Changes

===Presentation of stimuli===

===Presentation of stimuli===

It absolutely vital that sounds or other stimuli must be presented systematically while the cat is relaxed, so that fear is never elicited. Otherwise, the cat may associate the context of its own [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]] with experiences of fear. This undermines the cat’s general security and could cause it to refuse to enter the home. It is also important to exclude children and other animals from the environment during training. This reduces any possibility that a cat may use aggression to regain access to an escape route, or learn negative associations with the presence of those individuals.

Stimuli must be presented systematically while the cat is relaxed, so that fear is never elicited. For each stimulus, the threshold of stimulus intensity to elicit fear should be identified, based on controllable stimulus characteristics such as loudness, proximity, size, movement, etc. The intensity threshold should be identified from historical information, rather than testing (which might cause distress). Then a means of reliably presenting the stimulus in an attenuated form must be identified. For example, sounds can be recorded and replayed at lower volume, and objects can be partially obscured or covered. Once a method of controlling the intensity of the stimulus has been found, then behavioural therapy using desensitisation and counterconditioning can be carried out. Inanimate stimuli are generally more amenable to desensitisation and counterconditioning than people or other animals.

The basis of treatment of fear of inanimate objects is to use desensitisation and counterconditioning to alter the emotional response to the stimulus. Training should be done in an environment where the cat feels safe. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F3 diffusers (Feliway)]]can help to accomplish this, in conjunction with environmental enrichment. The treatment may be augmented with pharmacological therapy if appropriate.

It is important not to exceed the threshold to elicit fear during training, as the cat may associate the training context with fearful experiences, and subsequently develop situational anxiety. This will undermine the cat’s security and could cause it to refuse to enter the certain rooms or the home. It is also important to exclude other animals and children from the environment during training, as their presence could increase arousal and stress, and their presence could interfere with the cat's ability to avoid or escape from a stressor.

===Desensitisation===

===Desensitisation===