Feline Behavior

American Association of Feline Practitioners Industry American Association of Feline Practitioners Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) http://www.abvp.com/categories_feline.htm

Industry http://www.avbt.net/index.shtml Promote SPECIALTY in animal behavior. This web-site has all the requirements and readings required to become a VTS. (Veterinary Technician Specialist - Behavior). http://www.avbt.net/index.shtml

Industry http://www.svbt.org/ Society = anyone can belong to. NOT required to be a specialist in order to join. Students CAN join this society! ($25.00/year) http://www.svbt.org/

Statistics Dogs Cats 78.2 Million owned 60% own one dog 29% own two dogs $248/year Cats 86.4 Million 33% own one cat 52% own two cats $219/year Even though more cats are owned, people spend LESS money in veterinary care. Thus, more cats are left unaltered contributing to overpopulation! Also, cats WILL be your patients and deserve the same quality and compassion given to dogs! The Humane Society of the United States. (2011). U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. Retrieved March 8, 2012 from http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

Feline Development Similar to dogs, kittens are born with __________ and ___________closed. _________ open as early as 5 days, but no ______________________________ until ~ 2 weeks of age. _________ open ~ 7-10 days old. Vision develops slowly and is fully developed at ______ months. First 2 weeks of life = _____________ via forelimbs Also require queen’s stimulation to ___________ and __________________.

Feline Socialization MOST important between ______ weeks of age. As little as 15 minutes per day = _________________ Friendly ____________ = more likely to be friendly kittens! ____________ personality is not as well documented. If _____________ is fearful of humans, kittens will learn this behavior. Kittens learn play behavior as early as ____________.

Kitten Play Behavior Begins as pawing at siblings ~___________ of age Social play increases ~______________ and includes more __________ and __________. __________ play also develops and includes pouncing on, or swatting at objects. *** It is _________________________ to encourage kittens to play with or attack bare hands or other parts of your body! Kittens begin to learn to hunt and kill prey around __________________ when queen brings live prey back to nest. By _____________ kittens can kill and eat mice.

Feline Personality Types Personality of the feline is formed from a combination of ____________ and ______________. Studies have been done that show aggression is PRIMARILY linked to genetics. Animals CAN become aggressive through environmental factors, however, a naturally aggressive animal is rarely shown to become docile through environmental changes. Personality types help us to understand why certain breeds are more likely respond in a certain manner.

Understanding Feline Personality Siamese & Oriental breeds Persian & long hair breeds

Understanding Feline Personality

Feline Personality Types __________-__________ _______-_________ ________-____________

Why do human’s have cats? My theory is that people who are more out-going more likely to own dogs. Dogs need to be walked, go to parks, etc… People who are more introverted more likely to have cats. Can stay in the home and not force uncomfortable interactions.

Feline Hierarchy Free-roaming cats CAN live in large groups however, these groups are primarily related females that form a dominance hierarchy. There is a certain amount of aggression present. The more closely related the animals, the LESS aggression is noted between animals. Dominant MALES have territories but will only be allowed in when females are in heat. Other less-dominant animals will be chaced away.

Dominance Sharing Again, primarily females share dominance with males having territories and being more free-roaming. Typically males will only come into colonies when females are in heat.

Communication A relaxed cat will usually stand with its tail either down or high (but not bristled) and ears pointed forward. (MORE common to see up than down)

Tail Talk

Friendly Tails

Fearful Tails

Submissive Tail

Aggressive/Scared Tail Piloerected hair and ears directed away from head. Head is often lower than rear.

Tail Movements I’m Mad/Aggressive I’m Scared The more agitated a cat becomes, the more movement you will see in the tail. It will often start with just the tip, and become more and more swishy as they get more and more agitated. I’m Scared

Body Posture Cat on far RIGHT is probably predatory or territorial, he is VERY LOW to the ground. Possibly “skulking”

Facial Expressions ANY intense emotion such as excitement, fear, anger, pleasure, or agitation, can cause the pupils to dilate. (Kalstone, 2008)

Facial Expressions

Aggression

Will you please help me?

Behavioral Problems Case Study Inappropriate elimination Notice tail shake

Behavior Problems Case Study Inappropriate scratching Cats that scratch rugs/blankets are probably “HORIZONTAL” scratchers. Cats that go for table/chair legs or arms of furniture are probably “VERTICAL” scratchers. Have BOTH types of scratching surface available when you bring home a new cat/kitten.

Behavior Problems Case Study Aggression

Additional Feline Issues Reading in your CTVT book is VERY helpful! Introducing new cat – pp 157-158 Destructive behavior – pp 158-159 Inter-cat aggression – pg 159-160 Human aggression – 160-161 NOT optional reading. This is required and IS testable material!