Changes

==Investigation==

==Investigation==

[[Feline Aggression|Aggression]] is often seen when the person reciprocates the cat’s initial greeting or when the cat is approached. Until this point the cat may be showing [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Affiliative Behaviour|'''affiliative behaviour''']] such as '''slow blinking''' or '''tail up''', and will often show a relaxed body posture. The owner describes the cat’s behaviour as unpredictable and suggests that the cat suddenly enters a state of confusion or panic as the interaction proceeds. The cat appears to enjoy a brief amount of physical contact but then suddenly turns aggressive without warning, often grabbing the owner’s arm with its front legs and raking with the back ones. After the incident the cat will often move away and begin to exhibit displacement behaviour, such as grooming. This indicates that the cat is experiencing an amount of unresolved emotional conflict. The lack of predictability often relates to inadequate ability to correctly interpret changes in the cat’s body language as it is approached or handled, combined with the owner’s expectation that the cat ought to understand that the approach is intended to be friendly.  

A range of information is required for a proper investigation of the cause of aggression toward people, including:

*Information about the rearing circumstances and age of homing of the cat.

*History of the cats reaction to human interaction, including any changes that have been seen over time.

*Detailed description of events in which aggression has been observed (including context, triggering events/stimuli, the cat's behaviour and the owner's reaction).

*Full investigation of health problems, particularly those likely to cause pain.

*Assessment of the cat's physical and social environment (including resource availability and distribution, conflict with ether animals in the home).

A complication of this form of aggression is that a substantial proportion of the cats with this problem may be suffering from undiagnosed [[Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome|feline hyperaesthesia syndrome]]; displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome is therefore an important differential in cases where cats are showing unpredictable aggression in association with owner interaction and a multi-disciplinary approach involving dermatology and behavioural medicine should be encouraged. Other causes of pain should also be ruled out.

Owners often describe the cat’s behaviour as unpredictable ("Jekyll and Hide"). After an aggressive incident the cat will often run away away, exhibit displacement behaviour (such as a brief period of grooming), or perform a head or paw shake. Displacement behaviour indicates that the cat is experiencing an amount of unresolved emotional conflict. The lack of predictability often relates to the owner's inability to interpret changes in the cat’s body language as it is approached or handled, combined with the owner’s false expectation that the cat ought to understand that their approach is intended to be friendly.

 

Some cats with this form of aggression may be suffering from undiagnosed [[Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome|feline hyperaesthesia syndrome]]; displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome is therefore an important differential in cases where cats are showing aggression in association with owner interaction and a multi-disciplinary approach involving dermatology and behavioural medicine should be encouraged. Other causes of pain should also be ruled out.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==