Changes

==Classification==

==Classification==

The term "aggression" can be used to refer to a number of different behavioural responses, ranging from hissing and spitting to infliction of physical injury. '''Aggression should be considered to be a perfectly normal feature of the feline behavioural repertoire and the term ‘aggressive’ should not be used to define a cat’s personality'''. The natural feline predatory sequence contains "aggressive" elements and these are learnt and perfected through play. Social conflict may also be manifested in normal and appropriate "aggressive" displays, which are designed to diffuse tension and avoid physical confrontation. Within the context of problem behaviour it is therefore '''essential to determine the motivation''' for aggressive behaviour and to identify elements of [[Normal Feline Behaviour|normal feline behaviour]], such as [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|predation]], play or [[Feline Social Behaviour|social]] related aggression.

'''Aggression is a normal feature of the feline behavioural repertoire and the term ‘aggressive’ should not be used to define a cat’s personality'''; all cats have the capacity to display aggressive behaviour, dependent on circumstances. There have been various attempts to categorise forms of feline aggression, but without any common agreement. The most appropriate approach is to characterise the behaviour according to its objective, and emotional motivation, such as fear, anxiety, or frustration. Then to identify the targets of aggression (such as people or animals), including the specific details of high probability targets (such as age, or appearance). Aggression may be linked to context and triggering events or stimuli, which also need to be detailed in the history. By identifying motivation, target and eliciting circumstances it is not only possible to classify aggression but also make meaningful predictions about risk and prognosis.

 

There have been various schemes suggested for categorising feline aggression. The first question to consider is whether the aggression is normally motivated or not. Normal aggression is contextually appropriate and usually relatively well controlled and predictable so it carries a good prognosis as long as the cat’s behavioural needs can be met within the domestic environment. Abnormal aggression can result from physical illness or inappropriate learning.

 

The approach to categorisation used here will be to define aggression in terms of its immediate target, its motivation, its offensive or defensive or frustration-related nature and then to attach labels according to the circumstance or context of the aggression. It is always important to remember that every cat is an individual and every behavioural problem must be treated on that basis.

==History Taking==

==History Taking==