ANSC 378 LECTURE 10

University of Alberta Companion Animal Behaviour

Overview of Behavioral Topics Covered

Focus Areas
  • Cat aggression
  • Marking behavior
  • Scratching behavior
Relevant Textbook Reading
  • Chapters 21-23
    • Feline house soiling
    • Aggression toward people and other cats
    • Inappropriate feline scratching

Learning Outcomes

  • Differentiate between spraying (marking) and litter box aversion behaviours and recommend ways to mitigate.
  • Recognize signs of over-stimulation in a cat.
  • Provide suggestions for ways to mitigate destructive scratching in cats.
  • Explain behaviour concerns associated with declawing in cats.
  • Identify specific behaviour problems in cats given a description, evaluate underlying causes, and recommend ways to mitigate.
  • Differentiate between types of aggression in cats, evaluate underlying causes, and recommend mitigation strategies.

Spraying in Cats

Understanding Spraying
  • Definition: Spraying is a normal behavior in cats. It serves several functions:
    • Demonstrates a cat's presence
    • Advertises sexual availability
    • Maintains territorial boundaries
Reasons for Spraying
  • New threat perceived.
  • Change in the environment (e.g., moving to a new home).
  • Medical problems (e.g., cystitis, diabetes).
  • Frustration with diet or owner.
  • Hard to stop if spraying started before neutering.
References
  • See case study on page 283.

Lack of Litter Box Use

Implications of Lack of Use
  • May indicate a pathophysiological (disease) problem in the urinary system, such as cystitis or gastrointestinal upset.
  • Could be due to painful conditions like arthritis.
  • A cat might continue to exhibit house soiling behavior even after the underlying medical issue has been resolved.
  • Associations have been formed with specific areas, textures, colors, etc., affecting the cat's behavior, influenced also by scent.
  • Sometimes leads to alternative toileting in bathtubs or sinks.
References
  • See Chapter 21.

Signs of Litter Box Aversion

  • Common signs include:
    • Shaking paws after touching litter.
    • Digging outside the box on the room floor.
    • Running from the box after elimination.
Common Causes of Aversion
  • Infrequent cleaning of the litter box or changing of litter.
  • Introduction of new litter materials may confuse the cat.
  • A cat from a shelter might prefer a different type of litter.
  • Strong smells from a new plastic litter box or covered boxes (odor can soak in).
  • Noise from automated litter box cleaners may scare the cat.
  • An aversion to plastic liners due to claws getting caught.
  • Pain or trauma associated with litter box use (e.g., arthritis).
  • Unfavorable location of the litter box (e.g., too busy or startling).
References
  • See Chapter 21.

Making the Litter Box More Appealing

  1. Address identifiable aversive aspects of the litter box or outdoor area.
  2. Increase the appeal and accessibility of the litter box.
  3. Discourage use of inappropriate toileting areas.
  4. Use confinement to reinstate litter box usage as a last resort.
Additional Considerations
  • Cats may prefer different litter depths and types.
  • Ensure the litter box is kept clean and dry, while maintaining a residual smell it associates with a toileting area.
References
  • See Chapter 21 and case study on page 275.

Differentiating Urination Problems

Guidelines for Differentiating Behaviors

  • Inappropriate Urination

    • Posture: Squatting
    • Amount of urine: Emptying bladder
    • Litter box usage: Usually stops using box
    • Target area: Attractive horizontal substrate
    • Precipitating factors: Aversion to litter box, inter-cat interactions, inappropriate defecation (common).

  • Urine Marking/Spraying

    • Posture: Usually standing
    • Amount of urine: Small amounts
    • Litter box usage: Continues to use litter box
    • Target area: Vertical surfaces
    • Precipitating factors: Territory disturbance, social conflict.
References
  • See Chapter 21, Table 21-1.

Feline House Soiling

Inappropriate Elimination Causes
  • Causes:
    • Litter box or outdoor toilet area aversion.
    • Attraction to inappropriate toilet areas.
Potential Resolutions
  • Implement litter box hygiene.
  • Increase attractiveness of litter through preference experiments.
  • Add additional litter boxes.
  • Prepare appealing outside toilet areas.
  • Use enzymatic cleaners for soiled areas.
  • Feed or water cat near inappropriate toileting areas.
  • Use remote punishment for inappropriate areas (with caution).
  • Confine the cat initially, then gradually allow access to the rest of the house.
Urine Marking and Spraying Causes
  • Causes:
    • Territorial or social disturbance from other cats, new household changes.
    • Emotional disturbances, such as anxiety.
    • Neighborhood cats causing visual stimulation.
Resolution Strategies
  • Castrate males.
  • Maintain litter box hygiene.
  • Use enzymatic cleaners on urine spots.
  • Manage inter-cat interactions.
  • Consult veterinarian regarding the use of serotonergic drugs.
References
  • See Chapter 21.

Petting Aggression in Cats

Causes of Petting Aggression
  • Medical factors such as inflammatory polyps, arthritis, dental issues, hip dysplasia, or parasites (e.g., ear mites).
  • Emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, and frustration that heighten sensitivity to touch and decrease threshold for acceptance.
  • Physical elements such as static electricity.
  • Lack of socialization with siblings can contribute to behavioral issues.
Management Tips
  • Ensure your cat is healthy and that emotional needs are addressed.
  • Understand individual cat's petting preferences.
References
  • See Chapter 22.

Signs of Over-Stimulation in Cats

Indicators of an irritated cat include:

  • Flattened ears.
  • Twitching tail.
  • Low growl.
  • Rippling skin.
  • Stiffened body.
Approaches to Petting
  • Use short, gentle strokes mimicking a mother cat’s grooming.
  • Scratching in favored areas (e.g., chin and ears).
  • Implement stop/start methods to give the cat breaks.
  • Gradually increase the cat's threshold using rewards.
References
  • See Chapter 22.

Re-Directed Aggression in Cats

Causes
  • Arousal from aggressive encounters with another cat.
  • Immediate petting of the cat post-arousal can provoke aggression.
Resolution Techniques
  • Avoid interaction with an aroused cat; allow calming behaviors (like eating or grooming) before interacting.
  • Never intervene directly in fights among cats using your hands.
  • Aggression may also be provoked by stimuli such as smells from other cats.
References
  • See Chapter 22.

Play-Related Aggression in Cats

Characteristics
  • Play-related aggression is a natural component of youthful behavior, especially in kittens.
  • Behaviors include playful stalking, pouncing, biting, and scratching directed towards humans.
  • Although it is typical, it may become problematic when directed at people.
Causes and Solutions
  • Results from playful behavior often aggravated by lack of sufficient playtime.
  • Management solutions include avoiding situations that might invoke such behavior and redirecting cats to appropriate play objects.
  • Use remote punishment wisely to mitigate issues.
References
  • See Chapter 22.

Fear-Related Aggression

Causes
  • Established through fear gained from lack of socialization or negative past experiences with people or other cats.
  • May occur in situations where the cat feels cornered.
Descriptive Signs
  • Signs include a crouched stance, flattening of ears, dilated pupils.
Resolution Strategies
  • Gradual desensitization to fear-inducing stimuli is necessary.
  • Counter-conditioning by pairing rewards when engaging with feared items or beings.
  • Avoid forcing interactions as this can provoke aggression.
References
  • See Chapter 22, case study on page 293.

Destructive Scratching in Cats

Reasons for Scratching
  • Natural inclination to remove dead claw layers, mark territory (both visually and by scent), flex their feet and claws, and to release energy.
  • Scratching is a behavioral need that is unrealistic to eliminate completely.
Strategies for Management
  • Redirection of scratching behavior to suitable objects is essential.
References
  • See Chapter 23.

Building Acceptable Scratching Areas

Causes of Destructive Scratching
  • Natural tendency toward territorial marking and preference for suitable scratching textures.
Effective Resolutions
  • Place appealing scratching posts visibly within the home.
  • The scratching post should have appropriate covering material that attracts cats.
  • Make furniture inappropriately scratched unavailable to deter the behavior and implement remote punishment cautiously if necessary.
References
  • See Chapter 23.

Behavioural Effects of Declawing

Surgical Procedure
  • Surgical removal of the claws and the third phalanx from front feet.
  • An alternative method is to perform a surgical incision to remove a segment of the deep digital flexor tendon, which prevents claw flexion while preserving the claw and third phalanx structure.
Consequences of Declawing
  • Declawed cats can still use back claws for climbing but may experience difficulty descending due to the loss of front claws, which hinders their natural defense capabilities.
  • For the welfare of declawed cats, it is recommended they be kept indoors.
  • It is important to note that declawing does not fundamentally change cat behavior.
References
  • See Chapter 23.

Sources

  1. Hart, B.L., Hart, L.A., and Bain, M.J. (2006). Canine and Feline Behavior Therapy. Blackwell Publishing.
  2. Campbell, K.L., and Campbell, J.R. (2009). Companion Animals: Their Biology, Care, Health and Management. Pearson/Prentice Hall.
  3. Factsheets: Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org).
  4. Turner, D.C., and Bateson, P. (2000). The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour. Cambridge.
  5. Jensen, P. (2017). The Ethology of Domestic Animals: An Introductory Text. CAB International.
  6. Case, L.P. (2010). Canine and Feline Behavior and Training: A Complete Guide to Understanding Our Two Best Friends. Delmar Cengage Learning.
  7. Blackshaw, J. (1986). Notes on Some Topics in Applied Animal Behavior. ISBN 0 9592581 0 8.
  8. Photos sourced from: Microsoft Clip Art; Wikimedia Commons.