Canine/Feline Behavior Flashcards
Define behavior
The way a person/animal acts in response to a particular environment/stimulus
What shapes behavior?
nature and nurture
Genetics, inherited behaviors and innate behaviors are associated with what behavior shaping?
nature
What is nurture?
interaction with environment resulting in learning
List the 2 concepts that shape behavior in-utero
- environmental
- maternal
Define genotype
Code that tells us what COULD happen
Phenotype is ___________
Exhibited behavior
What can influence phenotype?
- genetic, physical, maternal environment
- interactions with environment
What is canine domestication associated first?
Hunting
What digestion feature did canines developed when domesticated?
Capacity to efficiently digest starch
Social Behavior is the interactions among ?
members of same species
T/F dogs are wolves
False
The relationship that predicts priority to access multiple resources?
Dominance
List some Effects of Prenatal Stress
- Increase in fearfulness, reactivity, and anxiety
- Decrease in learning ability
When does socialization occur in post-natal development stages?
3 wks - 12/14 weeks
When does the auditory startle response start in the transitional period?
18 days
In the socialization period, list some developmental changes
- Sensory systems all functional
- play
- exploration
- teeth erupt
- weaning starts
When is social maturity for dogs?
18m to 2 yrs
When is sexual maturity for males?
7m
Which cats are most likely to present with problem behaviors?
Pedigree cats
T/F Feline Breeds can affect how learning occurs
True
What hormone is associated with irritability in cats?
Oxytocin
What determine personality types in cats?
Father
List 2 personality types in cats
- confident/inquisitive
- timid/nervous
What coat color increases cat aggression?
Agouti
The red coat color increases what in cat behavior?
Prey interest and fear-related aggression
If a cat is playful and attention seeking, what color may it be?
Lilac-colored
Which breed of cats are most likely to urine mark?
Bengals
Which ingredient in feline diets is needed that contains Amino acids and vitamins?
sulfur
Which ingredient in feline diets is the precursor to PGs?
Essential fatty acids
Cats should not remain anorexic for more than ___________.
24 hrs
Which behavior is dependent on mom in felines?
Hunting behavior
How many meals are normal in a feline?
10-20 small meals/day
The size of a cat group depends on what?
Resources
What is the term used for sexual behavior in cats?
Polygamous/polyandrous
Which sex has a larger territory in felines?
Toms
List the 3 normal elimination behaviors in cats
- squat urination
- defecation
- urine spraying
Why may cats choose eliminations sites?
- social interactions
- previous site use
- surface preference
- surface aversion
If a cat digs for less than 4s before eliminating, would that indicate abnormal or abnormal behavior?
Abnormal
What does a cat do to mark territory, sharpen their nails and stretch?
Scratch
When does social play peak in a cat?
3 months
What are some risks for bottle-fed kittens?
- develop nervousness
- aggression
- poor coping skills
What is the most common trigger after a traumatic event?
Noise
List the 2 emotional thresholds in cumulative stress
-trigger stacking
- size of threshold (may vary with genetics)
Define trigger
addition to the environment that causes animal to increase awareness/fear/reaction
List structures associated with HPA axis (slow response to sressors)
-HT
- Pituitary gland
- adrenal cortex
- cortisol
The SNS, adrenal medulla, and EPI/Norepi are associated with the _______ axis and the (slow/fast) response to the stressor
SAM; fast
Positive emotions in cats are:
engaging
Negative emotions are:
Protective
List some results from preventing a behavior
- social isolation
- basic needs not met
Frustration can be seen as:
- aggression
- leash reactivity
- overgrooming
Impulsivity can be caused by:
genetics, learning experiences, medical conditions, punishment based training
Non-Associatie learning is ___________ and ___________
habituation and sensitization
Operant and classical conditioning are associated with what type of learning?
Associative
What are the 4 contigencies that shape behavior?
- Positive reinforcement
- negative reinforcement
- positive punishment
- negative punishment
T/F training is a behavior modification
false
Define behavior modification
how we change emotional states and subsequent behaviors
Control refers to what ?
animal controlling its choices
Desensitization and counterconditioning is?
learning new associations
Desensitization and counterconditioning is training or behavior mod?
behavior modification
Flooding is:
exposure to fear inducing stimuli in intense and prolonged manner
