Applied Cat Ethology Flashcards
Where are behavioural genetics gained from?
Paternal line
Why is the personality of kittens often less predictable than puppies?
Feral toms breeding with pet queens - behaviour determined genetically from the paternal line
What is the lifespan of a feral cat?
15 years
When are cats most active?
Nocturnal - evenings and mornings
What is the general food intake of a feral cat?
70% rodents
Are free living colonies necessarily feral?
No
What are the most important factors for territory?
Shelter and food
How do male and female territories differ?
Males ~3x size of female hunting ground, may incorporate
How do feline social groups form?
Grows inwardly, usually related females - no one joins
Until what age is fostering preferable to hand rearing?
3 days
What are the 4 cat “safety” behaviours?
- Get up high
- Keep still
- Hide
- Run away
If these behaviours are prevented
-> ATTACK!
-> Spraying
-> Middening (feaces)
What is the term for inappropriate defeacation?
Middening
Why are stressed cats often unreported by owner?
They don’t notice the problem - “cat sits up on the chair all day very calm etc.”
Why do cats not run as a fear response?
Provokes a chase
How may chronic stress manifest itself in cats?
Overgrooming
Stereotypies
Obesity
What are ideal sleeping arrangements for cats?
Multiple sleeping sites (ethnologically due to parasite control)
Why are cats often termed “fussy eaters”?
Prefer to eat small amounts - then are taught to be fussy because the food is changed too regularly. End up on a highly palatable diet -> obesity and guarding and overeating
How may food acquisition be altered in cats to prevent behaviour problems? When should this not be used?
Hide a prawn in an ice cube or rice paper, more hunting games resulting in feeding.
Only to be used in cases of BOREDOM not anxiety - may increase anxiety levels
How may reproductive behaviour elicit behavioural problems in cats?
Tomcats fighting
^ scent marking
Females - yowling, lordosis, writhing around and trying to mate with everything
Which kind of body positions denote stress?
Feet tucked under body, facing away but looking over shoulder, tail wrapped in under body
Which kind of body positions denote a relaxed cat?
Tail uncurled, lying on side
What are the 4 basic needs of any cat?
Safety (physical and pyschological)
Body Maintenance (scratch posts, litter trays, food)
Reproduction
Social Interaction or Avoidance
How should a distressed cat be treated?
Ignore it!! Do not go after it. More likely to want to be alone than want a cuddle
Why is cat/human interaction different than dog/human interaction?
Solitary animals means poor communication skills “close up”
Show very few appeasement/deferential signs
To encourage interactino DO NOT PET as soon as cat comes to investigate you, let them initiate interaction
Give more hiding places
