Practical Feline Behaviour

Description:

Practical Feline Behaviour contains all the relevant information that a veterinary nurse or technician needs to understand and handle the behaviour and welfare of house cats, and to offer safe and practical advice to clients. There have been ground-breaking advances in our understanding of feline behaviour in recent years and, to protect the welfare of cats, it is increasingly important that anyone involved with their care, especially those in a professional capacity, keep up to date with these developments. This approachable and down-to-earth text describes the internal and external influences on feline behaviour; on communication, learning, social behaviour, the relationship between behaviour and disease, and the cat - human relationship. It also provides practical advice on how the welfare of cats in our care may be protected and how behaviour problems should be addressed and how to avoid them. In this book Trudi Atkinson draws on her extensive experience as a veterinary nurse and a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist to provide a rapid reference and an intensely practical feline behaviour resource for owners, breeders, veterinary professionals, shelter and cattery workers and anyone involved in the care of our feline companions. - Practical, down to earth guide detailing all aspects of feline behaviour - Rapid reference for instant access to information - Written by a well-known animal behaviourist who has extensive experience in treating feline behaviour problems and in advising clients to protect the welfare of their cats

Table of Contents:

PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING FELINE BEHAVIOUR

1. The Origin and Evolution of the Domestic Cat

The African Wildcat

Domestication

Historical Attitudes Towards Cats

The Modern-day Pet Cat

Current Attitudes Towards Cats and Keeping Cats as Pets

Feline Behaviour

2. The Senses

Sight

Hearing

Olfaction (Sense of Smell)

Touch

Balance

3. Feline Communication

Vocalizations

Visual Signalling

Tactile Communication

Olfactory Communication

4. Social, Feeding and Predatory Behaviour

Social Behaviour

Feeding Behaviour

Predatory Behaviour

5. Kitten to Cat – Reproduction and the Behavioural Development of Kittens

Reproductive Behaviour of Tomcats

Reproductive Behaviour of the Queen

Physical and Behavioural Development of Kittens

6. Health and Behaviour

Pain

Disease

Old Age

Stress

The Impact of Stress on Physical Health

The Impact of Stress on Mental and Emotional Health

Acute Stress – the Influence on Physiological Parameters

Assessing Stress

Observable Signs of Stress in Cats

7. Learning, Training and Behaviour

Why Train Cats?

Learning Theory

Habituation

Sensitization

Associative Learning

Factors Influencing Learning

PART TWO: PRACTICAL FELINE BEHAVIOUR

8. Advice for Breeders

The Responsibility of the Breeder in the Prevention of Behaviour Problems

Selection of Queen and Stud

Pregnancy

Parturition

Pre-weaning Period

Weaning

Early Experience

Maternal Aggression

Education of New Owners

9. Advice for Prospective Cat Owners

Is a Cat the Best Pet for You?

Making the Right Choice

The Importance of Early-life Influences

What to Look For and What to Avoid

Bringing your New Cat or Kitten Home

10. Advice for Cat Owners

Managing Feline Stress

Indoor Cat or Outdoor Access?

A Fenced-off Area

Cat Flaps

Neutering

Other Cats

Cats, Babies and Children

Cats and Dogs

Avoiding House-training Issues

Preventing Human-directed Aggression

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

11. Advice for Veterinary Professionals

a. Part 1 – The Cat in the Veterinary Clinic

The Journey to the Practice

The Waiting Room

Appointments

Greeting and Speaking to Clients

The Consultation Room

Handling and Examining

Hospitalization

b. Part 2 – Advising Clients: Prevention and Treatment of Feline Behaviour Problems

Talks

Nurse/Technician Behavioural Clinics

Handouts

Behavioural First Aid

Referral or Treat ‘In-house’

Who to Refer to?

Behavioural Pharmacology

Pheromonatherapy

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

The Placebo Effect

12. Advice for Other Cat Carers

General Advice for All

Advice for Shelters and Catteries

Foster Care

Adoption

Cat Sitters (Advice for Sitters and Owners)

Cat Cafés

An Alternative Idea

Appendices

1. Environmental Enrichment

Space

Hiding Areas

Food Foraging and Food Puzzles

2. Play

Social Play

Object Play

How to Tell if the Cat is Interested in Play

Ending the Game

Catnip

3. Reducing Resource Competition in a Multi-cat Household

Food

Water

Resting Places

Litter Trays

4. Neutering

Spay

Castration

Why Neuter?

When to Neuter

5. Introducing an Additional Cat to your Household

Points to Consider Before Getting Another Cat

Correct Introductions: Increasing the Chances that a New Cat and Resident Cat(s) will Accept Each Other

Keeping the Peace

6. Helping a Grieving Cat

Do Cats Grieve?

How Can We Help?

7. Introducing Cats and Dogs

If You Have a Dog and are Considering Getting a Cat

If You Have a Cat and are Considering Getting a Dog

Introducing a New Cat or Kitten into a Home with a Resident Dog

Introducing a Dog or Puppy into a Home with a Resident Cat

Using a Crate

8. Cat Flaps

Where to Fit a Cat Flap

Types of Cat Flap

Training Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

9. Teaching Your Cat to Come to You When You Call

10. Cats, Babies and Children

A New Baby

Cats and Children

11. House-training Your Cat or Kitten

Insufficient Number of Litter Trays

The Location of the Litter Trays

The Size and Shape of the Litter Tray

Covered vs Uncovered Litter Tray?

The ‘Wrong’ Type of Litter Substrate

Using an ‘Outdoor’ Toilet

House-training ‘Accidents’

If the Problem Persists

House-Training Problem or Scent-Marking?

12. Training Your Cat to Like the Cat Carrier

13. Medicating Your Cat

Mixing in Food

Physically Medicating the Cat

Applying a Spot-on Treatment

14. Teaching your Cat or Kitten to Accept Veterinary Examination

Examining the Mouth

Examining the Ears

Examining the Feet and Clipping the Nails

15. First Aid Advice for Common Feline Behaviour Problems

General Advice for all Problems

House Soiling

Aggression to People

Fighting in a Multi-cat Household

Furniture Scratching

16. Friend or Foe

Signs of a Friendly Relationship

Signs of a Bad Relationship

Signs of a ‘Tolerant’ Relationship

17. Approaching, Stroking and Picking Up

The Approach

Picking the Cat Up

18. Recognizing Stress

Physiological Signs of Stress

Behavioural Signs of Stress

Glossary

List of Useful Websites

Recommended Reading List

Index

Back Cover