Changes

Feline compulsive disorder is associated with a lack of ability to carry out [[Normal Feline Behaviour|normal behaviour]], combined with the social stress of perpetual competition and conflict. Improvement of the physical and [[Feline Social Behaviour|social environment]] is therefore critically important for cats with compulsive disorders. Even without a compulsive element, the cat is likely to increase the amount of self-maintenance behaviour it performs as a substitute for constrained opportunities to perform other behaviours such as hunting behaviour and territory maintenance.

Feline compulsive disorder is associated with a lack of ability to carry out [[Normal Feline Behaviour|normal behaviour]], combined with the social stress of perpetual competition and conflict. Improvement of the physical and [[Feline Social Behaviour|social environment]] is therefore critically important for cats with compulsive disorders. Even without a compulsive element, the cat is likely to increase the amount of self-maintenance behaviour it performs as a substitute for constrained opportunities to perform other behaviours such as hunting behaviour and territory maintenance.

In a domestic environment, cats experience a range of constraints on their behavioural needs, which can lead to stress and frustration that contribute to the expression of compulsive behaviour. Some are due to human lifestyle, such as being kept indoors because the apartment has no outdoor access. Others are due to misunderstanding of the cat's needs, such as meal feeding instead of ad-lib or activity feeding, or the introduction of a new cat in order to provide company for a single resident cat. Inappropriate feeding is a very common cause of problems; cats would normally eat 10-20 small meals each day when given free choice. When fed two meals a day, as is typical in many households, this is the equivalent of a person only being given food every 2nd or third day and results in prolonged periods of hunger for the cat. For the cat to live in an environment that places it in close proximity with potential competitors, inside or outside the home, and with limited control over access to resources and territory, can be highly stressful.  

In a domestic environment, cats experience a range of constraints on their behavioural needs, which can lead to stress and frustration that contribute to the expression of compulsive behaviour. Some are due to human lifestyle, such as being kept indoors because the apartment has no outdoor access. Others are due to misunderstanding of the cat's needs, such as meal feeding instead of ad-lib or activity feeding, or the introduction of a new cat in order to provide company for a single resident cat. Inappropriate feeding is a very common cause of problems; cats would normally eat 10-20 small meals each day when given free choice. When fed two meals a day, as is typical in many households, this is the equivalent of a person only being given food every second or third day and results in prolonged periods of hunger for the cat. For the cat to live in an environment that places it in close proximity with potential competitors, inside or outside the home, and with limited control over access to resources and territory, can be highly stressful.  

'''[[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|Environmental factors]] are therefore extraordinarily important in all [[Feline Problem Behaviour|feline behavioural problems]]''', especially compulsive disorders.  

'''[[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|Environmental factors]] are therefore extraordinarily important in all [[Feline Problem Behaviour|feline behavioural problems]]''', especially compulsive disorders.  

There are large individual differences in behaviour and personality between between cats, which result in variation in stress response to living conditions. For example, a cat with low sociability may have much more difficulty coping with the introduction of a new cat to the household, especially if the home does not provide sufficient resources and opportunities for the reside cat to maintain distance form the new arrival.

There are large individual differences in behaviour and personality between between cats, which result in variation in stress response to living conditions. For example, a cat with low sociability may have much more difficulty coping with the introduction of a new cat to the household, especially if the home does not provide sufficient resources and opportunities for the resident cat to maintain distance form the new arrival.

==Breed Predisposition==

==Breed Predisposition==

There is some anecdotal evidence of breed predisposition in the incidence of compulsive disorder, with Burmese, Siamese and other purebred oriental cats show higher rates of [[Feline Pica|wool-sucking]] and [[Feline Grooming Disorders|self-mutilation]]. This may reflect a genetic component to the disorder, but it must also be remembered that these cats are often reared and housed differently from non-pedigree cats. Concerns over disease transmission mean that they are often reared in a ‘non-domestic’ situation, such as a cattery. This limits the exposure these animals have to social interaction and common domestic stimuli and events, which would seem to predispose them to a range of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety problems]]. As adults, their financial value means that they are less likely to have outdoor access, which places even greater pressure on the cat if the indoor environment is unsuitable for them. There also appears to be a higher prevalence of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine marking]], [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|inter-cat aggression]] and [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment disorders]] in these breeds, which suggests that they may experience more stress from living in domestic environment that they typically experience. Whilst these cats may have some genetic predisposition towards a range of problems, their rearing and husbandry is probably a significant factor.

There is some anecdotal evidence of breed predisposition in the incidence of compulsive disorder, with Burmese, Siamese and other purebred oriental cats showing higher rates of [[Feline Pica|wool-sucking]] and [[Feline Grooming Disorders|self-mutilation]]. This may reflect a genetic component to the disorder, but it must also be remembered that these cats are often reared and housed differently from non-pedigree cats. Concerns over disease transmission mean that they are often reared in a ‘non-domestic’ situation, such as a cattery. This limits the exposure these animals have to social interaction and common domestic stimuli and events, which would seem to predispose them to a range of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety problems]]. As adults, their financial value means that they are less likely to have outdoor access, which places even greater pressure on the cat if the indoor environment is unsuitable for them. There also appears to be a higher prevalence of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine marking]], [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|inter-cat aggression]] and [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment disorders]] in these breeds, which suggests that they may experience more stress from living in domestic environment than they typically experience. Whilst these cats may have some genetic predisposition towards a range of problems, their rearing and husbandry is probably a significant factor.

==Investigation==

==Investigation==

A full history should be taken, including:

'''A full history should be taken, including:'''

*Information about the origin, rearing environment and experience of the cat

*Information about the origin, rearing environment and experience of the cat

*Age at onset

*Age at onset

*The cat's living conditions (physical and social environment)

*The cat's living conditions (physical and social environment)

Differentials include CNS lesions, epilepsy, specific conditions that could cause the same pattern of behaviour (e.g. specific causes of polyphagia, polydipsia or over grooming), conditions that alter mental function (e.g. thyroid dysfunction or cognitive dysfunction). Apart from differential diagnoses, contributory medical factors should also be considered, such as pain.

Differentials include CNS lesions, epilepsy, specific conditions that could cause the same pattern of behaviour (e.g. specific causes of polyphagia, polydipsia or over grooming), conditions that alter mental function (e.g. thyroid dysfunction or cognitive dysfunction). Apart from differential diagnoses, contributory medical factors should also be considered, such as pain.

==Treatment/Intervention==

==Treatment/Intervention==

'''Speedy intervention is important in the treatment of compulsive disorders'''. Compulsive behaviour becomes more pervasive over time as the animal ‘learns’ that performing compulsive behaviour provides reliable relief from negative emotional situations. Compulsive behaviour can ultimately become a substitute for a wide range of normal behaviour so that, even when presented with a substantially-improved environment, the cat continues to behave compulsively.  

'''Speedy intervention is important in the treatment of compulsive disorders'''. Compulsive behaviour becomes more pervasive over time as the animal ‘learns’ that performing compulsive behaviour provides reliable relief from negative emotional situations. Compulsive behaviour can ultimately become a substitute for a wide range of normal behaviour so that, even when presented with a substantially-improved environment, the cat continues to behave compulsively.  

Treatment typically involves:

'''Treatment typically involves:'''

*Environmental enrichment (in particular, restoring that cat's control over resource access and reducing sources of frustration).

*Environmental enrichment (in particular, restoring that cat's control over resource access and reducing sources of frustration).

*Identifying and treating specific emotional problems, such as fears and phobias.

*Identifying and treating specific emotional problems, such as fears and phobias.

*Medication to reduce compulsiveness (sometimes to reduce underlying emotional problems such as fear of anxiety).

*Medication to reduce compulsiveness (sometimes to reduce underlying emotional problems such as fear of anxiety).

'''The use of medication for these conditions is sometimes controversial''' because it may be regarded as merely reducing the incidence of unsightly behaviour that is an expression of the animal’s attempts to cope with wholly-unsatisfactory living conditions. However, the use of medication is absolutely justifiable if it enables the animal to engage in normal behaviour in an enriched environment. In this situation, the drug is being used to facilitate rehabilitation and restore normal motivation and decision making. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine, which are anxiolytic and anti-compulsive, are most useful where their use will enhance the animal’s response to environmental improvement.  

'''The use of medication for these conditions is sometimes controversial''' because it may be regarded as merely reducing the incidence of unsightly behaviour that is an expression of the animal’s attempts to cope with wholly-unsatisfactory living conditions. However, the use of medication is absolutely justifiable if it enables the animal to engage in normal behaviour in an enriched environment. In this situation, the drug is being used to facilitate rehabilitation and restore normal motivation and decision making. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, such as [[Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Clomipramine, Fluoxetine)|clomipramine and fluoxetine]], which are anxiolytic and anti-compulsive, are most useful where their use will enhance the animal’s response to environmental improvement.  

Where social stress between resident conspecifics is a factor, synthetic pheromones (e.g. Feliway) may be used to reduce tension, in addition to environmental enrichment.

Where social stress between resident conspecifics is a factor, synthetic [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|pheromones]] (e.g. Feliway) may be used to reduce tension, in addition to environmental enrichment.

'''Attempts to physically prevent compulsive behaviour or punish the animal, are inappropriate and ineffective'''. Compulsive behaviour forms part of the animal’s '''coping strategy''' so that preventing one expression of compulsion just forces the animal to find other opportunities. For example, using flavour or odour aversion to deter [[Feline Pica|pica]] related to one type of material, such as wool, will merely encourage the cat to find something else to suck or chew instead. The motivation to carry out some kind of related compulsive behaviour remains. Punishment may increase stress that contributes to the problem.

'''Attempts to physically prevent compulsive behaviour or punish the animal, are inappropriate and ineffective'''. Compulsive behaviour forms part of the animal’s '''coping strategy''' so that preventing one expression of compulsion just forces the animal to find other opportunities. For example, using flavour or odour aversion to deter [[Feline Pica|pica]] related to one type of material, such as wool, will merely encourage the cat to find something else to suck or chew instead. The motivation to carry out some kind of related compulsive behaviour remains. Punishment may increase stress that contributes to the problem.

*If establishing a multi-cat household, choose kittens from parents that already live in successful multi-cat households.

*If establishing a multi-cat household, choose kittens from parents that already live in successful multi-cat households.

 

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{{Jon Bowen written

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[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]