Changes

*Assessment of the cat's physical and social environment (including resource availability and distribution, conflict with ether animals in the home).

*Assessment of the cat's physical and social environment (including resource availability and distribution, conflict with ether animals in the home).

Owners often describe the cat’s behaviour as unpredictable ("Jekyll and Hide"). After an aggressive incident the cat will often run away away, exhibit displacement behaviour (such as a brief period of grooming), or perform a head or paw shake. Displacement behaviour indicates that the cat is experiencing an amount of unresolved emotional conflict. The lack of predictability often relates to the owner's inability to interpret changes in the cat’s body language as it is approached or handled, combined with the owner’s false expectation that the cat ought to understand that their approach is intended to be friendly.  

Owners often describe the cat’s behaviour as unpredictable ("Jekyll and Hide"), but there is usually a clear relationship between certain types of owner-initiated interaction and an aggressive response from the cat. After an aggressive incident the cat will often run away away, exhibit displacement behaviour (such as a brief period of grooming), or perform a head or paw shake. Displacement behaviour indicates that the cat is experiencing an amount of unresolved emotional conflict. The lack of predictability often relates to the owner's inability to interpret changes in the cat’s body language as it is approached or handled, combined with the owner’s false expectation that the cat ought to understand that their approach is intended to be friendly.  

Some cats with this form of aggression may be suffering from undiagnosed [[Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome|feline hyperaesthesia syndrome]]; displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome is therefore an important differential in cases where cats are showing aggression in association with owner interaction and a multi-disciplinary approach involving dermatology and behavioural medicine should be encouraged. Other causes of pain should also be ruled out.

Some cats with this form of aggression may be suffering from undiagnosed [[Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome|feline hyperaesthesia syndrome]]; displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome is therefore an important differential in cases where cats are showing aggression in association with owner interaction and a multi-disciplinary approach involving dermatology and behavioural medicine should be encouraged. Other causes of pain should also be ruled out.