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Feline Aggression Towards Other Cats in the Same Household (view source)
Revision as of 09:20, 9 September 2014
, 09:20, 9 September 2014→Investigation
As with [[Feline Housesoiling|house-soiling and spraying problems]], it is important to fully understand the nature of the [[Feline Social Behaviour|cat’s relationships with each other]] and the way that they make use of their territory in and around the home.
As with [[Feline Housesoiling|house-soiling and spraying problems]], it is important to fully understand the nature of the [[Feline Social Behaviour|cat’s relationships with each other]] and the way that they make use of their territory in and around the home.
Several types of information are required for an investigation:
*A [[Housesoiling - Cat#Using a House Plan|plan drawing of the home and garden]] indicating the location of feeding places, [[Cat Latrines|latrines]], resting places and any other resources the cats make use of. This drawing should also include information about places that each cat prefers to use (resting places etc) and any locations of spray marks or inappropriate elimination.
*The personality, experience and health state of individual cats.
*The relationship between the cats can be determined by looking at the pattern of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Allogrooming and allorubbing|allorubbing, allogrooming and other affiliative behaviours]] such as tail-up greetings between individual cats. It is often found that small [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions or cliques]] exist within the whole group, with some cats remaining peripheral to the social group. There may also be ‘super-social’ individuals who show affiliative behaviour towards and are accepted by members of all of the factions. These cats may be instrumental in preventing outbreaks of aggression between factions.
*Interactions between cats within the household.
*Observation of passive aggressive behaviours between the cats, chasing, resource guarding and other similar behaviours that indicate social conflict between factions or group members.
*The physical environment available to the cats (inside and outside the home).
*The population of cats in the neighbourhood (as a potential source of stress and conflict)
Individual cats:
*Behaviour and origin of parents, if known.
*Rearing conditions and experience during sensitive period.
*Past history of living in multi-cat households (especially if rehomed).
*Process of introduction to the household (including age of the cats during introduction).
*Interaction with the other resident cats, prior to current problem.
*Medical history and physical examination.
Interactions between the cats in the household:
*The relationship between the cats can be determined by looking at the pattern of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Allogrooming and allorubbing|allorubbing, allogrooming and other affiliative behaviours]] such as tail-up greetings between individual cats.
*This can be recorded on a diagram indicating the type and direction of communication between individual cats.
*Observation of aggressive behaviours between the cats including chasing, resource guarding and other similar behaviours that indicate social conflict between factions or group members.
Physical environment:
*Assessment of the amount and distribution of resources.
*Availability of key resources (such as access to food).
*Opportunities to perform normal behaviour (including play and rest).
*Opportunities to perform avoidance and escape behaviour (to maintain distance from conflicting cats)
Neighbourhood cats:
*Signs that non-resident cats may have entered the home to steal food or conflict with resident cats.
*Evidence of local overpopulation, conflict with non-resident cats or the presence of intact male strays.
====Common Causes====
====Common Causes====