Changes

Some cats will initiate interaction with their owners and then suddenly bite and attack after the person reciprocates contact. Immediately prior to the incident the cat appears to be enjoying physical interaction. There has been some debate as to the possible motivation for these sudden assaults. It has been suggested that the cat’s threshold for tolerance of handling is reduced either due to a '''lack of habituation as a kitten''' or as the result of an '''internal conflict between adult feline behavioural responses and the perpetuated juvenile responses of a domestic cat'''. Certainly the greeting behaviour of cats is at odds with that of their owners. Greetings between cats are often restricted to a ‘tail up’ approach accompanied with a trill or chirrup and blinking eye contact. Only in a minority of these encounters do cats actually make physical contact; in most cases they will simply sit close to each other for a period of time. Owners often misinterpret the initial feline greeting behaviour as an invitation for physical contact and it is possible that this is offensive or irritating to the cat, especially if it is picked up and carried by the owner against its will. Many owners will also attempt to sustain contact beyond the tolerance of the cat, holding onto it as it tries to get away. The combined effect of this inappropriate owner behaviour is that the cat may become wary of getting close to the owner, or allowing physical contact.

Some cats will initiate interaction with their owners and then suddenly bite and attack after the person reciprocates contact. Immediately prior to the incident the cat appears to be enjoying physical interaction. There has been some debate as to the possible motivation for these sudden assaults. It has been suggested that the cat’s threshold for tolerance of handling is reduced either due to a '''lack of habituation as a kitten''' or as the result of an '''internal conflict between adult feline behavioural responses and the perpetuated juvenile responses of a domestic cat'''. Certainly the greeting behaviour of cats is at odds with that of their owners. Greetings between cats are often restricted to a ‘tail up’ approach accompanied with a trill or chirrup and blinking eye contact. Only in a minority of these encounters do cats actually make physical contact; in most cases they will simply sit close to each other for a period of time. Owners often misinterpret the initial feline greeting behaviour as an invitation for physical contact and it is possible that this is offensive or irritating to the cat, especially if it is picked up and carried by the owner against its will. Many owners will also attempt to sustain contact beyond the tolerance of the cat, holding onto it as it tries to get away. The combined effect of this inappropriate owner behaviour is that the cat may become wary of getting close to the owner, or allowing physical contact.

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

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.

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.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==