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==Investigation==
 
==Investigation==
Common underlying factors include:
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'''Common underlying factors include:'''
 
*Illness or debilitation
 
*Illness or debilitation
 
*Social pressure due to excessive population density
 
*Social pressure due to excessive population density
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*Predatory or play-related behaviour
 
*Predatory or play-related behaviour
 
*Redirected aggression (frustration)
 
*Redirected aggression (frustration)
      
As with [[Feline Housesoiling|house-soiling and spraying problems]], it is important to fully understand the nature of the [[Feline Social Behaviour|cat’s relationships with each other]] and the way that they make use of their territory in and around the home.
 
As with [[Feline Housesoiling|house-soiling and spraying problems]], it is important to fully understand the nature of the [[Feline Social Behaviour|cat’s relationships with each other]] and the way that they make use of their territory in and around the home.
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Several types of information are required for an investigation:
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'''Several types of information are required for an investigation:'''
 
*The personality, experience and health state of individual cats.
 
*The personality, experience and health state of individual cats.
 
*Interactions between cats within the household.
 
*Interactions between cats within the household.
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*The population of cats in the neighbourhood (as a potential source of stress and conflict)
 
*The population of cats in the neighbourhood (as a potential source of stress and conflict)
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Individual cats:
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'''Individual cats:'''
 
*Behaviour and origin of parents, if known.
 
*Behaviour and origin of parents, if known.
 
*Rearing conditions and experience during sensitive period.
 
*Rearing conditions and experience during sensitive period.
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*Medical history and physical examination.
 
*Medical history and physical examination.
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Interactions between the cats in the household:
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'''Interactions between the cats in the household:'''
 
*The relationship between the cats can be determined by looking at the pattern of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Allogrooming and allorubbing|allorubbing, allogrooming and other affiliative behaviours]] such as tail-up greetings between individual cats.
 
*The relationship between the cats can be determined by looking at the pattern of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Allogrooming and allorubbing|allorubbing, allogrooming and other affiliative behaviours]] such as tail-up greetings between individual cats.
 
*This can be recorded on a diagram indicating the type and direction of communication between individual cats.
 
*This can be recorded on a diagram indicating the type and direction of communication between individual cats.
 
*Observation of aggressive behaviours between the cats including chasing, resource guarding and other similar behaviours that indicate social conflict between factions or group members.
 
*Observation of aggressive behaviours between the cats including chasing, resource guarding and other similar behaviours that indicate social conflict between factions or group members.
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Physical environment:
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'''Physical environment:'''
 
*Assessment of the amount and distribution of resources.
 
*Assessment of the amount and distribution of resources.
 
*Availability of key resources (such as access to food).
 
*Availability of key resources (such as access to food).
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*Opportunities to perform avoidance and escape behaviour (to maintain distance from conflicting cats)
 
*Opportunities to perform avoidance and escape behaviour (to maintain distance from conflicting cats)
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Neighbourhood cats:
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'''Neighbourhood cats:'''
 
*Signs that non-resident cats may have entered the home to steal food or conflict with resident cats.
 
*Signs that non-resident cats may have entered the home to steal food or conflict with resident cats.
 
*Evidence of local overpopulation, conflict with non-resident cats or the presence of intact male strays.
 
*Evidence of local overpopulation, conflict with non-resident cats or the presence of intact male strays.