Feline Behavior

IndustryAmerican 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

Industry

http://www.svbt.org/

StatisticsThe 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

Dogs78.2 Million owned 60% own one dog29% own two dogs$248/year

Cats86.4 Millionowned33% own one cat52% own two cats$219/year

Feline DevelopmentSimilar to dogs, kittens are born with ears and eyes closed.Ears open as early as 5 days, but no sound orientation until ~ 2 weeks of age.Eyes open ~ 7-10 days old.Vision develops slowly and is fully developed at 3-4 months.First 2 weeks of life = dragging via forelimbsAlso require queens stimulation to urinate and defecate.

Feline SocializationMOST important between 2-7 weeks of age.As little as 15 minutes per day = friendlier Friendly fathers = more likely to be friendly kittens! Mothers personality is not as well documented.If mother is fearful of humans, kittens will learn this behavior.Kittens learn play behavior as early as 3 weeks

Kitten Play BehaviorBegins as pawing at siblings ~3 weeks of ageSocial play increases ~4-11 weeks and includes more chasing and rolling.Solitary play also develops and includes pouncing on, or swatting at objects.*** It is INAPPROPRIATE 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 4-8 weeks when queen brings live prey back to nest. By 8 weeks kittens can kill and eat mice.

Feline Personality TypesPersonality of the feline is formed from a combination of experience and genetics.

Understanding Feline PersonalitySiamese & Oriental breeds

Persian & long hair breeds

Understanding Feline Personality

Feline Personality TypesFriendly-Trusting

Shy-fearful

Active-aggressive

Why do humans have cats?

Feline Hierarchy

Dominance Sharing

Communication

Tail Talk

Friendly Tails

Fearful Tails

Submissive Tail

Aggressive/Scared Tail

Tail MovementsIm Mad/AggressiveIm Scared

Body Posture

Facial ExpressionsANY 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 ProblemsCase Study

Inappropriate eliminationNotice tail shake

Behavior ProblemsCase StudyInappropriate scratching

Behavior ProblemsCase StudyAggression

Additional Feline IssuesReading in your CTVT book is VERY helpful!Introducing new cat pp 157-158Destructive behavior pp 158-159Inter-cat aggression pg 159-160Human aggression 160-161

*Promote SPECIALTY in animal behavior. This web-site has all the requirements and readings required to become a VTS. (Veterinary Technician Specialist - Behavior).*Society = anyone can belong to. NOT required to be a specialist in order to join. Students CAN join this society! ($25.00/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!

*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.*My theory is that people who are more out-going more likely to own dogs. Dogs need to be walked, go to parks, etcPeople who are more introverted more likely to have cats. Can stay in the home and not force uncomfortable interactions.*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. *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.*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)*Piloerected hair and ears directed away from head. Head is often lower than rear.*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.*Cat on far RIGHT is probably predatory or territorial, he is VERY LOW to the ground. Possibly skulking*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.*