Changes

Facial and flank pheromones are used by cats to mark their core territory; an area in which cats do not expect to encounter hostility from conspecifics. Behavioural therapy involving controlled exposure is best performed in an environment where the cat already feels secure, such as within its core territory. The use of a synthetic analogue of F3 (Feliway) may enhance this core territory effect, to help provide a setting within which behavioural therapy can take place. However, studies have indicated that the "calming" effect of the synthetic pheromone does not necessarily increase tolerance of handling and other procedures<ref>Kronen, P.W.,, Ludders, J.W., Erb, H.N., Moon, P.F., Gleed, R.D., Koski, S. (2006) A synthetic fraction of feline facial pheromones calms but does not reduce struggling in cats before venous catheterization. ''Vet Anaesth Analg". 33(4):258-65</ref>, so behavioural therapy must still respect the tolerance limitations of the individual cat.

Facial and flank pheromones are used by cats to mark their core territory; an area in which cats do not expect to encounter hostility from conspecifics. Behavioural therapy involving controlled exposure is best performed in an environment where the cat already feels secure, such as within its core territory. The use of a synthetic analogue of F3 (Feliway) may enhance this core territory effect, to help provide a setting within which behavioural therapy can take place. However, studies have indicated that the "calming" effect of the synthetic pheromone does not necessarily increase tolerance of handling and other procedures<ref>Kronen, P.W.,, Ludders, J.W., Erb, H.N., Moon, P.F., Gleed, R.D., Koski, S. (2006) A synthetic fraction of feline facial pheromones calms but does not reduce struggling in cats before venous catheterization. ''Vet Anaesth Analg". 33(4):258-65</ref>, so behavioural therapy must still respect the tolerance limitations of the individual cat.

There is some evidence that a synthetic analogue of the F4 fraction of feline facial marking pheromone [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|(Felifriend)]] may improve tolerance of approach and handling by people when applied to them<ref>Mills, D.S., Dube, M.B., Zulch, H. (2012) Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour. Wiley-Blackwell.</ref>. However, it appears only to be effective when the cat has not already accumulated a number of aversive experiences involving the particular person and situation. These cats may experience dissonance between the visual stimulus associated with threat and danger, and the pheromone cue that signals familiarity. Pheromones like F4 should only be used in conjunction with sensitive handling and behavioural techniques<ref>Mills, D.S., Dube, M.B., Zulch, H. (2012) Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour. Wiley-Blackwell.</ref>.

There is some evidence that a synthetic analogue of the F4 fraction of feline facial marking pheromone [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|(Felifriend)]] may improve tolerance of approach and handling by people when applied to them<ref name="Mills">Mills, D.S., Dube, M.B., Zulch, H. (2012) Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour. Wiley-Blackwell.</ref>. However, it appears only to be effective when the cat has not already accumulated a number of aversive experiences involving the particular person and situation. These cats may experience dissonance between the visual stimulus associated with threat and danger, and the pheromone cue that signals familiarity. Pheromones like F4 should only be used in conjunction with sensitive handling and behavioural techniques<ref name="Mills" />.

The level of fear shown by a cat will vary with the type of person, their appearance and their actions. A detailed list should be made of theses features, so that a gradient of exposure can be created, with stimuli listed in order of the level of fear they elicit. For example, animals often find tall people wearing dark clothing, hats or hoods, and moving quickly or noisily the most threatening. Controlled exposure should start with people who dress and behave in the ways that the cat is most likely to accept. For example, starting with female volunteers wearing light coloured clothing and sitting down. Cats that show signs of fear when they hear unfamiliar voices can be desensitised to these noises using recordings or radio programmes.

The level of fear shown by a cat will vary with the type of person, their appearance and their actions. A detailed list should be made of theses features, so that a gradient of exposure can be created, with stimuli listed in order of the level of fear they elicit. For example, animals often find tall people wearing dark clothing, hats or hoods, and moving quickly or noisily the most threatening. Controlled exposure should start with people who dress and behave in the ways that the cat is most likely to accept. For example, starting with female volunteers wearing light coloured clothing and sitting down. Cats that show signs of fear when they hear unfamiliar voices can be desensitised to these noises using recordings or radio programmes.

[[Category:Feline Fear and Stress]]

[[Category:Feline Fear and Stress]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]