Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Although often classified with other forms of aggression, [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|predatory behaviour]] is functionally and mechanistically different to aggression. Cats are highly adapted to carry out a specific pattern of hunting behaviour. They have a small stomach which is evolved to cope with a large number of small fresh meals each day, rather than a single large one. One very common misconception amongst cat owners is that hunting is a behaviour which is performed in order to satisfy hunger. In fact, these two aspects of feline behaviour are independent of one another. '''A hungry cat will engage larger prey and deliver a kill bite more rapidly, but a well-fed cat will still continue to hunt'''. In one study cats were found to break off from eating a bowl of food to catch and kill a live rat that was nearby, before returning to the food bowl<ref>Adamec, R.E. (1976) The interaction of hunger and preying in domestic cat (Felis catus). Behavioural Biology. 18: 263-272.</ref>. Hunting responses are triggered by stimuli such as sudden movements or shrill noises.

Cats rarely show offensive aggression toward people, as their primary response to threat is escape. However, aggression during play is very common. In one study 39% of cats showed some level of owner-directed aggression, with the commonest situations leading to aggression being stroking and play, each occurring in around 40% of cases<ref>Ramos, D., Mills, D.S. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: Owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11: 835-841.</ref>. Although often classified with other forms of aggression, [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|predatory behaviour]] is functionally and mechanistically different to aggression. Cats are highly adapted to carry out a specific pattern of hunting behaviour. They have a small stomach which is evolved to cope with a large number of small fresh meals each day, rather than a single large one. One very common misconception amongst cat owners is that hunting is a behaviour which is performed in order to satisfy hunger. In fact, these two aspects of feline behaviour are independent of one another. '''A hungry cat will engage larger prey and deliver a kill bite more rapidly, but a well-fed cat will still continue to hunt'''. In one study cats were found to break off from eating a bowl of food to catch and kill a live rat that was nearby, before returning to the food bowl<ref>Adamec, R.E. (1976) The interaction of hunger and preying in domestic cat (Felis catus). Behavioural Biology. 18: 263-272.</ref>. Hunting responses are triggered by stimuli such as sudden movements or shrill noises.

As a result, a cat that is denied the opportunity to engage in hunting real prey or appropriate toys may display predatory behaviour toward other rapidly moving objects such as human feet and hands. Human shrieks and squeals increase the cat's arousal and intensify the behaviour. The behavioural sequences involved in predation are practiced and perfected through object play so that in some texts the terms '''‘misdirected play’ or ‘play-related aggression’''' are used to describe a predatory form of behaviour that occurs in the absence of any genuine prey.

As a result, a cat that is denied the opportunity to engage in hunting real prey or appropriate toys may display predatory behaviour toward other rapidly moving objects such as human feet and hands. Human shrieks and squeals increase the cat's arousal and intensify the behaviour. The behavioural sequences involved in predation are practiced and perfected through object play, so that in some texts the terms '''‘misdirected play’ or ‘play-related aggression’''' are used to describe a predatory form of behaviour that occurs in the absence of any genuine prey.

It is important to be aware that bite intensity is under control of local reflexes involving mechanoreceptors around the mouth; once the cat is biting, movement by the "prey" will cause an automatic increase in bite pressure that the cat is unable to fully control. Sudden movements can therefore result in unintentional severe bites.  

It is important to be aware that bite intensity is under control of local reflexes involving mechanoreceptors around the mouth; once the cat is biting, movement by the "prey" will cause an automatic increase in bite pressure that the cat is unable to fully control. Sudden movements can therefore result in unintentional severe bites.