Max's House
Behavior & Training

Behavior problems can be due to medical or behavioral causes, or both. A clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing will determine if there are underlying medical conditions contributing to the problem. Although there may be a single cause for a behavior problem it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning on the cat’s mental and physical health that determines behavior.

For example, the cat that is fearful of children, may begin to become more reactive, irritable, and aggressive as diseases such as dental problems or arthritis make it more uncomfortable, painful or less mobile.

Any change in the environment may contribute to the emergence of behavior problems. For example, schedule changes, a new member of the household (baby, spouse), moving, loss of a family member or pet, or the addition of a new pet can have a dramatic impact on behavior. Any medical or degenerative changes associated with aging may cause the cat to be even more sensitive to these environmental changes.

Learning (e.g. reinforcement, punishment) also plays a role in most behavior problems. When a cat’s actions result in unpleasant consequences (discomfort, lack of attention) i.e. punishment, the chances of repeating the behavior will decrease. If the behavior is followed by pleasant consequences such as obtaining food, attention, or affection (rewards), the behavior is likely to be repeated. These consequences could occur unintentionally as when the cat gets into the garbage and finds some appealing leftovers, or could be administered by the owners, as when a reward is given following a behavior. It can be difficult to determine what might be reinforcing a behavior, but reinforcement maintains behavior problems.

A good history is one of the most important means of determining the cause of a behavioral problem. This involves an in depth analysis of the cat’s medical and behavioral past including any training, as well as the circumstances surrounding the problem itself. Daily interactions with the cat and any changes in schedule need to be explored. Often the event that precipitated the behavioral change may be different from that which maintains it.

A decline in the cat’s hearing, sight or other senses, organ dysfunction (e.g. liver or kidney disease), hormonal diseases, diseases affecting the nervous system, diseases of the urinary tract (infections, tumors or stones), any disease or condition that might lead to pain or discomfort, and those that affect the pets mobility can all cause or contribute to behavior problems.

a) Any condition that leads to an increase in pain or discomfort can lead to increased irritability, increased anxiety or fear of being handled or approached, and ultimately an increased aggressiveness. If these aggressive displays are successful at removing the "threat" (and they usually are) the behavior is reinforced. Medical conditions that affect the ears, anal sacs, teeth and gums, bones, joints, or back (disks) are some of the more common causes of pain and discomfort. If the cat's mobility is affected, it may become increasingly aggressive, choosing to threaten and bite, rather than retreat. A decrease in mobility could also affect urination and defecation by reducing the cat’s desire or ability to utilize its elimination area.

b) Sensory dysfunction: Cats with diminished sight or hearing may have a decreased ability to detect or identify the stimuli, and might begin to respond differently to commands, sounds or sights. Sensory decline is more likely to be seen as cat’s age.

c) Diseases of the internal organs, such as the kidneys or liver, can cause a number of behavior changes, primarily due to the toxic metabolites that accumulate in the bloodstream. Organ decline and dysfunction is more common in the older cat. Any medical conditions that cause an increased frequency of urination or decreased urine control, such as kidney disease, bladder infections, bladder stones, or neurological damage might lead to an increase in house-soiling. Similarly, those problems that affect the frequency of bowel movements or bowel control, such as colitis or constipation might lead to house-soiling with stools.

d) Diseases of the brain and spinal cord can lead to a number of behavior and personality changes. Conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, infections, immune and degenerative diseases can all directly affect a cat’s nervous system and therefore its behavior. In the older cat aging changes can have a direct effect on the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction and senility.

e) The endocrine (hormone) system also plays a critical role in behavior. Over-activity or under-activity of any of the endocrine organs can lead to a number of behavior problems. The thyroid and parathyroid glands (in the neck), the pituitary gland (in the brain), the adrenal gland (by the kidneys), the pancreas, and the reproductive organs can all be affected by conditions or tumors that lead to an increase or decrease in hormone production. Endocrine disorders are more likely to arise as the cat ages.

f) The aging process is associated with progressive and irreversible changes of the body systems. Although these changes are often considered individually, the elderly cat is seldom afflicted with a single disease, but rather varying degrees of organ disease and dysfunction. Cognitive decline and senility have also been recognized in older cats.

What tests need to be done to determine if my pet’s behavior problem is due to a medical condition?

Clinical history and physical examination

The assessment begins with a clinical history and physical examination. Laboratory tests may be needed. A more comprehensive examination such as a neurological examination or sensory testing may be required. For some of these tests your cat may need to be referred to a specialist.

Before beginning behavior therapy, any medical problem that has been diagnosed should be treated. A change in diet or a drug trial may be an important aspect of differentiating a medical from a behavioral cause (as a food trial or steroid trial might be used to rule out an underlying allergic cause). Surgery may also be indicated such as when a tumor is diagnosed or when castration is indicated to reduce male sexually influenced behaviors. For long standing behavior problems your veterinarian may commence medical and behavioral treatment.

Litter Training Your Kitten

From a young age, cats have a strong instinct to void in sand or soil. Typically, cats dig to prepare a shallow hole. More digging follows to cover their waste. Cats exhibit a wide range of normal behavior relating to elimination. Some normal cats do not cover waste, whereas others dig enthusiastically before and after voiding. Cats often prefer a specific litter box location and type of litter. To encourage kittens to use the litter, gently place the kitten in the pan soon after each meal. If the kitten has had an "accident" outside the box, simply place the mess in the box to help the kitten make the desired association. Punishment is never necessary, as kittens usually learn quickly. Avoid disturbing your cat while it is using the box, and never punish it for any reason especially when it is near the box.

The Litter Box and Litter Material

Choosing a Litter Box

Many types of litter boxes and litter material are available to cat owners. Litter boxes or pans are generally rectangular plastic containers. The box size should be large enough to comfortably accommodate an adult cat. The sides of the pan should be low enough to allow easy access by a kitten or an ailing or aging cat. (For these cats, you may consider replacing a standard litter pan with any other suitable container.)

Covered litter boxes are available in a variety of styles and may substantially reduce odors. Some litter covers have charcoal filters that further reduce odor. You can purchase a litter pan without a cover, but ask whether a cover may be added later, just in case. Covered boxes reduce odors by decreasing the circulation of air that carries odors emanating from the box.  However, covered litter boxes retain oders that are offensive to some cats.  Therefore, it is important to keep all boxes fastidiously clean, even if you cannot smell them. Odors trapped in a covered box can deter the cat's use, so be sure to change all boxes frequently.

A standard covered box requires the cat to step into an opening in the cover's front. Other models require the cat to enter and exit through an elevated and inclined opening. The top portion of a covered box can also be removed and placed upside down as an alternative litter pan for cats that tend to void over the edges or are unsteady because of age or illness. The best type of litter box is the one that your cat will use.

Choosing Litter Filler

Cats are not born with an instinct to eliminate on unnatural litter filler. Their natural choice is sand or soil. A wide variety of litter filler is marketed to attract the cat owner. In choosing a litter filler, consider first and foremost what your cat prefers.

Some cats may have no preference, whereas others are surprisingly choosy. It is probably best to begin with a product that is basic and simple. The dust or scent of perfumed or deodorizing filler materials may be disturbing to some cats. Others may prefer fine, sand-like filler or even shredded newspaper. It may be helpful to try two or three different types in several litter boxes simultaneously to see which material the cat prefers.

If you decide to try a new brand, your cat might adjust more smoothly if the old and new litters are mixed for a time.

Care of Litter Boxes

The most important factor in encouraging litter box use is cleanliness. Cats are very clean animals that avoid foul-smelling and damp places. Consider not what you think is clean, but what your cat considers acceptable. Change the litter completely and frequently at regular intervals, using the manufacturer's recommendation as a guideline. Each cat has its own tolerance of litter box contamination and may avoid using the box if it is too dirty As a rule of thumb, provide one litter pan for every cat in your household plus one more.  If you have more than one litter box, you may find that some are used more than others. This may reflect your cats' preference for location or dissatisfaction with litter hygiene, suggesting that you should reconsider box placement or change the litter more often. Cats in multi-cat households often share litter boxes, but some are less tolerant of soiled boxes. Though you may have several boxes in your home, you must keep them clean to ensure their regular use.


Litter Box Location

Cats prefer to eliminate in boxes that are placed in a quiet location, such as a corner away from busy areas but within sight so you will notice any elimination difficulties which will prompt an immediate visit to the vet.  Male cats that cannot urinate due to urinary tract  blockage can die.  Place the litter pan well away from a food dish or water bowl. It is also important to never block access to the litter box. Consider placing an additional box at a different location in case access to the other box is blocked. It is also prudent to provide more than enough litter boxes in case you are slow to keep them as clean as your cat may require.

Elimination Problems in Cats

Inappropriate Urination

DEFINITION   A behavior problem characterized by failure on the part of a cat to voluntarily urinate or deficate in an available litter box. This section addresses problems related to urine with a brief discussion of inappropriate defecation.   Feline housesoiling includes both inappropriate urination, characterized by simple (squat) urination on horizontal surfaces outside the litter box, and urine spraying on vertical surfaces outside the litter box.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY  With inappropriate urination, the cat's behavior may be entirely normal or a pathophysiological state may underlie the behavior problem. Urine spraying is a normal marking behavior in cats. There are widespread individual differences in the propensity to spray urine, and there may be a heritable component to the behavior.

Inappropriate urination

• Urination on horizontal surfaces outside the litter box.
• The intensity and duration of the problem vary greatly.

Urine spraying

• You may have seen the cat display: It orients to a vertical surface, raises and quivers its tail, and directs a stream of urine caudally in the process of urine spraying.
• You may detect urine around doorways or windows. This urine is sprayed in response to an outdoor cat.

Causes

This problem is often strictly behavioral. This is especially true with urine spraying. However, inappropriate urination may be associated with medical conditions, particularly those associated with polyuria and polydipsia, dysuria, and pollakiuria. In all cases of inappropriate elimation the cat should be thoroughly examined for an underlying medical problem.  A minimum database should include CBC, Biochemistry Profile, Complete Urinalysis and Fecal Exam.

Environmental Influences

The longer inappropriate urination is allowed to continue, the more enduring the pattern may become and the more difficult it may be to resolve. This behavior is self-reinforcing, increasing the likelihood that the cat will do it again. Inappropriate urination may continue because of environmental factors that have little or nothing to do with the initial cause, which may never be determined.

Urine contains odors that identify the individual and mark a cat's territory. The location of food, water, and safe places to rest are linked to a cat's sense of security within its territory. If these are disturbed or if a sensitive cat is distressed for any reason, it may reaffirm its territorial claim and relieve anxiety by urine marking.

Litter training is further complicated in households with more than one cat. An easily offended cat may avoid a box that has been used by a housemate, whereas another may be attracted to void in the box to cover the odors left by others. Territorial conflict between cats in multi-cat homes may cause problems relating to use of the litter box. One cat may wait near the litter box to ambush another cat when it attempts to use the box. An increased level of anxiety could lead to inappropriate elimination.

As a guideline, provide one litter box for every cat in your household. Choose a variety of locations in quiet corners of your home to see which box attracts the most use. A cat that is harassed by others, even in play, should have an alternative box to use.

A cat can develop preferences for a certain target surface, such as carpeting, and eventually mark similar surfaces throughout your home. Certain sounds or even certain times of day may trigger marking. The problem can rapidly become complex. Regardless of the initial trigger, inappropriate elimination may reappear in times of stress because the act immediately relieves anxiety.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Inappropriate Urination

• A dirty litter box may cause a cat to avoid the box. Individual cats have different levels of tolerance to an unclean litter box. One cat may faithfully use a box that is only cleaned once or twice a week, whereas another cat may avoid a box that has been used just once.
• A negative experience associated with the litter box could also deter its use. Do not scold or startle a cat in the vicinity of its litter box
• Inadequate number of boxes (one box per cat).
• Box located in remote or unpleasant surrounding (e.g., a relatively inaccessible basement and noisey laundry room).
• Inappropriate type of box. A covered litter box may maintain odors at an offensive level or may be too small for large cats to move around comfortably. A covered litter box allows other cats, pet dogs, and young children to target the cat as it exits.
• Wrong litter type. Preference tests indicate that more cats prefer unscented type litter over other substrates, but individual differences in litter preference must be considered.
• Daily or weekly temporal patterns of inappropriate urination may suggest a patterned, environmental cause.
• Location of the urination may suggest a substrate preference or influential social factor
• Consider any concomitant changes in the social world of the cat at the time the problem started.
• An acute onset in a cat that has previously reliably used the litter box suggests a medical problem.
• An acute shift from one substrate such as litter to an unusual substrate such as a porcelain sink suggests a lower urinary tract disorder.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Urine Spraying

• The more cats in the household, the greater the probability that at least one cat will spray urine. 
• The presence of outdoor cats, either owned or feral, increases the risk of urine spraying by indoor cats.
• Spraying restricted to sites around doorways and windows suggests response to an outdoor cat.

Risk Factors

• Multiple-cat households
• Households in which the owner travels frequently 
• Households in which the litter box (or boxes) is infrequently changed

Cats that have been neutered at the appropriate age and that have never roamed outdoors or even seen another cat may begin to urinate outside the litter box. A sexually intact tom or female in heat that has begun to urinate inappropriately should be neutered without delay. The hormonal influences related to reproduction may motivate urine marking. Once these are no longer in circulation following neutering, the behavior is likely to stop, provided it is not allowed to continue for too long. Neutering alone, however, may not be enough to return behavior to normal if marking (or inappropriate elimination in general) is longstanding (roughly, more than several weeks). Also, neutering does not guarantee a cat will never urinate inappropriately. Given enough social stress or predisposing circumstances, any cat might begin to void outside its litter box.

Medical Abnormalities Associated with Inappropriate Urination

• Diabetes mellitus
• Urolithiasis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Administraiton of corticosteroids and diuretics
• FeLV
• FIV
• FIP
• Lower urinary tract disease
• Interstitial cystitis
• Intracranial cuterebral migrations
• Dysautonomia
• Seizures

DIAGNOSIS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

It is extremely important to differentiate inappropriate urination from urine spraying (see signs) because treatment is different. The most common cause of inappropriate urination is dissatisfaction with some quality of the litter box. The most common cause for urine spraying is urine marking in response to the presence of other cats.

CBC/BIOCHEMISTRY/URINALYSIS

Findings vary with the underlying cause. Results are usually normal in cases of urine spraying and inappropriate urination when it is strictly a behavioral problem. Urinalysis is the minimum data base in any cat examined because of inappropriate urination. Serial samples should be collected in cats whose behavioral signs wax and wane.

OTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

In multicat households, it may be difficult to determine which cat is responsible for inappropriate elimination. The offending cat may be identified in one of two ways: 1. Isolate each cat one at a time in a small room to identify the culprit by process of elimination. However, such a protocol may sufficiently alter the social milieu that inappropriate elimination may not occur. 2. Administer the dye fluorescein (6 fluorescein test strips in a gel capsule PO) sequentially to each cat. Urine outside the litter box fluoresces under a Wood's light for approximately 24 hours. If negative after 36 hours, the test can be repeated on another cat.

OTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

In multicat households, it may be difficult to determine which cat is responsible for inappropriate elimination. The offending cat may be identified in one of two ways:

1. Isolate each cat one at a time in a small room to identify the culprit by process of elimination. However, such a protocol may sufficiently alter the social milieu that inappropriate elimination may not occur.
2. Administer the dye fluorescein (6 fluorescein test strips in a gel capsule PO) sequentially to each cat. Urine outside the litter box fluoresces under a Wood's light for approximately 24 hours. If negative after 36 hours, the test can be repeated on another cat.

TREATMENT

• Treat any underlying medical condition.
• Intact animals should be neutered, because this curbs spraying behavior in up to 90% of males and 95% of females.
  

INAPPROPRIATE URINATION

Cats that approach the litter box and eliminate in its vicinity are communicating some dissatisfaction with the litter box.

Recommendations

• Pick out the litter box daily and clean it thoroughly once a week.
• Provide at least one litter box per cat, distribute in more than one location, and avoid high traffic or high noise areas.  Move the food bowls away from the litter box.
• If the litter box is a covered type, provide an additional large, plain litter box.
• Offer unscented, fine-grained clumping type litter in a alternate box.
• Do not use a liner in the alternate box.
• Place an alternate box over sites of accidents. When in regular use, move the box several inches per day to a site more acceptable to the owner.
• Use deterrents at the site of inappropriate elimination. Possibilities include unacceptable substrate such as aluminum foil or plastic sheeting and odor deterrents such as citrus spray.
• For problems of long duration, it may be necessary to confine the offending cat in a small room, remote from the sites of elimination. Provide a litter box, food, and other necessities. When regular litter box use has been achieved or when well-supervised, the cat can be let out of the room for increasing periods of time.
• Behavior modification techniques include rewarding the cat for the use of the litter box with a favored treat.
• Punishment with a water pistol is not recommended and considered a form of abuse.
• A sound alarm is effective only if initiated at the start of the behavior sequence. Punishment associated with sounds or movements by the owner will condition the cat to avoid the owner. Counterconditioning may be used by feeding or playing with the cat at elimination sites.

Moving the Litter Box

Most cats prefer a quiet, out-of-the-way place for urination and defecation. Too much noise or activity nearby can discourage a cat from using the litter box and drive it to another location of its own choosing. Moving the litter box to a new location can also upset certain cats. If the litter box must be moved, do it gradually.

Move the box a few inches each day toward the new location, even if this is slightly inconvenient for you. Place another box at the new location. When your cat discovers the new designated location and uses the box there, it is probably safe to remove the transitional one.

Another method is to place several additional boxes in various new places and observe which of these your cat prefers. Your cat's individual preference of location is your best guide.

Failure to Cover Waste

The instinct to bury urine and stool is strong in most cats. Most cats dig in the litter box to prepare an indentation before voiding. They then cover stool and urine deposits with litter. Digging associated with defecation may be more pronounced.

Some cats enthusiastically cover their waste, whereas others may never do so. If your cat does not cover its urine or stool, this is no cause to worry. A cat that does not bury its urine or stool is not abnormal.

Soiled Hair in Long-Haired Breeds

Long-haired cats, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more prone to urine or stool soiling the hairs around the anus, tail, thighs, and even the paws. Segments of stool may adhere to their long hair and later fall off or be removed by the cat during grooming. Cats remove adhered feces by pulling out the soiled hair or by rubbing against the floor.

Punishment for fecal soiling is not effective and only confuses your pet and makes it more anxious. Instead, a professional groomer or veterinary technician can carefully trim the long hair beneath the tail, around the anus and genitals, and at the back of the thighs. This makes maintenance grooming much easier.

Elimination In Houseplant Pots

Cats have a natural instinct to void and dig in soil or sand. The litter box is a human invention and an artificial substitute. It is surprising that more cats do not eliminate in potted plants! To discourage your cat from eliminating inappropriately in your houseplant pots, devise ways to prevent access.

• Suspend plants or place them on an elevated surface or in a room that is off limits to your cat
• If it is inconvenient to isolate the plant, cover the soil with wire mesh or aluminum foil. Leave this cover in place as long as your cat shows any interest in returning there.
• Above all, keep the litter box especially clean so your cat has no reason to avoid it.

Inappropriate Defecation

Many of the reasons why cats fail to urinate in the litter box also apply to inappropriate defecation. Defecation also functions in territorial marking and relief of anxiety. Inappropriate defecation may stem from a dirty litter box, medical problems, stress, anxiety, and even fear. A cat may display its displeasure by depositing urine or stool in inappropriate areas.

Inappropriate defecation and urination should not be viewed as intentional acts of malice or revenge. The same solutions apply to both types of elimination.

FOLLOW-UP

PATIENT MONITORING

Owners should keep a detailed log of all elimination patterns to provide more information on the problem and feedback regarding treatment success. Owners on a program of environmental modification need to make adjustments in order to respond to preferences shown by their cat.

Predatory Behavior In Cats

With the exception of lions, most members of the cat family are solitary hunters that hunt alone and primarily at night. The cat's earliest association with human beings, about 11,000 BC, was probably uninvited but tolerated because of its usefulness in rodent control. Predatory aggression in domestic cats today continues to provide a valued service. Predatory behavior in cats is both instinctive and learned.

Hunting techniques are practiced by most normal kittens in the form of play. For example, kittens born as barn cats learn to hunt by observing their mother and perfect their skills by trial and error. Some housecats without prior experience instinctively react to prey animals that accidentally cross their path. Not all cats, however, are "born hunters."


Presentation of Prey to Owners

Owners may be horrified when their cat presents them with a half-eaten mouse, chipmunk, squirrel, or bird, or worse, a wounded one. Prey presentation is neither a gift nor the cat's token of gratitude for hospitality and care. Rather, this may be redirected maternal behavior, causing a cat to return to its "den" with prey for its young. The queen will normally bring dead prey, even regurgitating halfdigested food, to her newborn litter. As the kittens grow, she will return with live prey to provide real teaching tools for her kittens' education.

Bringing their prey home may be a remnant of ancestral behavior. A cat's instinct may be to carry its prey to a sheltered area but not to consume it. Some cat owners proclaim that it is cruel to restrict a cat's natural instinct to hunt. Yet the same owners may be disturbed by their pet's success in capturing the birds that gather at the birdfeeder or fountain in their own back yard.

Prey presentation is neither a gift nor the cat's token of gratitude

Preventing Predatory Behavior

The only practical way to resolve undesirable predatory behavior in cats is to prevent it. The instinct to hunt, particularly once a cat has become an experienced hunter, can be so strong that it lasts a lifetime. As long as a cat has the opportunity to hunt, it will hunt. Cats permitted to roam outdoors will express instinctive predatory behavior. Hunting may be part of a cat's outdoor activities, regardless of how well it is fed at home. Indeed, some outdoor cats prefer to hunt their own food and are finicky eaters at home.

It may help to attach bells to a breakaway collar (in addition to important identification tags). Though many cats learn to stalk their prey without ringing a single bell, multiple bells can help warn unsuspecting targets.

If you allow your cat to roam, you can prevent it from entering your home with its prey. You can install a magnetic cat door with triggering magnet collar or a cat door that allows the cat to exit at will but requires your presence to permit its reentry. This allows you to regulate unwelcome guests. Remember, though, that your pet can be injured in its attempts to capture prey and is susceptible to the health risks associated with roaming outdoors.

Territorial Behavior in Cats

Most species of wild cats live in relative solitude. Although there is reason to believe that the domestic cat is more social than many of its "wild" relatives and often forms affiliations with other cats, the territorial instinct is alive and well in the domestic feline. A cat's territorial nature is very much a reflection of its social behavior. Pet cats that are permitted to roam freely outdoors generally spend little time with other cats. For the most part, cats prefer to share their territory, indoors or out, with a select few or no other cats. The more densely populated the area, the greater the tension between individuals, regardless of gender or reproductive status. This applies to outdoor cats and to cats in multi-cat households.

The territory of outdoor cats may be shared by many individuals passing through at different times of day. Cats confined as housepets occupy a restricted home range as compared with the area they might otherwise claim outdoors. Cats usually adapt well to being kept indoors, particularly if they have been confined from a young age. Some kittens that have never been outdoors, however, can be quite persistent in their attempts to escape. Cats adopted as adults, even as adult strays, often thrive as housepets. Clearly, there is much individual variation in the territorial nature of domestic cats.

Territorial Aggression

Close Encounters

Conflicts may occur between cats sharing the same territory. This does not mean that cats always fight when they meet. When they see each other, each cat evaluates the other. Do they recognize each other? What was the nature of previous encounters? Is there hesitation and defensiveness, or is the posture alert and confident? One or both cats may detour from their usual route to avoid encounters. They may approach each other, only to change course ~ at the last moment. They may approach closer to gain information that cannot be gathered from a distance, such as scents that indicate an animal is diseased and therefore a weakened opponent.

If neither individual retreats, tensions may rise. If one cat tries to retreat when the other cat is ready to fight, a fight may result anyway. If neither cat is willing to retreat or fight, they may eventually pass each other by without conflict. If both cats are equally motivated to challenge each other, a fight often results. An assertive, uncastrated tomcat, forexample, is more likely to antagonize another cat during the mating season than at other times when sexual motivation may not be as high. Indoor or outdoor cats may leave scratch marks or mark with urine and/or stool to reassert territorial claims and to relieve emotional tension.


Conflicts Between Housemates

Conflict may arise between indoor cats upon first introduction or following a period of calm coexistence. The age of the individuals may be an important factor. Kittens reaching physical and behavioral maturity, for example, may discover their own sense of territory or may be suddenly resented by another resident cat.

Housecats may sort out their individual territories without fights. Cats may come to an understanding of each other's temperament and physical ability during play. Play times may end abruptly, however, if one cat perceives subtle challenges in the other's behavior. Minor territorial disputes between pet cats can be mistaken as playful interaction. You may have to intervene in conflicts between cats if the conflicts become severe and frequent. Always consider your own safety first. Your injuries will almost certainly be more severe than those sustained by your cats. Throw a glass of water or a blanket over the opponents to break up the fight at least temporarily. The more cats there are in a household, the greater the likelihood for conflicts over food, space, and your attention.


Restoring the Peace

The best way to resolve territorial aggression between cats is to prevent opportunities for it. The factors contributing to it should be identified and controlled. Do the conflicts occur more often at certain times of day than at others? If so, it might be helpful to confine one of the cats during this period so that the same territory may be "time shared." Does one cat wait in ambush for the other to appear? Do conflicts occur in specific areas of your home? These locations should be neutralized by blocking access to them, for example. Are the confrontations chance encounters, erupting spontaneously?

It may be necessary to isolate each cat in a different area of your home so that their paths never cross. Is the severity of aggression serious and getting worse, or is it mild and constant, without casualties? If the conflicts are brief and without physical contact, it might be wise not to interfere.

If the bouts seem to be escalating in intensity, several steps should be taken. As a temporary measure, it is almost always necessary to separate the antagonists, confining them to their own separate quarters. Regardless of whether the pets are kept indoors exclusively, all cats not intended for breeding should be neutered. If fighting occurs between intact cats that will be bred, these animals should be caged or housed separately. In some cases, it is simplest to end ongoing conflicts by relocating the antagonist in another home where it will be the only cat.

If none of these measures is effective, contact your veterinarian for referral to a veterinary behavior consultant in your area. Remember that territorial conflicts in multi-cat households are virtually inevitable. Keep the number of pet cats in reasonable proportion to the size of your home and the individual needs of your current feline friends.


Territorial Cats and People

Territorially aggressive cats can occasionally direct their attentions to people. Visitors may be lunged at or bitten by a cat that perceives them as intruders. This can occur immediately upon their arrival or much later. Sometimes the cat's impendmg attack is signaled by stalking one individual in particular, or it may resent all intruders. Cats with this tendency should either be confined to avoid guests or intentionally exposed to them. If you want your cat to get used to visitors, keep it on a harness and leash, and carefully supervise as your guests give your pet a favorite treat. Your cat should get this special food treat only when there are visitors. Instruct your guests not to touch the cat first and only to respond to your cat's interest in them if you are quite sure it is friendly.

Roaming Outdoors

The Benefits of Neutering

Cats instinctively explore and frequently patrol their territory. The size of their territory may expand or contract according to population density, exhaustion of natural resources, availability of cycling females, and interactions between aggressive rivals. Younger cats tend to patrol wider areas than do aging animals. Males tend to roam over greater areas than do females. Neutered males may patrol smaller areas, whereas neutered females tend to expand their territories. Many cats that have been reared indoors from birth may become increasingly interested in the outdoors and often attempt to escape even before they reach sexual maturity.

Neutering a pet cat may diminish its determination to escape, reduce the size of territory outdoors, and reduce the frequency and severity of cat fights which can easily result in deadly, infectious viral diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Leukemia, and Feline Infectious Peritonitis; all of which are fatal disease for which there are no cures.  There is no vaccine for FIV, and the vaccine for and FeLV is not 100% effective.  The efficacy and safety of the FIP vaccine is highly questionable.  Neutering alone, however, will not deter any cat with a strong predisposition to roam. Neutering is advised for any cat that roams outdoors, either habitually or accidentally, if only to help control the population of stray cats.


Converting to a House Cat

Many cats born as strays and adopted as housecats adjust remarkably quickly. Indeed, many stray cats that are adopted remain indoors permanently without protest. Cats that live in temperate climates may naturally restrict their outdoor activity during cold winter months. These individuals may adapt more readily to being kept indoors permanently.

Newly confined cats typically go through a phase of heightened activity. Their agitation and frustration may be redirected to undesirable indoor activities, such as destructiveness, excessive vocalization, irritability, and nocturnal patterns of peak activity. These cats may seek escape routes for many weeks before resigning themselves to confinement. Should the opportunity to escape present itself, however, many of these cats may take it, even years later. It is particularly important to provide your cat with additional outlets by playing with it and engaging in interactive diversions you both will enjoy.


Prevention of Roaming

A young cat increasingly interested in going outside should be denied the opportunity to escape. One successful escape virtually guarantees that other attempts will follow. Young cats usually outgrow this
escapist phase when they are consistently unsuccessful. Some cats manage to escape despite their owner's intention to confine them. For these owners and for those that own adult cats already accustomed to roaming outdoors, efforts to restrict their pet's range can be frustrating.

Be aware of your cat's position as you enter or exit a door leading outside. Secure windows and place screens as needed. Balconies even several stories high can present attractive escape exits to more daring (or foolhardy) cats. Provide a wide variety of toys that are attractive to your cat (not just to you). Frequently play with your young cat so that it is less prone to seek amusement elsewhere. Have your cat neutered at an appropriate age as recommended by your veterinarian.

If you (wisely) decide to keep your cat indoors, stand by your decision. Even occasional outings will increase your cat's determination to go outside. The initial transition period may be easier with a short course of sedatives in small doses. Medications prescribed by your veterinarian can help your cat become adjusted to confinement. Given enough time and positive reinforcement, most cats adapt well.

An outdoor cat lives a more stressful life than an indoor cat, and stress leads to a myriad of physical and psychological disorders.  Outdoor cats on the street, or even in the country, are faced every day with territorial disputes, threats from other animals, people, cars, environmental noises which cause panic, and situations which generate pure fear. Indoor  cats generally live longer and healthier lives than outdoor cats - a fact that cannot be disputed.

Although territorial roaming provides cats with exercise and mental stimulation, cats can live a happy life while remaining indoors. The risk of injury (from motor vehicle accidents, cat fights, or confrontations with other animals), disease, and abuse far outweigh any possible benefit to your cat. It is not cruel to restrict cats to an exclusively indoor existence. Rather, the cruelty lies in exposing them to the dangers outside of a safe home.

The cruelty lies in exposing them to the dangers outside of a safe home.

Cats can live a longer, happier,  life while remaining indoors.

Aggression

AGGRESSION BETWEEN CATS IN A MULTI-CAT HOUSEHOLD

When a cat is frightened or startled, its reaction may be redirected to the nearest available individual or object. In a multi-cat household, this target may be another cat.

Redirected aggression is swift and intense, and may begin a cycle of persistent aggressive interaction. The spontaneous eruption can occur between housemates that previously coexisted peacefully. It may subside within moments but, more commonly, several days or even weeks may pass before the housemates resume normal relations. Sometimes the relationship between cats is permanently changed.

In a multi-cat household, the target cat is not necessarily the first victim of the aggressive outburst, though usually it is. Occasionally, the roles may be reversed and the aggressor becomes the target cat.

After the initial conflict, a vicious cycle may form between the target cat and its aggressor. In anticipation of an attack, the target cat typically assumes a defensive, fearful, and cautious attitude, which triggers the attacker's pursuit.

Long after the original episode has passed, the aggressive cat may be aroused simply by the target cat's hesitation. The dominant cat may appear to chase the other as a kind of game.

To avoid further problems, separate the cats as quickly as possible after the first episode. Avoid injury to yourself that may be caused by trying to separate one from the other. It is safer to let the tension subside and then deal with any injury inflicted on the target cat. The steps below should be taken with the close and direct supervision of a veterinary behaviorist. It is important to proceed at a pace that does not force the cats together too soon so that their peace will last.

• Neither cat should be permitted the run of the house. Confine each cat separately, each with its own litter, food, and water for at least 7 days.
  
• Wait an extra 24 hours after the time when they both appear calm and content. Then release one cat at a time to readjust.
  
• Extend the period of confinement by another day if there is any sign of aggression.
  
• Alternate with each cat so that periods of confinement are gradually briefer and periods of freedom are longer.
  
• Eventually, both cats can be briefly allowed out at the same time, perhaps at mealtime.
  
• If there is any aggression, remove the food or confine the aggressive cat, or both if necessary. Try again later.
  
• It can be very helpful to tranquilize one or both cats during this recuperative period. Both cats are anxious, agitated, and aroused, and anti-anxiety medication prescribed by your veterinarian or preferably by your veterinary behaviorist can help prevent permanent problems. Continue inculcating both cats until neither is disturbed by the other's presence.
  
• Aggression can erupt at any time in the future for the same or unrelated precipitating factors.
  
• Fear-induced or territorial aggression in a cat or dog can be redirected toward people during peak moments of arousal. Aggression may be redirected to you, particularly if you act to distract the aggressor.

Confinement can help resolve aggression between cats.

FEAR-INDUCED AGGRESSION

Fear serves as an alarm system, alerting an individual to danger. The more an animal feels cornered or perceives little chance of escape, the more likely it is to become aggressive. The greater the perception of danger, the more intense the aggressive response may be. Pets can be afraid of loud noises and startled by sudden movements. If they were not exposed to a variety of people growing up in a critical phase of their development, they can be afraid of children, or men, or everyone. Isolated from other cats or dogs, they may be afraid of them, too. The critical period of socialization is considered to be between 7 and 13 weeks in puppies. In kittens, the most sensitive phase is even earlier, between 3 and 7 weeks. As important as exposure to people is during these periods, individual temperament is always the fundamental determining factor to influence a puppy's or kitten's social attitude. Fear of people does not necessarily stem from a negative (abusive) episode but may result from inexperience and lack of social interaction. The unknown is frequently more frightening than the familiar.

A frightened animal may signal its heightened arousal and impending attack, such as a cat's hiss or a dog's growl. Typically, a frightened cat or dog will crouch closer to the ground, with its hair (especially along the top of the back and tail) standing on end. Cats can initially puff up and stretch their legs, turning sideways, in the "Halloween cat" posture to make themselves appear larger and more defensive. Ears for both frightened cats and dogs are usually laid back flat against the head, although ears can remain erect, too. This is more difficult to see in dog breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, which has long, floppy ears set close to the head. Another subtle clue to a pet's fear is the size of the eyes' pupils, which are often dilated, making the eyes appear darker. In dogs, the tail may be tucked under the back legs, but it could be held erect and may be even wagging, so it is a less reliable body cue. However, an animal may give little or no warning before a defensive attack.

Fear-induced aggression can be redirected toward an innocent bystander who unintentionally blocks a path of escape. The best way to prevent injury to yourself is to refrain from any behavior that escalates the animal's anxiety.

Do not crowd a cornered dog or cat or pursue one that has sought refuge under a bed or table. Do not even try to comfort it with petting. Back slowly away to a distance at which the pet's tension subsides.

Entice it gently away from the comer or other sheltered location with a food treat. Avoid sustained eye contact and do not intercede if it makes another dash to escape. Avoid the animal until signs of fear and agitation disappear.

Fear-induced aggression may occur with other types of aggression. A territorially aggressive dog, for example, often shows signs of fear as it advances against or withdraws from an intruder. A dog or cat that is introduced to an unfamiliar person may approach and retreat as social and fearful tendencies conflict. This is seen in dogs, for example, that wag their tails in seemingly friendly greeting while they growl.

When an animal displays signs of fear including hesitation, with apparent friendliness, always exercise caution. A confident, cautious, or growling dog that is wagging its tail may bite with little provocation. If your own pet's behavior fits those described on this page, be sure to seek the professional guidance of a veterinary behaviorist. A fearful dog that becomes aggressive is a dangerous problem that, thankfully, responds well to appropriate intervention.

IRRITABLE AGGRESSION

Intolerance to Handling In Pets

Both cats and dogs can display signs of intolerance to human handling from an early age. However, it can be an acquired problem later in life. Regardless of how it began, intolerance to human handling should be discussed with a veterinary behaviorist so that your pet can better respond to your needs as a pet owner. Do not assume that nothing can be done to improve your pet's attitude when you have not explored the possibilities.

Intolerance to Handling In Cats

The temperament of domestic cats is quite variable. Some pet cats are attentive, demonstrative, and tolerant of handling. Others are anxious and cautious, and avoid interaction with people. Between these extremes lies a great range of tolerance of and preference for handling.

Some cats, for example, solicit petting and find unlimited pleasure in human contact but resent being held. Others enjoy handling endlessly, as long as their belly is not touched. Still other cats briefly endure human handling before abruptly moving away.

Intolerance to handling is not a reliable indicator that an animal has suffered abuse in the past. Although physical abuse may cause a cat to avoid a specific person or people in general, some cats that have never been subjected to inhumane treatment may be irritable or shy. Some cats that have been abused may be passive and tolerant.

Underlying Medical Problems

Irritable aggression may be a sign of a health problem. Sudden changes in a pet's temperament should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. For example, if your dog or cat seems to resent having its ears touched, it may be uncomfortable because of an ear infection.

Any gradual temperament change should also be brought to your veterinarian's attention, particularly if accompanied by physical changes.

A cat that becomes progressively agitated and irritable, and is losing weight despite an increased appetite, may have an overly active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). An aging dog may become inactive and intolerant until the discomfort caused by arthritis is controlled with appropriate medication.

Report any aggressive reactions to petting to your veterinarian so that the possibility of an underlying physical illness can be investigated.

Predictable Circumstances

Irritability may also be a natural part of your pet's basic temperament. If you know that your cat does not like to have its tail touched, avoid touching its tail. If your dog growls when disturbed from sleep, wake it gently by calling its name.

If you persist in an activity that is disagreeable to your pet, it will almost certainly aggravate the problem. Your pet may even begin to anticipate unpleasant interaction with you and learn to avoid you altogether.

Depending on your pet and the circumstances of its irritable aggression, the safest and simplest solution may be to avoid repeating the pattern that elicits the undesirable response. A pet that has learned to run away in anticipation of being touched should simply not be approached. Instead, encourage the animal to approach you.

Hold the food dish at mealtime but withhold all other physical contact. As your pet learns to associate you with good things (food), begin to pet it lightly and briefly during feeding. Eventually, you should be able to pet the animal between meals, too.

If your pet becomes irritable in response to a necessary interaction, such as having its nails trimmed, mimic that activity by repeating parts of the activity and associate these with a positive experience. For example, touch your pet's foot briefly and reward it with a food treat if there is no sign of irritability. Reward its good behavior (lack of aggressiveness) and gradually progress to the actual nail trim after a long retraining period. If your pet tolerates handling, such as petting, but only for a brief and predictable period, develop a sense as to how long this tolerance lasts and stop the petting before that point.

If you persist in an activity that is disagreeable to your pet, it will almost certainly aggravate the problem

LEARNED AGGRESSION

Regardless of how aggression is first triggered, it may be repeated in similar situations long after the initial cause is past. Aggression is self-reinforcing, increasing the chances that it will be exhibited again.

Once an animal learns that aggression is effective, it is more likely to become aggressive again under similar circumstances. It may also display aggressive behavior in other unrelated situations (for example, in order to avoid a bath).

Aggression is an instinctive response that can become a conditioned response to any given situation. A dog that is rewarded by praise or attention for aggressive barking may soon learn that barking is an effective way to get your attention, even if the attention is your scolding.

A cat that nips at your hand in a moment of excitement as its food dish is filled may learn that biting is associated with a reward (feeding).

In general, exercise caution when reprimanding an agitated animal. Avoid injury to yourself. Do not correct intense aggression by immediately punishing your pet. If your pet has learned to control you with its aggressive behavior, it is wisest to seek professional help.  Veterinary behaviorists can identify the triggers and problem contexts associated with aggressive control by your pet.  Retraining should include an emphasis on  how to prevent episodes from repeating.

Appropriate behavior should be encouraged at all times by reinforcing positive forms of interaction, such as obedience skills for dogs. In recognized problem contexts and whenever undesirable behavior appears, withdraw all rewards including, and in particular, your attention. Sometimes it can be more effective and safer to leave the room rather than to confront an aggressively aroused animal.

Once an animal learns that aggression is effective, it is likely to become aggressive again

Aggression At the Veterinarian's Office

Dogs or cats visiting a veterinary hospital are often aware before entering the reception area that something different is about to happen.

They may have been transported, for the first time, in a carrier or car and sensed anxiety in their owner. The reception area is filled with the scents of unfamiliar pets, people, and disinfectants. Strange sounds, including those made by other frightened or ill pets, increase their anxiety.

They are then taken into an examination room to be handled by a stranger who may cause them discomfort. Hospitalization for a surgical procedure or medical treatment may follow. It is unusual when fear is not expressed by a pet after even a single visit.

Some pets become so fearful at the veterinarian's office that they risk injuring themselves and anyone attempting to handle them. Fear out of proportion to the actual danger present is classified as a phobia. A fearful response at the veterinarian's office is probably the most common phobia in companion animals.

A pet may become aggressive at the veterinarian's office because of fear and inability to escape. Some dogs are additionally motivated by defensive aggression aimed at protecting their owners in an apparently menacing situation.

A dominant dog may be more strongly inclined to defend its owner. Veterinarians sometimes find it helpful to separate a dog from its owner, so as to reduce aggression during a veterinary visit. This does not eliminate the dog's fear but often makes the veterinarian's examination considerably easier. Isolating a dog from its owner often eases its aggressiveness. This calming effect on the dog may also reflect the additional tension caused by its concerned owners.

Placing a muzzle on an aggressive dog frequently has a calming effect, as well as ensuring everyone's safety. It is not cruel to muzzle dog for brief periods.

If you are asked to separate yourself from or to place a muzzle on your agitated dog, have confidence in your veterinarian's judgment and concern for your dog's best interest.

If your pet develops an excessive fear of the veterinary visit, you will both be helped to feel comfortable by seeking the help of a veterinary behaviorist. Pets can be professionally desensitized over time to decrease and even eliminate their emotional aversion to the veterinary office. A fearful and aggressive pet is difficult to examine and to treat. Resolving this problem could have tremendous benefits down the road.

Problems of Agression
Special Section
Update

INTRODUCING NEW PETS TO RESIDENT PETS

There are many factors to consider when introducing pets for the first time. The species, breed, size, gender, age, individual temperament, and health status of each pet all contribute to their initial encounter and eventual coexistence. With so many factors to consider, it is virtually impossible to predict how one pet will respond to another.

Not all dogs and cats are destined to be antagonists. Not every sexually intact (uncastrated) male will reject a new male in its territory. If you already have a dog (or cat), adding a second dog (or cat) of the opposite sex does not guarantee they will get along.

Sometimes the most unlikely pets become instant and lifelong companions. Sometimes the intolerance of one or both is immediate and enduring. Often the initial period of conflict evolves over time toward a minimum of mutual tolerance. Also, once-stable relationships can degenerate for a variety of reasons.

Here are some general guidelines for introducing a new pet to resident pets:

• Take your time. A gradual process of discovery and investigation is best.
  
• Spend extra "quality time" alone with each pet during the transition period. Reassure your resident pet and establish bonds with the new pet.
  
• Watch for impending fights. A smaller pet is in more danger from injury by a larger pet than the reverse. A dog attack is more likely to severely injure a cat than a cat's attack on a dog.
  
• Give a frightened animal an avenue of escape. Fights can result in intentional or unintentional injury of anyone preventing retreat or blocking the path to safety.
  
• Consider your own safety before interfering with aroused or fighting animals. Proceed with caution, but recognize that you could be injured.

Introducing a New Cat
to a Resident Cat

Cats that have been exposed to other cats while growing up may adjust more readily to a new housemate. The best way to avoid conflict between cats is to carefully prepare for the first encounter. The resident cat may adjust to the newly introduced cat without confrontation if they are first required to share your home but at different times of day, and are not immediately introduced.

Phase I

• For the first few days, keep the new cat confined to one room. Provide fresh food, water, and fitter daily. Make frequent visits to spend time playing, feeding, petting, and generally interacting with the new cat during its isolation. Give it time to adjust to this one location, where it is guaranteed emotional and physical security. This will also help you establish a positive relationship with your new pet without distraction.
  
• Meanwhile, your resident cat will sense traces of the intruder on your clothing and skin. The new pet's odor and sounds will alert your resident cat to its presence. During this period, spend extra time with your resident cat, engaging in favorite activities in an effort to relieve any anxiety and minimize tension.
  
• Feeding tends to relieve an animal's feelings of anxiety and may help it adjust to the household changes. Place your resident cat's food dish near the door to the room where the new cat is kept confined. Gradually move the confined cat's food dish closer to the inside of the door. Feed them at about the same time so that they are separated only by the closed door. Move to the next step when neither cat exhibits any growling, hissing, or spitting when it senses the other is nearby.
  
• Confine your resident cat, with its own food, water, and litter box, to a favorite location. Your own bedroom may be convenient; most resident cats feel comfortable there because it is associated so strongly with you.
  
• Allow your new cat to explore your home for brief periods. Accompany it on its patrol to extend the comfort of your presence beyond the room where it had been isolated.
  
• Allow the new pet out of confinement for longer and longer periods several times each day. When both cats appear comfortable (the new one will assume positions of rest, for example, or groom itself more than it actively explores your home), proceed to the next step.

(Note: It may take several weeks to reach this point. Even if it takes only a few days, delay the next step for an additional week. Keep separate litter boxes for now. With continued progress, you may decide to gradually move one or both litter boxes to another location. It is advisable to maintain one litter box for each cat, even though each cat will likely use both boxes.)

Phase II

• Arrange to be present when both cats roam freely throughout your home for the first time. This should be planned to coincide with regular mealtimes. Follow the new cat so that you will be present when they first see each other. Some hesitation and hissing are to be expected from either or both individuals.
  
• Feed the cats in each other's presence, placing their food dishes at a comfortable distance. Wait only a few minutes after they have eaten to confine the cats to their quarters until the next scheduled mealtime. If either or both cats seem so disturbed that they do not eat in the other's presence, remove the food bowls and confine each to its own safe place. Try again when both cats are calm.
  
• If a second attempt fails, remove their food and confine them again. Wait until each has regained its composure to feed it. Try again the next day.
  
• As things settle down, allow them to spend progressively longer periods together after they have eaten each meal.
  
• Move their food dishes gradually closer to each other at successive meals. If problems occur at any time during the introduction process, return to the preceding step as outlined above. Be patient. Some cats are less sociable toward others and less willing to share their territory.
  

Options

With time, most cats learn to accept others in the household. Should your cats be exceptions, however, two options remain: (1) Keep one cat confined for part of the day, while the other roams freely. (2) Keep one cat permanently confined to one part of your home, while the other is kept exclusively in the other. You can always try another introduction later.

Introducing a New Dog to a Resident Cat

Cats that have had positive experiences with dogs early in life are more likely to welcome a new pet dog. Before introducing a cat to a dog, it is important to determine if the dog will harm the cat.

Some adult dogs that have never previously seen a cat show no aggression toward one. If a dog's predatory instinct toward cats is strong, however, it is likely to be displayed immediately and with little advance warning. For this reason, restrain the dog on a firmly held short leash and do not allow the cat to come within the dog's biting range.

If you have adopted an adult dog, ask the previous owner, if possible, about the dog's past interactions with cats. If the dog has had no previous contact with cats, proceed with caution. If you have acquired your new dog from a local shelter, ask the staff to test the dog's tolerance to cats before you take it home.

Even if there is no reason to suspect a problem, you should still restrain your new dog when it meets your cat. Young puppies (younger than 3 months) are unlikely to harm an adult cat. Though there are always exceptions, young animals are unlikely to turn against other animals when they are raised together.

Introducing a New Cat to a Resident Dog

Most of the guidelines suggested for introducing a cat to a dog apply here. Proceed cautiously. As long as the dog is restrained on a leash and the cat is free to escape, rely on the dog's initial reaction to the cat. If your dog guards its food or other objects, retrain it or take preventive measures. A cat that approaches a dog guarding its food may risk injury.

A common concern among dog owners is that a cat will scratch their dog's face and, in particular, its eyes. This concern may be less common when an unfamiliar dog is introduced to a resident cat.

A cat will rarely attack a dog without provocation unless it is cornered or threatened. Most dogs have a long muzzle and quick reflexes that adequately protect their eyes from cats. Your dog's eyes are more likely to be injured from flying debris when its head protrudes from your car window. Any traumatic corneal lacerations caused by a cat usually heal well with prompt veterinary care.

Training Your Cat To Tolerate Petting & Grooming

Reasons for Intolerance

Most cats enjoy human contact, but many animals have areas of their body that are sensitive to touch. Animals instinctively guard some body areas because these are more vulnerable. They often protect the abdomen, or belly, and the throat area. The "sensitive" areas vary with individual animals; for example, some animals resent having their tail touched.

Certain body areas may also become sensitive because of previous injury. If an animal is sensitive to touch because of past injury or illness, ask your veterinarian how to avoid causing your pet discomfort. It is probably worthwhile to discuss the possibility of an underlying medical problem with your veterinarian whenever your pet seems uncomfortable when touched. If your pet naturally resents having certain body areas touched, you may decide to simply avoid touching those areas. If these areas must be manipulated for routine grooming, work slowly to gradually increase your pet's tolerance by offering a reward at each training session. 

Some dominant cats  resent even gentle caresses over the top of the head, neck, and back. Their reaction may be worse if your hand holds a brush or comb. If your pet resists being touched over the length of its back, consider how other elements in its general behavior fit the profile of a dominantly aggressive pet.  If your cat does not avert its eyes from yours during direct eye contact, stubbornly resists assuming a "down" position, persistently jumps on everyone even in apparently friendly greetings, it is most likely displaying signs of dominance.

Practice with minimal grooming and petting for a very brief time. Over a period of days and weeks, increase the duration of the interaction. Stop well before your pet shows any sign of intolerance or irritability. Keep a record of the length of each session to give you a clear idea of your progress. Lack of further improvement may suggest that more training may not be productive.

Reward your cat's tolerance of your handling with a small food treat. Scheduling the inter action before meals can form a positive connection between petting or brushing and eating. In some cases, grooming can be made into a game. Your cat may enjoy gnawing on the comb for a few seconds in between brush strokes. You may alternate a stroke of the brush with a caress of your hand.

Choice of Brush or Comb

Although you may not believe you are exerting excessive pressure while brushing your pet, your pet may not agree. Some of the brushes recommended for your pet's coat type may cause discomfort. Although a particular comb may be effective in removing knots from your cat's long coat, it may also scratch the skin and pull the hair. Make sure that the comb or brush used to groom your pet is comfortable for the animal.

Though a certain type of brush or comb is recommended for specific coat types, it is of no use if your pet won't allow you to use it. Find a grooming device that is both effective and accepted by your pet. Be careful not to exert undue pressure while grooming your pet, particularly in naturally sensitive areas.


Tolerance Training

To improve your pet's tolerance of being petted or groomed, withhold all petting or grooming for several weeks. When you resume grooming and petting, identify the circumstances most often related to your pet's intolerance. How long does it take for your pet to reach the limit of its tolerance and react negatively to grooming or petting?

Once you know at what point your pet becomes predictably irritable, stop well short of the limit. If you discover that your pet resents these activities at certain times of day, you may wish to reschedule them. If your cat is most playful and agitated in the evening, as many are, it might be best to brush it in the afternoon, just before its nap.

   
Make sure the comb or brush used to groom your pet is comfortable

Training Your Pet To Tolerate Nail Trimming

Some cats resent having their paws held or their nails trimmed. This intolerance is partly instinctive in young animals, and may also be learned from an unpleasant experience during nail trimming.

The living portion of the nail bed contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels (the quick).  If toenails are cut too short, a  cat learns that nail trimming is painful. This negative experience is not easily forgotten. Once a cat has learned to anticipate discomfort when its feet are touched, its evasive reaction can intensify each time. Most cats rarely need to have their claws cut if they use a scratch post.

Training Tips

If your cat is instinctively cautious about having its feet touched, and even if it shows no sign of withdrawing its paw, teach your cat that this interaction is not unpleasant.

Before you ever attempt to trim your cat's nails, begin by touching its legs, feet, and toes, and associate this with an activity it enjoys. When it is resting, begin petting it, gently passing your hands over its back and legs. If this is well tolerated, you may wish to give it a small food treat. Do not try to do too much the first time.

Gradually manipulate your cat's foot more each time. Eventually, you should be able to slip your fingers in between each toe, gently squeezing each one to flex the nail, putting gentle pressure as you hold each foot and manipulate the leg. Do not attempt this exercise when your cat is in an agitated or playful state, as it is most likely to resent any restriction to its movement. Once your cat tolerates having its feet touched during quiet times, you may begin to incorporate this into elements of play time.


Trimming Tips

If you are unsure of how to trim your pet's toenails, ask your veterinarian or a technician to show you how. They can show you where the sensitive nerves and blood vessels are likely to be found. The nail bed is seen as a pinkish triangle at the base of the nail; however, it may not be evident in dark-colored nails.

There is more variety between the shape of toe nails in dogs than in cats. Some pets' nails grow in a more curved shape, as compared with those growing more parallel to the ground. This may determine how short they may be trimmed. Even a skilled professional can misjudge the depth to which a nail may be trimmed. It is also not uncommon for a pet to withdraw a foot while the nail is being clipped, because of pressure on sensitive nail areas.

It is better to cut less than to cut more than necessary! Trim off small sections at a time and stop well short of the sensitive part of the nail. Cutting the nail too short results in a painful experience for your pet. Cut your pet's nails frequently, a little at a time, rather than occasionally when toe nails are uncomfortable to both your pet and to you. In this way, nail trimming will become a routine event, rather than a periodic wrestling match. Continue to manipulate your pet's feet and toes between nail trims so that it remains a familiar sensation.

It is better to cut less than to cut more

Problem Pedicures

If your dog or cat has already had an unpleasant experience with nail trimming, you can train it to tolerate it by starting from the beginning. Even if you have followed the preliminary training steps above, start over as if its feet had never been conditioned to manipulation and gradually desensitize your pet to this interaction once again. Your veterinarian may recommend a small dose of a mild, anti-anxiety medication to facilitate retraining in extreme cases. 

Phobias

Fear and anxiety are normal responses to danger. When these defensive reactions are out of proportion with the actual threat presented by the situation, it is called a phobia. Physical changes that accompany phobias may be exaggerated, such as rapid breathing. Panic may be displayed by frantic attempts to escape. Fear-induced aggression may be directed toward anything or anyone approaching too closely or blocking a path to safety.

Phobias may develop gradually over time after several fearful experiences, or the initial experience may be so stressful that the phobic response may appear immediately during or after the first experience. When a pet has developed a phobic response to something, it rarely resolves without intervention.

Fear of the Veterinary Hospital

It is exceptional that a pet does not develop some anxiety when it visits the veterinarian. If the visit is made because of a medical problem, your pet may sense your concern and anticipate an impending problem. An element of fearful anticipation is normal in unfamiliar situations. When the discomfort of an injection or postoperative pain, or anxiety from separation and confinement become associated with the veterinary hospital, subsequent visits can trigger a negative response.

Your pet may express this conditioned fear by attempting to escape or becoming somewhat aggressive. Some pets become frozen by fear, displaying unusually calm and passive behavior. When defensive responses exceed the expected normal range, they are classified as phobias.

Phobic responses in cats and dogs are potentially dangerous to them and to the veterinary staff. An animal risks injury to itself as well as to those that are dedicated to its care. Diagnosis and treatment are difficult when the patient cannot cooperate with caregivers. Additionally, a sick or injured pet may complicate its own condition if it fears visits to the veterinary hospital.


It is often helpful to:

• Begin this process by getting your pet used to being in the car and pet carrier. The annual examination and vaccination may be the only time your pet is transported in the car or in a carrier.

• Make frequent, short trips to the veterinary office that do not culminate in pain or discomfort.

• Enlist the cooperation of veterinary employees by asking them to spend time playing with or petting your pet during off hours. If your pet cannot reliably predict which visit may result in discomfort, its anxious anticipation may fade.

• Give a special treat to your pet that it gets only at the time of this visit. If visits result in a pleasant experience, your pet's fear may lessen.

Related Topic: Aggression at the Veterinarian's Office

Fear of Automobile Travel

Fear of car travel is related to several factors. A pet may be anxious because of confinement in a restricted space, the motion of the car, or the anticipation of its destination. A pet that goes for car rides only when it is going to the veterinarian's office can easily make a negative connection with the car. Many young animals are instinctively afraid of unfamiliar situations. If they are gradually exposed to driving in the car for frequent short trips, however, most adjust well.

Your pet can become well adapted to car travel, using these steps:

• Begin by spending time with the pet in your parked car, with the ignition off.
  
• Feed your pet a few meals in the car, or simply interact with your pet in some other positive way, such as petting or brushing the animal in the car. It can be helpful to withhold these forms of interaction from your pet until you are in the car.
  
• If your pet is so afraid initially that it will not eat in the car, feed it at the most comfortable distance from the car and make each feeding progressively closer.
  
• When your pet is relaxed and comfortable in the parked car, turn on the motor without actually driving anywhere. Open the window slightly to keep fresh air circulating.
  
• Gradually extend brief trips, to the end of the driveway, around the block, and then farther.

If necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe a sedative or tranquilizer to calm your pet for car travel. However, medication should not replace the slow, methodical steps to reduce the phobic response

.

Fear of Unfamiliar People or Places

Unfamiliar situations and people are unnerving to many pets. A pet's territorial and social nature, combined with past experiences in new places with new people, helps to determine its reactions. The ability to adapt to a variety of situations is, in part, a learned ability.

A dog that is confined or that has limited opportunity to socialize with others may develop antisocial behavior later in life. The critical period of socialization to people is between 6 and 14 weeks of age. This important developmental phase may occur even sooner in kittens.

Pets may respond fearfully toward certain people. This does not necessarily mean that the pet has had a past negative experience with that person or another person. A pet that is fearful of men, for example, has not necessarily been abused by a man in the past. A fear of men, common to many pets, is likely a reflection of inadequate socialization to males as compared with females.

A young pet should be exposed to a variety of social situations early in life to prevent problems later, but it should not be forced to endure any situation that makes it uncomfortable. Play groups with other dogs during group obedience class, for instance, is important for every young dog. Bring your puppy to the playground to socialize it to children from the start. Your extra efforts now could have invaluable pay-offs later in a variety of social interactions that you may not predict now. Shyness in adult pets must be met with patience. The pet should be coaxed with food treats and gentle verbal praise.

Fear of Other Pets

A pet that has had a previous negative experience may fear interaction with other pets. Cats or dogs that have been raised without exposure to other pets may react negatively in social situations with other pets. These fears do not often cause problems, however, unless another pet is introduced into the household.

When a pet exhibits an extremely fearful response to other dogs or cats, attempts can be made to desensitize the animal by exposure to the feared animal for gradually increasing periods, similar to the process used for loud noises.

Fear of social interaction can be prevented by exposing your pet to a variety of positive encounters with other pets while it is still young, ideally less than 6 months old. Play groups between friendly pets are beneficial to your pet on many levels. Find one or start one in your neighborhood today!

Excessive Grooming

It is important to determine whether excessive grooming began in response to an underlying medical problem or whether an underlying behavioral problem created a medical condition. It is often necessary to treat the pet for both the behavioral and medical problems that contributed to the skin problem, regardless of how it began.

Sucking In Cats

Psychogenic Licking In Cats

Underlying Medical Conditions

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