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Feline Aggression - Overview (view source)
Revision as of 18:43, 17 March 2014
, 18:43, 17 March 2014no edit summary
==Classification==
As with dogs, the term “aggression” can be used to refer to a number of different behavioural responses, ranging from hissing and spitting to infliction of physical injury. Aggression should be considered be a perfectly normal feature of the feline behavioural repertoire and the term ‘aggressive’ should not be used to define a cat’s personality. The natural feline predatory sequence contains “aggressive” elements and these are learnt and perfected through play. Social conflict may also be manifested in normal and appropriate “aggressive” displays, which are designed to diffuse tension and avoid physical confrontation. Within the context of problem behaviour it is therefore essential to determine the motivation for aggressive behaviour and to identify elements of normal feline behaviour, such as predation, play or social related aggression.
There have been various schemes suggested for categorising feline aggression. The first question to consider is whether the aggression is normally motivated or not. Normal aggression is contextually appropriate and usually relatively well controlled and predictable so it carries a good prognosis as long as the cat’s behavioural needs can be met within the domestic environment. Abnormal aggression can result from physical illness or inappropriate learning
The approach to categorisation used here will be to define aggression in terms of its immediate target, its motivation, its offensive or defensive or frustration-related nature and then to attach labels according to the circumstance or context of the aggression. It is always important to remember that every cat is an individual and every behavioural problem must be treated on that basis.
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
<font color="red">needs general introduction or a pointer to what is normal aggression and reciprocal links; not sure whether below is too UK based</font>
<font color="red">needs general introduction or a pointer to what is normal aggression and reciprocal links; not sure whether below is too UK based</font>
The nature of aggressive responses in cats is strongly related to their natural behavioural responses and to their social and communication systems in the wild. The cat has a range of subtle body postures and facial expressions which can be used to diffuse tension and avoid physical conflict and, for a solitary hunter, this is important in order to prevent injury and consequent threat to the individual’s survival. In addition cats use a range of vocalisations to further increase the success of communication so that fighting is usually the ‘last resort’ defence strategy.
The nature of aggressive responses in cats is strongly related to their natural behavioural responses and to their social and communication systems in the wild. The cat has a range of subtle body postures and facial expressions which can be used to diffuse tension and avoid physical conflict and, for a solitary hunter, this is important in order to prevent injury and consequent threat to the individual’s survival. In addition cats use a range of vocalisations to further increase the success of communication so that fighting is usually the ‘last resort’ defence strategy.
==Warning Signs of Aggression==
Important warning signs include:
*Tail twitching
*Flattening of the ears
*Stiffening of the shoulders and legs
*Dilatation of pupils
*Hissing and spitting
It is very important that clients do not attempt to soothe or calm the cat when it is showing this behaviour. Cats that are frozen in a self-defensive crouch are very close to launching an attack when provoked. They should look away from the cat and slowly move away.
==Aggression Towards People==
The most common motivational causes of aggression from cats to people include fear, anxiety, frustration and misdirection of predatory instinct. These produce offensive and defensive patterns of aggression. In some cases the human victim may not be the primary target for the aggressive behaviour and a diagnosis of redirected aggression may be made, but from a therapeutic point of view the motivational diagnosis, which is appropriate to the cat’s response to the primary target, will be all important in formulating a successful treatment plan.
==History Taking==
Inter-cat aggression presents a particular problem because many of the aggressive incidents are not directly observed by the owner or may be misinterpreted when they are. Observation of the cat during the consultation is important but house visits may be preferable and when they are not possible consultation observation is is best augmented with video footage of the cat’s normal behaviour in its own surroundings. It is not acceptable to stage aggressive events for the purpose of making a diagnosis since this involves a serious risk of injury.
====Important Aspects of History Taking====
*Historical description of aggressive incidents [starting with the first that the owner can remember]. Details of each incident should include location, persons/animals present, context, time, and target of the aggression.
*The cat’s body posture and facial expression before, during, and after each incident give strong indications of its emotional state and intent.
*The victim’s response before, during, and after each event should be recorded.
*Relationship between cat and other animals in the household [allorubbing, allogrooming, play, aggression, fear-avoidance].
*List of all situations in which low level aggression behaviour is seen [hissing, spitting, growling, eye contact, body posture].
*List of stimuli/events that elicit fear or anxiety.
==Immediate Intervention==
==Immediate Intervention==
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