Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Tolerance of human contact is learned as a '''result of early experience''' during the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive period]]. For example, without appropriate handling between two and seven weeks of age a cat may grow up to be wary of people and to have a predisposition towards defensively aggressive behaviour, especially if it is placed in a situation where it feels threatened. Early traumatic experience has been found to be associated with increased aggress in cats<ref name="Ramos"/>.  

Tolerance of human contact is learned as a '''result of early experience''' during the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive period]]. For example, without appropriate handling between two and seven weeks of age a cat may grow up to be wary of people and to have a predisposition towards defensively aggressive behaviour, especially if it is placed in a situation where it feels threatened. Early traumatic experience has been found to be associated with increased aggress in cats<ref name="Ramos"/>.  

In the absence of positive experience with people, cats will avoid contact with them. However, if this is not possible and the cat is forced to remain in contact with people that it is afraid of, [[Feline Aggression - Overview|defensive aggressive behaviour]] can become an effective strategy for maintaining distance from them. With repeated negative experience in which escape and avoidance are impossible, cats may shift from an avoidant strategy to offensive aggression. By the time some of these cases are brought to the attention of the veterinary practice or referred for specific professional advice the initial fearful motivation for the behaviour may be obscured by the cat’s overt hostility and offensive behaviour. Aggression toward unfamiliar people is comparatively uncommon in cats, with the majority being defensive in nature<ref name="Fatjo"/>.

In the absence of positive experience with people, cats will avoid contact with them. However, if this is not possible and the cat is forced to remain in contact with people that it is afraid of, [[Feline Aggression - Overview|defensive aggressive behaviour]] can become an effective strategy for maintaining distance from them. With repeated negative experience in which escape and avoidance are impossible, cats may shift from an avoidant strategy to offensive aggression. By the time some of these cases are brought to the attention of the veterinary practice or referred for specific professional advice the initial fearful motivation for the behaviour may be obscured by the cat’s overt hostility and offensive behaviour. Aggression toward unfamiliar people is comparatively uncommon in cats, with the majority being defensive in nature<ref name="Fatjo"/>.