Changes

Feline play often involves rehearsal of [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|predatory behaviour]], which is acceptable when directed at inanimate objects. However, other cats in the household can become [[Misdirected Feline Predatory Behaviour Towards People|mock-predatory targets]] for this type of play in the same ways as people.  

Feline play often involves rehearsal of [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|predatory behaviour]], which is acceptable when directed at inanimate objects. However, other cats in the household can become [[Misdirected Feline Predatory Behaviour Towards People|mock-predatory targets]] for this type of play in the same ways as people.  

   

   

Inter-cat aggression within the household is most likely to occur at certain key times, such as when a [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|new cat is being introduced to the household]]. This may be due to fear of the new cat or due to more general effects on the availability of resources such as resting places, owner attention or food. Another important high-risk event is when a cat that has been temporarily hospitalised or housed in a cattery returns home. Poor [[Feline Socialisation|socialisation]] of one or more of the cats in the home and the presence of social stress within the household are also factors that need to be considered.

Inter-cat aggression within the household is most likely to occur at certain key times, such as when a [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|new cat is being introduced to the household]]. This may be due to fear of the new cat or due to more general effects on the [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|availability of resources]] such as resting places, owner attention or food. Another important high-risk event is when a cat that has been temporarily hospitalised or housed in a cattery returns home. Poor [[Feline Socialisation|socialisation]] of one or more of the cats in the home and the presence of social stress within the household are also factors that need to be considered.

==Prevalence and risk factors==

==Prevalence and risk factors==

'''Physical environment:'''

'''Physical environment:'''

*Assessment of the amount and distribution of resources.

*Assessment of the amount and [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|distribution of resources]].

*Availability of key resources (such as access to food).

*Availability of key resources (such as access to food).

*Opportunities to perform normal behaviour (including play and rest).

*Opportunities to perform normal behaviour (including play and rest).

*Individual personality and behaviour.

*Individual personality and behaviour.

*The relationships between the cats.

*The relationships between the cats.

*The physical environment and resources.

*The [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|physical environment and resources]].

*Conflict and competition with neighbourhood cats.

*Conflict and competition with neighbourhood cats.

*The relationship with the owner.

*The relationship with the owner.

'''Relationship Between Cats in the Household:'''

'''Relationship Between Cats in the Household:'''

The basis for recognition in cats is group odour. This is created and maintained by allorubbing and allogrooming, which transfers and mixes scent between members of a group. When cats leave facial and flank marks they will deposit this group odour in the environment. Once a problem has become established, there may be little or no scent transfer between individuals or factions of cats within a household, so there may be no common group odour. These individuals and factions need to be given their own resources, so that there is less competition between them. In some cases a group odour did exist, but it is lost when people are not present to transfer odours between cats, or when a super-social individual within the cat group has gone. It can also occur when cats are reunited after a period of separation (such as when hospitalised or having gone missing). The use of [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat#F3|F3 diffusers]] can simulate the effect of dense [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial and flank marking]] within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them. F3 diffusers may be removed when the cats are freely associating without aggression and showing allogrooming and allorubbing between members of factions. A group odour can be deliberately created by the owner, by collecting and transferring scent between cats, in the same way as when [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|introducing a new cat to the household]]. In fact, in some cases, it is recommended that cats be separated completely for several weeks, before being reintroduced as if bringing in a new cat.

The basis for recognition in cats is group odour. This is created and maintained by allorubbing and allogrooming, which transfers and mixes scent between members of a group. When cats leave facial and flank marks they will deposit this group odour in the environment. Once a problem has become established, there may be little or no scent transfer between individuals or factions of cats within a household, so there may be no common group odour. These individuals and factions need to be given their own resources, so that there is less competition between them. In some cases a group odour did exist, but it is lost when people are not present to transfer odours between cats, or when a super-social individual within the cat group has gone. It can also occur when cats are reunited after a period of separation (such as when hospitalised or having gone missing). The use of [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat#F3|F3 diffusers]] can simulate the effect of dense [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial marking]] within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them. F3 diffusers may be removed when the cats are freely associating without aggression and showing allogrooming and allorubbing between members of factions. A group odour can be deliberately created by the owner, by collecting and transferring scent between cats, in the same way as when [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|introducing a new cat to the household]]. In fact, in some cases, it is recommended that cats be separated completely for several weeks, before being reintroduced as if bringing in a new cat. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat#F$|Synthetic F4 pheromone]] may also be helpful in this situation as it has been described to manage intercat conflict.  

'''Physical Environment:'''

'''[[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|Physical Environment]]:'''

Cats form social groups on areas where resources are in excess. These groups break up and suffer conflict when resources are insufficient. In a domestic setting cats gain such high quality shelter and food that they will remain resident when social conflict in any other situation would have forced them to leave. In addition, in urban areas outside population density may be high, and resources so apparently scarce, that resident cats have little choice but to remain where they are. Improving access to resources is key to reducing conflict and competition. This includes giving the cats multiple feeding sites, latrines and plenty of choice or resting, climbing and hiding places. Access to outdoor space through a secure cat flap reduces pressure on space within the home, and permits cats to engage in normal hunting and territory behaviours that are highly motivated. However, in some countries cats are not permitted to roam free. In these cases, a secure outdoor run may be a viable option, to increase available space. If factions or isolated individuals have been identified within the group, these should be specifically provided with dedicated resources that are are apart from other cats. By doing this, conflict is reduced and it is more likely that the cats can be formed into a single social group.

Cats form social groups on areas where resources are in excess. These groups break up and suffer conflict when resources are insufficient. In a domestic setting cats gain such high quality shelter and food that they will remain resident when social conflict in any other situation would have forced them to leave. In addition, in urban areas outside population density may be high, and resources so apparently scarce, that resident cats have little choice but to remain where they are. Improving access to resources is key to reducing conflict and competition. This includes giving the cats multiple feeding sites, latrines and plenty of choice or resting, climbing and hiding places. Access to outdoor space through a secure cat flap reduces pressure on space within the home, and permits cats to engage in normal hunting and territory behaviours that are highly motivated. However, in some countries cats are not permitted to roam free. In these cases, a secure outdoor run may be a viable option, to increase available space. If factions or isolated individuals have been identified within the group, these should be specifically provided with dedicated resources that are are apart from other cats. By doing this, conflict is reduced and it is more likely that the cats can be formed into a single social group.

*Avoiding introduction of adult cats that are nervous or do not have a history of living in a multi-cat household.

*Avoiding introduction of adult cats that are nervous or do not have a history of living in a multi-cat household.

It is common for a cat to lose group odour and pick up unfamiliar scents after a period at the veterinary clinic (for example, during dental work or neutering). These cats may not be recognised when they return to the home in a groggy condition after partial anaesthetic recovery, smelling different and behaving oddly. It is best to allow returning cats several hours in isolation to fully recover, clean themselves and pick up scent from commonly used bedding.

It is common for a cat to lose group odour and pick up unfamiliar scents after a period at the veterinary clinic (for example, during dental work or neutering). These cats may not be recognised when they return to the home in a groggy condition after partial anaesthetic recovery, smelling different and behaving oddly. It is best to allow returning cats several hours in isolation to fully recover, clean themselves and pick up scent from commonly used bedding. Installing an [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat#F3|F3 diffuser]] may also be beneficial before bringing the cat back home.

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{{Jon Bowen written

{{Jon Bowen written

|date=September 9, 2014

|date=September 9, 2014

}}

}}

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:Feline Aggression Towards Cats]]

[[Category:Feline Aggression Towards Cats]]