Changes

* Owner comforting of the cat or offering it security when it is fearful or anxious

* Owner comforting of the cat or offering it security when it is fearful or anxious

Owners are likely to be inconsistent in their responses to the cat, sometimes reinforcing attention seeking behaviour and at other times admonishing the cat for being a pest. This only serves to make the cat more anxious, especially if the owner is responsible for controlling access to resources such as outdoor access or food. Cats have a uniquely direct relationship with their environment, being able utilise resources on demand. They therefore find waiting for human intervention to be frustrating and stressful. Attachment problems in cats are therefore often accompanied by [[Frustration-Related Feline Aggression Towards People|frustration related aggression]] and protest [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine spraying]].  

Cats have a uniquely direct relationship with their environment, being able utilise resources as and when they need. In a domestic setting, outdoor access and resources such as food are often under the control of the owner, with the cat only having access by negotiating with the owner. This can be frustrating and stressful, since owners are unpredictable and may spend long times away from the home. Attachment problems in cats are therefore often accompanied by [[Frustration-Related Feline Aggression Towards People|frustration related aggression]] and stress-related [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine spraying]].  

Cats are also likely to show increased dependence on their owners if the presence of that person guarantees safety in an otherwise stressful environment. For example, the cat may be safe from attack by other cats in the household only when the owner is present, so that the cat cannot eat, drink or eliminate in safety when the owner is absent. A similar situation is seen in cats that are terrorised by local despots and refuse to enter the garden unless the owner is present. Specific underlying fear or anxiety problems must therefore be identified and addressed.

 

Cats are also likely to show increased dependence on their owners if the presence of that person guarantees safety in an otherwise stressful environment. For example, the cat may be safe from attack by other cats in the household only when the owner is present, so that the cat cannot eat, drink or eliminate in safety when the owner is absent. A similar situation is seen in cats that are terrorised by neighbourhood cats and refuse to go into the garden unless the owner is present. Specific underlying fear or anxiety problems must therefore be identified and addressed.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==