Behavioural Problems Cats Flashcards
problem behaviour
defined as a problem by the owner, vet, or by law, and any behaviour that has implications for the ongoing welfare of the animal or the owner
clinician 6 point plan
- meet and take history etc and dev a hyp
- test against differential diagnosis
- establish initiating and maintaining factors
- remove where poss
- arrange alternative acceptable behaviour
- remove artificial supports when possible
Inappropriate elimination (toileting)
eliminate waste territory marking faeces and urine reduce infection usually buried after deposition horizontal with surface pulled over top (scrape marks)
Spraying
advertise adverse presence at cat nose level faeces maddened vertical surfaces territorial boundaries and places under threat
need to
rule out medical problems
clues
location high or low vertical or horizontal core of edge of territory next to area of threat hidden scrape marks puddle or tiny deposit
Initiating factors
those which culminated in the onset of the problem
Maintaining factors
those that serve to perpetuate the behaviour
Other behavioural causes
separation if on bed prefer bigger litter boxes scented litter prefer deep litter plastic boxes retain scents liners arthritic to get up stairs/couch
Mills (2016)
67% of spraying cats had medical problems
McGlane et al (2018) rabbit maternal neonatal pheromone (2M2B)
reduced aggression in cats when spread on litter box
Mills et al (2018) potential risk factors
age
multi-cat household
free outside access and cat flaps in house
defeacation outside litter box
Mattos de Souza Dantas (2018) treatment
litter box management fulfill environmental needs stress reduction behaviour therapies trigger removal medical management
Mills et al (2011) effective treatments
pharmacotherapy (fluoxetine and clomipramine)
pheromoneatherapy
Ellis et al (2017) environmental enrichment in cats
spent more time in enriched area
liked hiding compartment
shelters could use
