Lecture 26: Communication and Indicators of Animal Intent: Canine and Feline

Dog FAS Scale

4-5 Severe FAS

2-3 Moderate FAS

0-1 Low FAS

Signs of a relaxed dog

Relaxed

Soft appearance

neutral body posture

Signs of a defensively threatening dog

Muscle tense

“Whale eye”

Tucked, low to the ground

What is the defensively threatening dog probably feeling?

That they don’t like something and would rather run away than fight

If you see this STOP and make a behavior management plan

Signs of an offensively threatening dog

“hard & stiff”

Erect

growling, barking

Hard stare

What is an offensively threatening dog probably thinking?

This dog is ready and willing to aggress.

VITAL to recognize these signs and avoid escalation

A offensively threatening dog is still one that is?

Fearful

How a “normal” human approach is off putting to a dog?

we are taught to meet & greet people with a direct approach while making direct eye contact, we often move quickly and lean forward to shake hands or offer a hug, etc

Dogs prefer an indirect approach!

Dogs great each other more indirectly for example?

Lateral approach, polite sniffing, averted gaze, play bow

What happens if a dog who approaches other dogs w/ forward, direct behavior?

This dog is perceived as threatening and may elicit fear +/- aggression

Examples of appropriate help dogs understand that we intend no harm. body language to

Turn your body to the side

Approach the side, rather than front of dog

Bend at the knees rather than the waist

Avoid directly, prolonged stares

Pat the side of your leg

Speak in a soft, light-hearted tone of voice

Example of non-threatening approach to dog

Mood scoring of cats

1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified

Signs of relaxed cat

Head resting on surface or over body

purr

loose

Signs of an Alert cat

Head: over the body, some movement Eyes: open normally, pupils normal Ears: normal or erected to front Sounds: none or meow Tail: relaxed, some twitching

Signs of a tense cat

Head: over the body or pressed to body, little or no movement Eyes: wide open, pupils normal to partially dilated Ears: erected to front or back Tail: close to body; tense downwards or curled forward, may be twitching Other: ventral recumbency or “slinking” Sounds: none, meow, or plaintive meow

Signs of an anxious cat

Head: on the plane with body, little or no movement Eyes: wide open, pupils dilated Ears: partially flattened Tail: close to the body; may be curled forward close to body when standing Sounds: none, plaintive meow, growling, yowling Other: increased RR

Signs of a fearful cat

Head: tucked, still Eyes: wide open, pupils fully dilated Ears: fully flattened Tail: close to the body; curled under body when standing Sounds: none, plaintive meow, growling, yowling Other: freezing, fidgeting, escaping, aggression

Signs of a terrified cat

Head: lowered Eyes: pupils fully dilated Ears: fully flattened, back on head Tail: close to body Sounds: spitting, growling, yowling, hissing, shrieking Other: “Halloween Cat” – full piloerection Freezing, fidgeting, escaping, aggression

Common reasons for aggression from a cat in a veterinary setting

Defensive, variable degrees of aggression

Fear or pain related aggression

Confident aggression not seen in this setting

Warning signs of an imminent cat bite

Sudden dilation of pupils

Piloerection

Fast, jerky swishing of tail

Swatting with forearms

Vocalization – yowling, shrieking, spitting

Direct stare with open mouth vocalizations