Lecture 5 - Social Behavior & Communication in Cats

Question 0

at what age does handling yield higher attachment scores?

Answer 0

weeks 2-6 and 3-7 wks

Question 1

when is the sensitive social period for cats?

when is play first seen? when does increase? when is it seen all in between pairs?

Answer 1

sensitive social period = 2-7 weeks

play - seen at week 3
increases = 4-11 wks
seen between pairs = 8 wks

Question 2

solitary

Answer 2

species in which individuals form no enduring relationships, living most of their lives in a solitary condition

Question 3

asocial

Answer 3

literally, not social - individuals do not engage in social interactions with each other

Question 4

social

Answer 4

a group of animals of the same species that are organized in a cooperative manner

Question 5

members of a social group exhibit what 3 types of behaviors?

Answer 5

1. individual recognition
2. cooperative behavior
3. reciprocal communication

Question 6

what forms of behavior are seen in cat social organization?

Answer 6

1. colonies
2. individual recognition
3. preferred associates

Question 7

what behaviors do preferred associates engage in?

Answer 7

allogroom, allorub, and are in physical contact more

Question 8

when is allorubbing commonly seen?

Answer 8

after returning from being away - possibly to exchange scent

Question 9

are cats matriarchal or patriarchal?

Answer 9

matriarchal - queens cooperatively rear young

Question 10

are cats monogamous or polygamous?

Answer 10

polygamous

Question 11

at what age do cats stop playing?

Answer 11

even adult cats play! including feral cats which must hunt to survive

Question 12

describe the 2 main behaviors of male cats

Answer 12

1. spend most of their time with one group

2. migrate from group to group seeking estrous queens

Question 13

describe a friendly-greeting

Answer 13

tail up, allo-rubbing is preceded by a tail-up approach and is most likely to occur when both cats approach tail up

Question 14

describe hunting in cats

Answer 14

• primary diet is small rodents
• 1 cat requires several small rodents a day
• also eats birds and lizards

Question 15

describe what a dominant/confident cat looks like

Answer 15

ears up and rotated lateral, fully upright, base of tail elevated, remainder of tail dropped, approach, growl, eye stare

Question 16

describe what a submissive/scared cat looks like

Answer 16

ears down/back, tail down, head down, crouched, avoidance, avoid eye contact

Question 17

describe what fear aggression looks like

Answer 17

arched back, ears back, tail arched or straight up, shows teeth, hisses, growls

ie. halloween cat!

Question 18

human directed feline aggression: play aggression

Answer 18

• often referred to as “vicious”
• serious injury may happen to victim even though its just play
• common in younger cats
• history of using hands or feet to play

Question 19

treatment of play aggression

Answer 19

avoid situations that elicit behavior, redirect play, provide DAILY opportunities of acceptable play, other cats to play with!

Question 20

human directed feline aggression: fear aggression

Answer 20

ears back, body lowered, tail lowered, avoids people, aggression occurs when approached

• history of poor socialization or feral living
• often results from unfortunate classical conditioning

Question 21

treatment of fear aggression

Answer 21

change relationship, densensitization, classical conditioning –> only good things happen when person is around

drug treatment: decrease anxiety and fear - all OFF label use

Question 22

what to do for off label drug use

Answer 22

get informed consent in writing: should provide explanation of what drug does and list of possible side effects

Question 23

petting intolerance and treatment

Answer 23

• happens in males and females
• cats primarily groom each other on head and neck

tx:

• pet only on head and neck,
• watch for cues: ears back, tail twitching, skin twitching, mydriasis
• stop before threshold
• buspirone (buspar) - used to facilitate positive interactions #1 side effect = cat more affectionate!

Question 24

redirected aggression and tx

Answer 24

access to primary target is denied so aggressive behavior is redirected onto another target

tx:

• deny access to windows
• detterents: catstop, scarecrow, garden ghost
• avoid interfering in situation that cause arousal
• facilitate positive interactions between cat and human

Question 25

what are drug treatments for redirected aggression

Answer 25

SSRIs, TCAs, partial serotonin agonists

Question 26

drug treatment for redirected aggression may be necessary based on:

Answer 26

1. cats arousal
2. owners attitude
3. primary cause

Question 27

human directed feline aggression: pain aggression
what is it
examples
treatment

Answer 27

1. associated with chronic conditions usually involving eyes or ears
2. examples: nail trims, grooming, arthritis, etc
3. tx: attempt to make medicating the affected area a positive thing, handle outside of treatment

Question 28

human directed feline aggression: maternal aggression

Answer 28

predictible, self-limiting, treat as necessary - desensitization and classical conditioning

Question 29

human directed feline aggression: sexual aggression treatment

Answer 29

punishment before cat mounts limb! redirect onto more appropriate behavior

medication may be necessary (never specified what kind)

Question 30

intraspecies aggression in the cat: early history

at what age does extensive social learning take place?

Answer 30

raising cat from 5-6 weeks onward with no contact with their own species can result in serious incompetence in social skills

extensive social learning occurs from 2 - 16 weeks and beyond

Question 31

what drug treatments are available for aggressive, confident cats?

Answer 31

SSRIs: fluoxetine (prozac and reconcile)
TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants): clomipramine (clomicalm, anafranil)
hormones: last resort

Question 32

drug treatments for aggressive/fearful cats

Answer 32

antianxiety meds: buspirone (Buspar) - increases self confidence

Question 33

feliway

Answer 33

synthetic analog of feline facial hormone. supposed to help with elimination/marking problems. helps to calm a cat in an unknown/stressful environment

Question 34

what is the limiting factor in resolution of aggressive cats?

Answer 34

fearful cats