Cat Aggression, Marking, Scratching Flashcards
What does spraying do for cats
Demonstrate presence
Advertise sexual availability
Maintain territorial boundaries
Why would a cat spray
Threat is perceived
Change in environment
Medical issue
Frustration with diet
Can you stop spraying behaviour if it began before neutering
Hard, learned association is formed
Reasons a cat may not be using its litterbox
Pathophysiologic issue in urinary system (GI upset)
Arthritis
After medical reason for lack of litter box use is resolved, will the behaviour return to normal
Not always, association formed with area, texture, colour, scent
Signs of litter box aversion
Shaking paws after touching litter
Digging outside the box
Running away after elimination
Causes of litter box aversion
Infrequent cleaning/litter changing
New litter material
Strong smell of new plastic litter box
Litter box too small
Strong odour (ammonia)
Location of litter box (busy, close to food)
How would a person make a litter box more appealing for a cat
Fix aversive aspect
Increase appeal/accessibility
Discourage use of other place/make unavailable
Confinement
Find litter type/depth preferred
Keep clean/dry
Slide 8**
On exam, look at it
Causes of feline house soiling
Litter box aversion
How do we resolve feline house soiling
Increase attractiveness of litter box
Add additional litter boxes
Enzymatic cleaner in soiled areas
Feed/water near inappropriate areas
Confinement
Causes of urine marking/spraying
Territorial/social disturbance
Emotional disturbance
Neighbouring cats
How do we resolve urine marking/spraying
Castration
Litter box hygiene
Enzymatic cleaner
Manage inter-cat relationships
Petting aggression is caused by…
Medical reasons (arthritis, parasites)
Emotional reasons (stress, anxiety, frustration)
Static electricity
Lack of socialization
Cats have sensitivity thresholds, meaning?
Each can will tolerate different levels of touch
What are some signs of an over-stimulated cat
Flattens ears, flicks tail, low growl, ripples skin, stiffens body
How to “resolve” petting aggression
Try different ways of petting (short, small strokes, scratching favourite areas)
Pet in small increments
Increase petting threshold
What causes re-directed aggression
Arousal from aggressive encounter, playing
petted after arousal
How do we resolve re-directed aggression
Avoid interaction if aroused
Wait until cat is eating or grooming
What is play-related aggression
Playful stalking, pouncing, biting and scratching directed towards moving person by kitten or juvenile
Causes of play related aggression
Playful behaviour reflected
Enhanced by play deprivation
Resolution of play related aggression
Re-direct to appropriate objects
Avoid situations
Causes of fear-related aggression
Fear of strange people (not socialized to)
Reinforcement when repelled
When is fear related aggression displayed
Shown when strange people visit, owner in some situations, veterinarians, between cats
Signs of fearful cat
Crouched/halloween stance, flattened ears, dilated pupils
Resolution of fear-related aggression
Gradual desensitization
Counter condition (pair ppl with rewards)
Avoid reinforcing
Reasons why cats scratch
Remove dead outer layer of claw
Mark territory (visual/scent clues)
Work off energy
Flex feet/claws
How do we deal with scratching
Re-direct problem behaviour on to something more favourable using positive reinforcement
Causes of destructive scratching in cats
Territorial marking
Renew visual/chemical marks
Remove worn-out claws
How to resolve destructive scratching
Place scratching post in prominent place
Post with appropriate covering
Make scratched furniture unavailable
Remote punishment
Two forms of declawing
Surgical removal of claws and third phalanx
Surgical incision/removal of piece of deep digital flexor tendon
Can cats still climb when declawed
Can climb up the trees (back claws intact), difficulty getting down
Why isn’t it recommended to let your cat outside if it is declawed
Climbing difficulty
Weakened defense mechanisms
Does declawing change a cats behaviour
NO
