Changes

==Investigation==

==Investigation==

A range of information is required for a proper investigation of the cause of aggression toward people, including:

A range of information is required for a proper investigation of the cause of aggression towards people, including:

*Information about the rearing circumstances and age of homing of the cat.

*Information about the rearing circumstances and age of homing of the cat.

*History of the cats reaction to human interaction, including any changes that have been seen over time.

*History of the cats reaction to human interaction, including any changes that have been seen over time.

*Detailed description of events in which aggression has been observed (including context, triggering events/stimuli, the cat's behaviour and the owner's reaction).

*Detailed description of events in which aggression has been observed (including context, triggering events/stimuli, the cat's behaviour and the owner's reaction).

*Full investigation of health problems, particularly those likely to cause pain.

*Full investigation of health problems, particularly those likely to cause pain.

*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 other animals in the home).

It should be possible to identify a pattern in interaction associated with an aggressive reaction.

'''It should be possible to identify a pattern of interaction associated with an aggressive reaction.'''

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.  

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, 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]] (FHS); displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. FHS is therefore an important differential, or underlying factor, in cases where cats are showing aggression in association with owner interaction. Conditions such as pain ands FHS should be suspected in cases in which the cat's reaction appears very variable, or has changed dramatically over time (e.g. the cat has recently become intolerant of being touched, when previously it was tolerant).

Some cats with this form of aggression may be suffering from undiagnosed [[Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome|feline hyperaesthesia syndrome]] (FHS); displaying the classic signs of '''rippling skin''' and '''hypersensitivity to touch'''. FHS is therefore an important differential, or underlying factor, in cases where cats are showing aggression in association with owner interaction. Conditions such as pain and FHS should be suspected in cases in which the cat's reaction appears very variable, or has changed dramatically over time (e.g. the cat has recently become intolerant of being touched, when previously it was tolerant).

==Treatment==

==Treatment==