Changes

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

When introducing cats to unfamiliar dogs, it is important to allow the cat an escape route which allows it to get away from the dog without triggering a chase behaviour. High shelves or a baby-gate are ideal, because they allow the cat to get away but still remain in sight of the dog. Once dogs have learned how rewarding it is to chase a cat, it may be very difficult to get the animals to coexist without further stress. Critical to this is the cat’s initial response. Remembering that cats recognise familiarity through odour signals, it is sometimes very effective to use [[Pheromonotherapy|F4 (Felifriend)]] to mark the unfamiliar dog around the head and flank areas. To the cat, the dog appears to be marked as ‘familiar’, which may inhibit escape behaviour by the cat so that the dog’s desire to chase is not reinforced. Obviously, this is only safe when the dog has no history of harming or attempting to harm cats. It is also important to remember that cats that have already had experience of being chased or injured by dogs may be greatly confused by the dissonance between the visual recognition of threat combined with an odour cue that implies safe familiarity. This can induce [[Feline Fear Overview|panic]].  

When introducing cats to unfamiliar dogs, it is important to allow the cat an escape route which allows it to get away from the dog without triggering a chase behaviour. High shelves or a baby-gate are ideal, because they allow the cat to get away but still remain in sight of the dog. Once dogs have learned how rewarding it is to chase a cat, it may be very difficult to get the animals to coexist without further stress. Critical to this is the cat’s initial response. Remembering that cats recognise familiarity through odour signals, it is sometimes very effective to use [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F4 (Felifriend)]] to mark the unfamiliar dog around the head and flank areas. To the cat, the dog appears to be marked as ‘familiar’, which may inhibit escape behaviour by the cat so that the dog’s desire to chase is not reinforced. Obviously, this is only safe when the dog has no history of harming or attempting to harm cats. It is also important to remember that cats that have already had experience of being chased or injured by dogs may be greatly confused by the dissonance between the visual recognition of threat combined with an odour cue that implies safe familiarity. This can induce [[Feline Fear Overview|panic]].  

The cat should be allowed times when it is able to watch the dog and approach from a position of security. It needs to have food, water, resting places and [[Cat Latrines|latrines]] that are freely accessible without having to approach close to the dog. If the dog has any tendency to chase or approach the cat too boldly, it should be trained to sit and then be kept under control using a leash during initial encounters.

The cat should be allowed times when it is able to watch the dog and approach from a position of security. It needs to have food, water, resting places and [[Cat Latrines|latrines]] that are freely accessible without having to approach close to the dog. If the dog has any tendency to chase or approach the cat too boldly, it should be trained to sit and then be kept under control using a leash during initial encounters.

* Provide the cat with a number of easily accessible escape routes: baby-gates, high perches etc. These enable to the cat to avoid contact with the dog.

* Provide the cat with a number of easily accessible escape routes: baby-gates, high perches etc. These enable to the cat to avoid contact with the dog.

* The cat should have several locations where there is food, water and a latrine so that it at no time feels confined and vulnerable because it cannot access resources.

* The cat should have several locations where there is food, water and a latrine so that it at no time feels confined and vulnerable because it cannot access resources.

* [[Pheromonotherapy|Pheromone products]] such as F3 diffusers (Feliway) may be used to reduce overall anxiety or stress. F4 (Felifriend) applied to the dog’s head and flanks in order to convince the cat that the dog is familiar and non-threatening may be useful if the animals are meeting for the first time.

* [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|Pheromone products]] such as F3 diffusers (Feliway) may be used to reduce overall anxiety or stress. F4 (Felifriend) applied to the dog’s head and flanks in order to convince the cat that the dog is familiar and non-threatening may be useful if the animals are meeting for the first time.

* Manage introduction carefully.

* Manage introduction carefully.

* During all initial encounters the dog should be restrained. It should also be reliably trained to come to the owner and sit on command.

* During all initial encounters the dog should be restrained. It should also be reliably trained to come to the owner and sit on command.

Fear-related aggression to dogs or other animals outside the home is unlikely to be reported as a problem because the cat is able to avoid these situations and the owner may not even be aware that there is a problem. However, fear of other animals resident on the owner’s property is a common issue.

Fear-related aggression to dogs or other animals outside the home is unlikely to be reported as a problem because the cat is able to avoid these situations and the owner may not even be aware that there is a problem. However, fear of other animals resident on the owner’s property is a common issue.

The first step is to re-establish the cat’s [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|confidence in its environment]], especially if the animal it is fearful of is sharing the same dwelling. The cat should be allowed to explore, [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|face/flank mark]] and utilise resources in the area that it will share with the cohabiting dog whilst that animal is not present. This also allows a gradual desensitisation to the odours of the dog. If the cat is insecure in the environment, perhaps because of a series of previous encounters with the dog, then the use of [[Pheromonotherapy|F3 diffusers]] may help.  

The first step is to re-establish the cat’s [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|confidence in its environment]], especially if the animal it is fearful of is sharing the same dwelling. The cat should be allowed to explore, [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|face/flank mark]] and utilise resources in the area that it will share with the cohabiting dog whilst that animal is not present. This also allows a gradual desensitisation to the odours of the dog. If the cat is insecure in the environment, perhaps because of a series of previous encounters with the dog, then the use of [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F3 diffusers]] may help.  

Good indicators that the cat is relaxed and confident in the environment include:

Good indicators that the cat is relaxed and confident in the environment include: