Recognising Feline Emotions - JFMS Article Flashcards
Why is identifying feline emotions important in veterinary practice?
Identifying emotions is crucial for successful treatment of problem behaviors and for optimizing feline welfare.
What is the challenge in assessing feline emotions based on behavior and body language?
Cats may switch between emotions quickly, or experience more than one emotion at a time, making it difficult to pinpoint which emotional system is active.
What are the four main categories of negative emotional systems in cats?
- Frustration (RAGE), 2. Pain, 3. Panic–grief (PANIC), 4. Fear–anxiety (FEAR).
How is pain categorized in relation to feline emotional systems?
Pain is related to the maintenance of body integrity, often linked to the Fear system and highly individualized in perception.
What are common behavioral responses to fear and anxiety in cats?
Behaviors like freezing, avoiding, hiding, or repulsion (aggression) are typical fear-anxiety responses.
What is an avoidance behavior seen in cats during fear or anxiety?
Freezing, where a cat remains still to avoid drawing attention, is a common avoidance behavior when a cat feels threatened.
What are repulsion behaviors and when do they occur?
Repulsion behaviors, such as hissing, growling, swiping, or biting, occur when the cat cannot avoid the perceived threat.
How does a frustrated cat typically behave?
Frustrated cats may display vocalizations, pacing, scratching, and may switch behaviors quickly in attempts to regain control or get what they want.
What vocal behavior is associated with frustration in cats?
Meowing intensifies in frustration, occurring in longer bouts, at louder volumes, or more frequently than usual.
How does context play a role in assessing feline emotions?
Understanding the context (stressors, environment, timing) helps determine which emotional system is activated during problem behaviors.
