Social Behavior and Communication in Cats

Question 1

when is play first seen

Answer 1

first seen by week 3

increases 4-11 weeks, then decreases
by 8 weeks almost all play is between pairs

Question 2

solitary

Answer 2

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

not the case with cats

Question 3

a social

Answer 3

not social

do not engage in social interactions with each other

Question 4

social

Answer 4

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

exhibit:
individual recognition, cooperative behavior and reciprocal communication

Question 5

preferred associates

Answer 5

-allogroom more
-allorub more
are in physical contact more

Question 6

matriarchal

Answer 6

queens cooperatively rear young

communal nesting, midwifing, nursing, grooming, guarding

Question 7

allogrooming

Answer 7

often done in area that is difficult for cat being groomed to reach

Question 8

allorubbing

Answer 8

occurs more when cats return to colony after being gone awhile

may serve to exchange sent

usually preceded by tai up approach by at least one cat

Question 9

2 major strategies of males in colony

Answer 9

• spend most of time with a particular group
  - strong affiliative relationships with queens in group, defend kittens
• migrate from group to group, seeking estrous queens

Question 10

cat aggression directed at humans

Answer 10

play #1 in younger cats
fear
etc.

Question 11

medication for petting intolerance

Answer 11

buspirone

BuSpar

facilitates positive interactions

Question 12

medication for redirected aggression treatment

Answer 12

SSRIs
TCAs
Partial Serotonin Antagonists

Question 13

medication for sexual aggression

Answer 13

anti anxiety

hormone

Question 14

when does extensive social learning in cats occur

Answer 14

2-16 weeks

Question 15

serious incompetence in social skills occurs when you raise cats from what age?

Answer 15

5-6 weeks

Question 16

psychopharmacological treatment of aggressive confident cats

Answer 16

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
-fluoxetine (prozac, reconcile)
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
-clomipramine (clomicalm, anafranil)
hormones- only if serious efforts with safer meds/behavior modifications have not worked

Question 17

aggressive/fearful cats psychopharmacological treatment

Answer 17

antianxiety medication

• buspirone
• increases self confidence

Question 18

feliway

Answer 18

synthetic analogue of feline facial pheremone

-to calm cat

Question 19

sensitive period for cats

Answer 19

2-7 weeks