Changes

==Aggressive Sequence==

==Aggressive Sequence==

The feline aggressive sequence shares some similarities with other species; non-specific increases in body tension and threatening eye contact for example. In addition there is a range of feline aggressive displays which involve whole body and facial components. The cat may attempt to present itself as as an active threat by '''increasing its apparent stature''' (piloerection, sideways body arched posture), or it may attempt to reduce the threat it poses by '''flattening onto the ground''' and adopting a self-defensive posture. These whole body postures are a reliable indicator of the cat’s attitude to a situation but they are relatively static and do not indicate the moment-by-moment shift in the cat’s reaction. For this it is better to look at facial signals such as head and ear position, and other expressions involving the mouth and eyes <font color="red">(insert illustrations of facial expressions)</font>.

The feline aggressive sequence shares some similarities with other species; non-specific increases in body tension and threatening eye contact for example. In addition there is a range of feline aggressive displays which involve whole body and facial components. The cat may attempt to present itself as as an active threat by '''increasing its apparent stature''' (piloerection, sideways body arched posture), or it may attempt to reduce the threat it poses by '''flattening onto the ground''' and adopting a self-defensive posture. These whole body postures are a reliable indicator of the cat’s attitude to a situation but they are relatively static and do not indicate the moment-by-moment shift in the cat’s reaction. For this it is better to look at facial signals such as head and ear position, and other expressions involving the mouth and eyes.

One very important point is that the '''transition from a static defensive posture to an attack may be very sudden''' in cats. It is therefore very important to be able to read and appropriately respond to changes in facial signalling that indicate the cat’s increasing sense of vulnerability which may precede an aggressive outburst.

One very important point is that the '''transition from a static defensive posture to an attack may be very sudden''' in cats. It is therefore very important to be able to read and appropriately respond to changes in facial signalling that indicate the cat’s increasing sense of vulnerability which may precede an aggressive outburst.