Midterm 2 - Cat aggression, marking, scratching Flashcards
Is spraying a normal or abnormal behaviour in cats?
Normal
What does spraying in cats demonstrate?
Their presence, advertises sexual availability and maintains territorial boundaries
What are 4 reasons for spraying in cats?
- new threat perceived
- change in environment
- medical problem
- frustration with diet or owner (aka stressed)
Why might a cat continue to display house soiling even after the medical cause has been resolved?
An association for a particular area, texture, colour, etc has been made
What are 3 signs of litter box aversion?
- Shaking paws after touching litter
- Digging outside the box on the floor
- Running from the box after elimination
What are some common causes of litter box aversion?
- infrequent cleaning
- new litter material
- strong smell of a new plastic litter box
- too small
- covered box has a strong odour inside
- loud noise from automated litter box cleaners
- aversion to plastic liner for the box
- associates pain/trauma with litter box use
- doesn’t like the location
What are 4 ways to make the litter box more appealing?
- Deal with the identifiable aversive aspects
- Increase appeal and accessibility
- Discourage use of inappropriate areas or make them unavailable
- Use confinement to reinstate usage
Overall, what should be done to maintain the litter box?
Keep the litter box clean and dry. Wash regularly. But, also keep a residual “smell” of the litter box as a toileting area
What are the 6 guidelines in differentiating problem urination reflecting inappropriate urination from urine marking (spraying)?
- Posture
- IU: squatting
- S: standing - Amount of urine
- IU: emptying bladder
- S: small amounts - Litter box usage
- IU: stops using box
- S: continues using box - Target area
- IU: attractive horizontal substrate
- S: vertical - Precipitating factors
- IU: aversion to litter box
- S: agonistic inter-cat interactions - Inappropriate defecation
- IU: common
- S: usually not a problem
What are 2 potential causes for inappropriate elimination in cats?
- Litter box or outside toilet area aversion
- Attraction to inappropriate toilet areas
What are resolutions for inappropriate elimination in cats?
- litter box hygiene
- increase attractiveness of litter using preference experiment
- add litter boxes
- prepare appealing outside toilet area
- use enzymatic cleaner for soiled areas
- feed or water cat near inappropriate toileting areas
- use remote punishment for inappropriate area
- confine cat, then allow gradual access
What are 3 causes of urine marking and spraying?
- territorial or social disturbance: other cats, new house
- emotional disturbance: anxiety
- neighbourhood cats: breeding season, visual stimulation
What are resolutions to urine marking and spraying?
- neuter males
- litter box hygiene
- enzymatic cleaner on urine spots
- manage inter-cat interactions
- talk to vet about serotonergic drugs
What are 4 causes of petting aggression in cats?
- Medical and emotional reasons
- Static electricity
- Lack of socialization with each other and siblings
- Sensitivity threshold
What are 2 tips for petting aggression in cats?
- ensure your cat is healthy and his/her emotional needs are met
- know your cat’s petting preferences
