Changes

==Prevalence and Risk Factors==

==Prevalence and Risk Factors==

The prevalence of human directed aggression toward people has not been fully investigated. A number of surveys have been carried out, looking at referral populations, reports from veterinary surgeons and surveys of cat owners <ref name="Bradshaw>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref> <ref name="Fatjo">Fatjo, J., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Manteca, X. (2006) The epidemiology of behavioural problems in dogs and cats: a survey of veterinary practitioners. Animal Welfare. 15, 179-185</ref> <ref name="Amat">Amat, M., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Fatjo, J., Mariotti, V.M., van Wijk, S., Manteca, X. (2009) Potential risk factors associated with feline behaviour problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 121, 134-139.</ref> <ref name="Ramos">Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>.

Despite a number of surveys have been carried out, looking at referral populations, reports from veterinary surgeons and surveys of cat owners <ref name="Bradshaw>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref> <ref name="Fatjo">Fatjo, J., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Manteca, X. (2006) The epidemiology of behavioural problems in dogs and cats: a survey of veterinary practitioners. Animal Welfare. 15, 179-185</ref> <ref name="Amat">Amat, M., Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Fatjo, J., Mariotti, V.M., van Wijk, S., Manteca, X. (2009) Potential risk factors associated with feline behaviour problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 121, 134-139.</ref> <ref name="Ramos">Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>,there is no consensus on the prevalence of feline aggression problems.

In a Brazilian study the commonest situations that elicited aggression toward the owner were when the cat was petted or put onto a lap, during play, when startled, when observing an unfamiliar animal, when in the presence of unfamiliar people and when protecting food or territory<ref name="Ramos"/>. Aggression when petted or put on the lap was the most common. The authors found that aggression was associated with an early traumatic event and outside access. Cats that did not like being stroked or did not get on well with other animals that they had contact with were more likely to show aggression in general. However, a range of other factors, including age, sex, neuter status, accommodation, origin, and social contact with people and other cats were not significantly associated with increased aggression. However, the population of aggressive cats in this study was small (107 cats). A spanish study of 336 cats referred to a behavioural clinic found that 17.2% involved a complaint relating to aggression toward people<ref name="Amat"/>. 43.1% of human directed aggression involved play, and 39.6% involved petting, with a significant overlap. With respect to aggression toward unfamiliar people, 70% of cases involved defensive and only 30% offensive aggression.

In a Brazilian study the commonest situations that elicited aggression toward the owner were when the cat was petted or put onto a lap, during play, when startled, when observing an unfamiliar animal, when in the presence of unfamiliar people and when protecting food or territory<ref name="Ramos"/>. Aggression when petted or put on the lap was the most common. The authors found that aggression was associated with an early traumatic event and outside access. Cats that did not like being stroked or did not get on well with other animals that they had contact with were more likely to show aggression in general. However, a range of other factors, including age, sex, neuter status, accommodation, origin, and social contact with people and other cats were not significantly associated with increased aggression. However, the population of aggressive cats in this study was small (107 cats). A spanish study of 336 cats referred to a behavioural clinic found that 17.2% involved a complaint relating to aggression toward people<ref name="Amat"/>. 43.1% of human directed aggression involved play, and 39.6% involved petting, with a significant overlap. With respect to aggression toward unfamiliar people, 70% of cases involved defensive and only 30% offensive aggression.