2006) The epidemiology of behavioural problems in dogs and cats: a survey of veterinary practitioners. Animal Welfare. 15, 179-185</ref>. In a retrospective survey of referrals to a specialist behavioural referral centre in Spain, the same group found that aggression was the most frequent reason for referral<ref>Amat, M., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Fatjo, J., Mariotti, V.M., van Wijk, S., Manteca, X. (2009) Potential risk factors associated with feline behaviour problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 121, 134-139.</ref>. Figures from the annual report (2003) of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) showed that 23% of referred feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|aggression towards other cats]], making it the second most commonly referred problem after [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]] (25% of cases). A further 13% of the reported feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression towards people]]. This data is taken from a referral population, and therefore does not reflect the actual prevalence of aggression.

Due to differences in data collection and source between those studies which are available, it is difficult to evaluate the actual prevalence of feline aggression problems.

Due to differences in data collection and source between those studies which are available, it is difficult to evaluate the actual prevalence of feline aggression problems.