FM1 Pt1-8b Managing Problem Behaviours Flashcards
Why is it important for veterinary nurses to understand normal cat behavior?
Understanding normal behavior helps in the prevention, identification, and treatment of abnormal or stress-related behaviors in cats.
What are some common behavioral problems seen by cat behavior counselors?
Common problems include house soiling, urine spraying, cat-cat aggression, aggression to humans, anxiety, over-grooming, pica, excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, and over-eating.
What are some risk factors for the development of cat behavior problems?
Risk factors include multi-cat households, indoor-only living, high cat population areas, and pedigree breeds.
Why might pedigrees be more likely to develop behavior problems?
Pedigrees may have higher owner expectations, be more likely to be housed indoors, and are more often brought to the attention of behaviorists.
What is the purpose of a behavior questionnaire in a veterinary practice?
A behavior questionnaire helps gather necessary information to perform diagnostic tests, provide advice, or refer to a cat behavior specialist.
What are some key questions to ask during a general veterinary consultation about cat behavior?
Key questions include asking if the cat exhibits problem behavior, if they live in a multi-cat household, if there are many cats in the neighborhood, if the cat goes outside, and if it fights outside.
What are important questions to ask if a behavior problem is identified?
Important questions include when the problem started, if any environmental or social changes coincided with it, how often it occurs, how it has progressed, and what measures have been taken to resolve it.
Why is it important to understand the owner’s response to a cat’s problem behavior?
The owner’s response, such as punishment, shouting, or ignoring, can influence the progression and severity of the problem behavior.
