Chapter
Part One
Understanding Feline Behaviour
1 The Origin and Evolution of the Domestic Cat
The beginnings of feline domestication
Ancient Egypt – the hub of domestication
Historical Attitudes Towards Cats
The Cat in the Ancient Egyptian religion
European attitudes to cats from the Middle Ages and beyond
Behavioural and personality traits of cat breeds
Current Attitudes Towards Cats and Keeping Cats as Pets
Why do we keep cats as pets?
Feline behaviour problems
Olfaction (Sense of Smell)
Strained intensity sounds
Defensive and antagonistic sounds
Vocalizations of kittens and nursing females
Other facial ‘expressions’ or movements
4 Social, Feeding and Predatory Behaviour
The social behaviour of feral cats
What is the advantage of social grouping?
The social behaviour of pet cats
Social groupings in multi-cat households
Signs often misinterpreted as evidence of social bonding
Signs (other than fighting) of an antagonistic relationship
Social behaviour with people
How do our pet cats view us?
5 Kitten to Cat – Reproduction and the Behavioural Development of Kittens
Reproductive Behaviour of Tomcats
Reproductive Behaviour of the Queen
Signs of imminent parturition
Parturition (giving birth – sometimes referred to as ‘queening’)
Frustration during weaning
Physical and Behavioural Development of Kittens
Influences on behaviour in utero (before birth)
The Nutritional Status of the Mother.
Postnatal physical development
Socialization to cats, other species and people
The influence of the mother and littermates during the sensitive period
Behavioural signs associated with pain
Changes in grooming behaviour
The physiological stress response
The sympathetic–adrenal medullary axis (SAM axis)
The hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis)
The impact of stress on feline welfare
The Impact of Stress on Physical Health
Feline idiopathic cystitis
Feline infectious peritonitis
Upper respiratory tract infection
Dermatological conditions
Psychogenic alopecia (stress-related over-grooming)
Pathological skin diseases
The gastrointestinal system
Alterations in gastrointestinal motility
Feline oral facial pain syndrome (FOPS)
Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome
The cardiovascular system
The Impact of Stress on Mental and Emotional Health
Stress and common feline behaviour problems
Over-grooming/self trauma
Acute Stress – the Influence on Physiological Parameters
Observable Signs of Stress in Cats
Physiological signs associated with sympathetic activation
Behavioural signs of emotional stress
7 Learning, Training and Behaviour
Practical feline examples
Operant conditioning (or instrumental learning)
Practical feline examples
Practical feline examples
Training reward or reinforcer
Unintentional reinforcement
Basic principles of secondary reinforcement training
Practical feline examples
Shaping behaviour (successive approximation)
Practical feline examples
Modifying (changing) unwanted behaviour
Practical feline examples
Redirecting behaviours or offering alternative targets
Practical feline examples
Factors Influencing Learning
Motivation – learning new behaviour
Practical feline examples
Motivation – modifying unwanted behaviour
Practical feline examples
Context-specific learning
Practical feline examples
Health and cognitive abilities
Practical feline examples
Part Two
Practical Feline Behaviour
The Responsibility of the Breeder in the Prevention of Behaviour Problems
Selection of Queen and Stud
Minimizing pre-natal stress
Preparation of the nest site
Signs that giving birth is imminent
Natural weaning vs weaning following hand-rearing
Socialization with other cats
Socialization with other animals
Socialization with people
Frequency of handling and other considerations
9 Advice for Prospective Cat Owners
Is a Cat the Best Pet for You?
A cat may not be your best choice of pet if any of the following are the main reasons you want a cat:
As a ‘second choice’ of pet or as a replacement for a dog
As a small pet that requires little space
As a pet that requires little financial input
As company for an existing cat
Pedigree or non-pedigree?
The Importance of Early-life Influences
What to Look For and What to Avoid
At what age should a kitten leave its mother to go to its new home?
If acquiring an adult cat or older kitten
Bringing your New Cat or Kitten Home
Preparation of a ‘safe room’
Indoor Cat or Outdoor Access?
Electric containment systems
A purpose-built enclosure
Real or perceived threats from outside when your cat is indoors
Cats, Babies and Children
Avoiding House-training Issues
Preventing Human-directed Aggression
11a Part 1 – The Cat in the Veterinary Clinic
The Journey to the Practice
Greeting and Speaking to Clients
Recognizing stress in hospitalized cats
Nursing care of hospitalized cats
Removing a cat from a hospital cage
Returning home following hospitalization
Reducing the possibility of problems following hospitalization
11b Part 2 – Advising Clients: Prevention and Treatment of Feline Behaviour Problems
Nurse/Technician Behavioural Clinics
Preparing a client handout
Why might behavioural first aid advice be necessary?
Time and resource limitations
Dos and don’ts of providing first aid behavioural advice
Referral or Treat ‘In-house’
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council
Synthetic facial pheromones
Cat-appeasing pheromone (CAP)
Feline interdigital semiochemical (FIS)
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
The efficacy and safety of CAM
12 Advice for Other Cat Carers
Basic behavioural and welfare needs
Advice for Shelters and Catteries
Construction, design and furniture
Housing two or more cats together
Minimizing stress and conflict in a communal enclosure
Introducing a new cat to a communal enclosure
Husbandry and general care procedures
Admitting new cats to the shelter or cattery
Cat Sitters (Advice for Sitters and Owners)
Seek and follow expert help and advice
Try to maintain a stable group
Appendix 1
Environmental Enrichment
Food Foraging and Food Puzzles
Reference and Further Reading
Lights, laser pens or shadows
How to Tell if the Cat is Interested in Play
Appendix 3
Reducing Resource Competition in a Multi-cat Household
Feed household cats separately with a good distance between their food dishes
Provide extra feeding areas
Provide water dishes in various locations away from food dishes
Provide ample, comfortable resting places at various levels
Provide at least one litter tray per cat plus one extra, with each tray in a separate location
Control of undesirable behaviours
Appendix 5
Introducing an Additional Cat to your Household
Points to Consider Before Getting Another Cat
Early experience with other cats
Previous experience of living with other cats
Introducing a kitten to an adult cat
The relationship between currently resident household cats
Correct Introductions: Increasing the Chances that a New Cat and Resident Cat(s) will Accept Each Other
Preparation of a ‘safe room’
Bringing the new cat home
Appendix 6
Helping a Grieving Cat
Getting another cat might not be the best idea
Try to keep to your cat’s normal routine
Don’t throw away the other cat’s bedding, etc.
Be available for your cat
Appendix 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
Choosing your cat or kitten
Teach your dog a ‘look at me’ command
Preparation of a ‘safe room’
Bringing the new cat home
Introducing the dog and cat to each other
Introducing a Dog or Puppy into a Home with a Resident Cat
Choosing your dog or puppy
After bringing the dog or puppy home
Magnetic or infra-red operated
Training Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap
Appendix 9
Teaching Your Cat to Come to You When You Call
Appendix 10
Cats, Babies and Children
Once the baby has arrived
Appendix 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
Encouraging your cat or kitten to eliminate outside
House-training ‘Accidents’
House-Training Problem or Scent-Marking?
Appendix 12
Training Your Cat to Like the Cat Carrier
Teaching your cat to accept the cat carrier
Encourage with food treats
Encourage with comfortable and safe bedding
Shutting the door of the carrier
Appendix 13
Medicating Your Cat
Physically Medicating the Cat
Advice for the person holding the cat
Advice for the person giving the pill or tablet
Using a pill-giver or pill-popper
Applying a Spot-on Treatment
Appendix 14
Teaching your Cat or Kitten to Accept Veterinary Examination
Examining the Feet and Clipping the Nails
Appendix 15
First Aid Advice for Common Feline Behaviour Problems
General Advice for all Problems
Is your cat going to the toilet (eliminating) in the wrong place or is he scent marking?
Fighting in a Multi-cat Household
Appendix 16
Friend or Foe
Signs of a Friendly Relationship
Signs of a Bad Relationship
Signs of a ‘Tolerant’ Relationship
Appendix 17
Approaching, Stroking and Picking Up
Appendix 18
Recognizing Stress
Physiological Signs of Stress
Behavioural Signs of Stress
Practical Feline Behaviour
：Understanding Cat Behaviour and Improving Welfare
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