Feline Behavioural Problems

Transcription

1 Feline Behavioural Problems Francesca Riccomini BSc(Hons). BVetMed. CCAB. MRCVS. DAS(CABC). Introduction Stress contributes to many of the behaviour problems that cats develop. Its prevention is therefore essential and depends upon: Understanding cats generally & individually Knowing what can & commonly does stress them Doing as much as we can to avoid these conditions arising. This is an area where the veterinary team has an important role to play by for example: Influencing individual clients Influencing breeders Helping rescue societies Not making mistakes ourselves! Common sources of feline stress Inappropriate choice of pet(s) for example; Poorly socialised cats or those not habituated to the domestic environment Challenging, reactive, emotional breeds e.g. Burmese, Bengals especially if owners are rarely home Young cats when routines and environment are un-stimulating especially if there are already older cats in the home Needy owners not all cats are lap/cuddle cats Multicat groups especially unrelated adults Indoor-only life style High feline population Lack of understanding of species needs Failure to provide for individual sensitivities and needs Failure to identify behaviour problems associated with fear, anxiety & frustration including e.g. if cats roam away from home blaming other people for tempting them rather than looking at what they are trying to get away from 1

2 Poor understanding of feline communication Especially it s purpose and subtlety Misreading signs e.g. continuing to pet an aroused cat can lead to relationship compromise Overlooking low grade intimidation/control of con-specifics staring, body blocking Acceptance of aggression as normal and inconsequential Unrealistic expectations Cats expected to fit in with owners complicated and/or changing lives including: Relocation Household composition Timetables Home layout, design etc plus presence during building work Failure of management Poor introduction procedures to a new home and/or other individuals Routine husbandry inadequate/inappropriate Failure to provide for unusual events etc. Inconsistent house rules Use of punishment e.g. aversive/deterrent methods; water pistols Poor environment in feline terms Inadequate dedicated resources cats are often expected to share owners own beds etc Poor design of cats equipment Poorly located e.g. litter tray near feeding bowls, litter tray in busy exposed areas Lack of stimulation especially stressful for bright, reactive, healthy, young cats Particular current issues Multicat households these can work well if cats are chosen carefully (sibling pairs are the best choice). Unfortunately multicat households often comprise a number of unrelated animals brought together as adults and forced by uninformed management practices to share (often inadequate) facilities that are located in a single place. Multicat homes often comprise a number of different feline social groups, each of which requires its own core area, with duplicated sets of facilities that cater to the preferences of all the individual cats. In addition, people need to 2

3 modify their expectations and the style of interaction they use to suit each of the cats in question. Common problems with multicat homes Unrealistic expectations one big happy family Unrelated cats rarely one feline social group but invariably: - Shared, often inadequate resources - Inappropriately located - Communal areas bare and intimidating - Misunderstanding of bullying and/or aggressive cats, especially where competition for space and/or resources Multicat groups require: - Accurate analysis of relationships - Recognition of number of social groups - Location of core areas - Dedicated facilities in each plus separate outdoor entrances/exits if possible - Changed management to reduce social tensions - Changed interactional styles to reduce inadvertent pressure from humans Indoor only lifestyle few owners are aware of the effort and time required to provide adequately for cats that are forced to lead such lives and have little or no choice over what happens to them. Common problems with indoor only situations - Failure to provide satisfactory feline environment and/or management regimes suitable to each individual cat - Inappropriate use of outdoor runs - Inappropriate use of harnesses and leads - Failure to recognise effects on resident cats of sight, sounds and scents of other felines. High external feline population Failure to protect resident cats (including indoor only) from the effects of feline intruders Increased population of elderly and special needs cats owners of such cats do not always understand the need to provide specialized facilities and/or to adapt equipment. Neither are they always aware of the emotional effects of other younger pets in the household or vicinity for instance. 3

4 Potential stressors Owners are often unaware of the emotional effects of disruption upon their cats and fail to properly plan for and manage their cats in the face of potential stressors. - Visitors - Owner absences temporary or permanent - Loss of other pets - Builders - Fireworks - Veterinary visits Complicating issues There are a number of issues that complicate feline problematic behaviour. These include the following: Initiating factors may not maintain the problem behaviour (p.b.) Several different issues can need addressing to resolve a single behaviour problem Different people may have differing perceptions of the same situation Owner reactions e.g. punishment followed by intrusive reassurance can be especially stressful as owners are completely unpredictable from the cat s point of view Some behaviour problems are medical in origin or have a medical component Identifying stress This can be more difficult than many people realise. Arousal This is relatively easy to identify if we know what to look for but people still makes mistakes. We use: Body language: muscle tension, whisker & ear position tail movement & position dilating pupils pawing swatting Vocalisation: meowing 4

5 yowling hissing spitting snarling etc But indicators can also include: Damage/destruction e.g. related to attempts to get up high &/or hide Furniture scratching marking behaviour often increases in stressed cats However, a major problem is we invariably rely upon animal guardians to identify stress & stress-related problem and even the stress underlying an active response may be overlooked or misinterpreted while passive responders are a major cause of concern, because many cats just seem Quiet Shy hide a lot Lazy don t move about the home Like their own company Like to be out and about/tend to roam If this is a change in behaviour they are more likely to be identified but if they are new to their owners and/or circumstances their stress may go unrecognised Some cats may develop medical &/or behaviour problems but even then the signs might not be obvious for example: Over groomers psychogenic alopecia may not be correctly identified or its significance understood Comfort eaters stress needs to be considered when giving weight reduction advice we also need to be aware that frustration around food can lead to aggression! Feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) stress, particularly social stress, is a known flare factor N.B. cat that over groom the ventral abdomen may be responding to low grade bladder pain? Immune suppression can be associated with depressed emotional state &/or chronic conditions that flare up intermittently. 5

6 What behaviour problems do we see? Fear & anxiety conditions these may be related to: People Other animals Environmental stressors e.g. noise Owners often overlook hyper-vigilance & cats running away early/quickly. Damage/destruction Pica (Compulsive disorder (CD)/repetitive behaviour) e.g. wool/fabric sucking/chewing: ingestion of other items electric cables, coffee table corners Other compulsive disorders e.g. psychogenic alopecia Self-mutilation e.g. attacking tails Feline hyperaesthesia rolling/rippling skin, twitchy cat syndrome Feline Oral Pain Syndrome (FOPS) House soiling inappropriate elimination indoor marking urinary spraying, middening Aggression (people &/or other pets) Approaching a behaviour problem The importance of good medical investigation It is obvious that before embarking upon any behavioural investigation a thorough medical workup is essential so that any contributing or concurrent disease can be ruled out, treated and/or adequately managed. Evidently failure to do so can not only undermine any behaviour programme no matter how pertinent but can also compromise the welfare of the pet concerned. It is particularly important to rule out and/or control pain. First aid advice This will depend upon the individual circumstances but may/should include the following: Owners to seek medical/veterinary advice if injuries sustained 6

7 Measures to protect humans and other pets Prevention of deterioration of the situation Possible measures Complete cessation of punishment and negative reactions to problem incidents Environmental measures designed to reduce communal tensions and take the pressure off the cat e.g. minimum handling, no attempts at reassurance, provide more refuges Prevent the cat having contact with the target(s) this may range from simply avoiding petting the animal to hospitalization or sending the cat to a cattery Pheromone therapy If necessary consider: Referral but it is essential to encourage realistic expectations Suggest owners keep a diary of events, what they do and how this affects the cat s behaviour. This aids diagnosis and by giving people something other than the cat to focus on can be a useful means of defusing communal tension. Video is also useful so long as request for owners to record what happens does not result in them deliberately behaving in a manner that stresses their pets and/or puts anyone at risk. Photographs of specific incidents and the environment before any advised changes are made is an additional tool that can be of assistance with diagnosis. Relinquishment and/or euthanasia The behavioural investigation This is aimed at making an accurate diagnosis i.e. identifying underlying motivation(s) It requires interest, enthusiasm, knowledge, time and suitable facilities (e.g. home visit vs. clinic appt. plus video) Most behaviour counsellors use a questionnaire filled in by the client(s) ahead or by the professional at the appointment A good history is essential the aim is to identify all contributing factors including: Household composition human and animal Individual personalities & life histories Physical & social conditions at onset Any owner identified inciting causes Changes since inception of problem especially styles of interaction Restriction of access to locations and people Increase/decrease of dedicated facilities 7

8 Is the behaviour observed how do people react? (e.g. negatively which is likely to lead to/increase stress, fear, anxiety; with reassurance which is likely to lead to/increase stress, fear, anxiety Additional problem behaviours associated with the affected pet &/or other cats (or dogs?) Examination of environment inside & out (even with indoor only cats) What s been tried what has worked really? N.B. It is unwise to rely upon owner interpretation of: Stressors their type or magnitude Cats reactions particularly in multicat groups Problem incidents/events, especially aggression Treatment Having identified all underlying motivations & contributing factors it is usually essential to: Change owner perceptions affected cats need understanding Change owner expectations of their cats and themselves Modify management e.g. make use of routine activities eating, drinking, playing, grooming but make these appropriate to each individual cat Environmental enrichment **Pheromone therapy** **Neutraceuticals** **Psycho-active medication** N.B. those marked ** are adjuncts to behavioural therapy that is based on accurate diagnosis and includes: A behaviour modification programme (BMP) that is consistently applied (by everyone) and which is: Appropriate to the circumstances Practical Realistic feasible And addresses all the issues including dedicated measures to identify and treat other behaviour problems Is viewed as long-term resolution not cure 8

9 Includes identification of potential flare factors these must be anticipated & planned for to prevent recurrence of p.b. e.g. visitors, veterinary visits, holidays Owners should also be advised to keep a diary which helps to monitor progress/work out any failures of the BMP. The behaviour counsellor in the clinic or at outside referral Must: Have liking & respect for pets & people Be approachable, empathetic demeanour Have good observational skills Have sensitive handling techniques pets & clients Have the ability to educate, enthuse, empower, support owners Engender realistic expectations the likelihood is resolution not cure and that this will be a lifelong programme Others essentials for ensuring compliance are: Time Good communication skills The ability to: - change owner perceptions e.g. if necessary to enlist their support on behalf of the cat - devise a behaviour programme that s appropriate to clients circumstances and practical/realistic/achievable - provide on-going non-judgemental support In conclusion we can hopefully by working together: Provide good holistic healthcare & q.o.l. for all the cats we deal with Prevent &/or resolve problem behaviours Restore the owner-pet bond 9

10 Where this fails (if appropriate) help to re-home cats well (rescue organisations/private arrangements) However we can only do our best we have no magic wand so... we must always remember we are enablers, we are most definitely not magicians! Copyright F D Riccomini