1. Feline Behavior

2. American Association of Feline Practitioners
Industry
American Association of Feline Practitioners
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

3. 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).

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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 __________________.

7. 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 ____________.

8. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. Understanding Feline Personality

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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)

18. Tail Talk

19. Friendly Tails

20. Fearful Tails

21. Submissive Tail

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

23. 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

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

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

26. Facial Expressions

27. Aggression

28. Will you please help me?

29. Behavioral Problems Case Study
Inappropriate elimination
Notice tail shake

30. 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.

31. Behavior Problems Case Study
Aggression

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