Page 1014 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1006 PART 12 CAT WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

Differential diagnosis Distracters such as loud noises can be useful when the
owner sees the cat in pre-pounce mode. They should not be
Other types of aggression such as:
used as a punishment as that may redirect the aggression.
● Predatory behavior that is directed towards prey
(rodents, birds and although it may be undesirable is This can be a dangerous situation especially when the
normal behavior and should be differentiated from targets are children and the elderly as the cat can
predatory aggression when non-prey are the targets. inflict severe damage. Euthanasia or re-homing
It is instinctive behavior hence difficult to modify. may need to be considered as options.
The cat may not eat the prey item even if caught.
● Play aggression has many of the elements of Prognosis
predatory aggression but the context is different.
Good if the cat can be monitored and the behavior
It is also seen more in younger cats that are prac-
redirected or the cat confined to prevent access to prey.
ticing their hunting skills and it is more easily
redirected. Not good if the target is a helpless individual and the
● Status-related aggression should also be consid- cat cannot be monitored.
ered however, the silent stalk and pounce is not seen
with status related aggression. MATERNAL AGGRESSION

Cats may exhibit several types of aggression concurrently.
Classical signs
● The queen threatens when she, the kittens
Treatment
or the nesting are approached. She will
For aggression directed towards prey. attack if cornered.
● Avoid all potentially problematical situations. ● It may involve aggression directed towards
● Confine cat indoors or to a specific area to prevent the kittens.
predation.
● Confine cat outdoors in wire-mesh enclosures, runs
and tunnels. These are being sold as ‘modular cat Pathogenesis
parks’ which are modular enclosures that can be joined
This occurs in the periparturient period and may
together to provide extensive outdoor enclosures for
involve protecting the nest area as well as the kittens.
the cat.
● Supervise when outside. This is normal behavior if the approach distance is
● Provide appropriate toys for mental stimulation long or generalized. It is due to hormonal influences
and ability to hunt. Vary these on a daily basis. on the hypothalamus, and associated with the pres-
● Put several bells at intervals on the cat’s collar to ence and the proximity of the kittens.
provide warning to prey.
The queen may be aggressive in the presence of male
For aggression directed towards non-prey. cats and this may be related to the fact that free-ranging
● Avoid all potentially problematical situations. males have been reported to commit infanticide.
● Confine cat to a specific room or area to prevent
The behaviors seen may also be anxiety related and
access to victim, especially at times the cat is most
hence the neuropathology is the same.
likely to exhibit this behavior.
● Put several bells on the cat’s collar at varying
intervals so that the victim has warning signal of the Clinical signs
cat’s presence. This is not always successful but
Generally the queen will hiss and give other long-dis-
worth trying.
tance signals when she, the kittens or the nesting area is
● Redirect the pounce onto toys. When the aggres-
approached.
sion is directed towards people, toys dangled at the
end of a fishing rod, to keep the cat at a distance It usually involves more threats than actual attack and
from the person, can be helpful. usually is directed toward unfamiliar individuals.