Changes

Feline Aggression - Overview (view source)

Revision as of 18:56, 28 August 2014

647 bytes removed , 18:56, 28 August 2014

Line 8: Line 8:

==Introduction==

−

The nature of aggressive responses in cats is strongly related to their natural behavioural responses and to their [[Feline Social Behaviour|social]] and [[Feline Communication Behaviour|communication]] systems in the wild. The cat has a range of subtle body postures and facial expressions which can be used to diffuse tension and avoid physical conflict and, for a solitary hunter, this is important in order to prevent injury and consequent threat to the individual’s survival. In addition cats use a range of vocalisations to further increase the success of communication so that fighting is usually the ‘last resort’ defence strategy.

−

The cat’s primary defence strategy is to '''escape or avoid conflict'''. Cats do not possess a repertoire of appeasement behaviours to halt or modulate [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|intra-specific aggression]] so physical confrontation may result in serious injury to both parties. If escape is impossible, then cats will frequently freeze and deliver a range of threatening behaviours, including postural and vocal signals, designed to repel or hold the threat at bay. Meanwhile, the cat is re-evaluating its opportunities for an escape. Attacks may be sudden and brief, and again aimed at repelling the threat so as to re-open an opportunity for escape.

Jon Bowen

694

edits