Cat Behaviour Flashcards

Cat Behavior

• Kittens are born deaf and blind and are dependent on their mother.
• At 3 weeks old, they start moving around and playing, learning predatory behavior.
• The socialization phase lasts from 3-14 weeks, during which they are most receptive to new experiences. During this time, kittens should meet new people, dogs, and noises.
• By 9 weeks old, the window of opportunity for socialization is closing.
• A feral cat cannot be tamed after 14 weeks.
• The juvenile phase lasts from 14 weeks to 6 months and is dominated by playing to help learn hunting and socializing. Cats become sexually mature at 6 months old.

How Cats Learn

• Trial and error
• Observation: learning from watching their mother, other cats, and animals
• Punishment: not effective and may only work in the short term
• Action and reward: learning through rewards following an action

Feeding Time Rules

• Finding food is a major motivator for cats. Even a well-fed cat will enjoy hunting. A feral cat needs to consume 10 mice a day to meet its nutritional needs.
• Cats stalk prey and graze rather than gorge. They naturally prefer to graze on small meals each day rather than larger meals.
• Cats naturally spend a significant amount of time hunting.
• Dry food allows cats to graze, though they might overeat due to boredom.
• Wet food spoils quickly and may lead to overeating.
• Active eating involves puzzles, so the cat works for its food.
• Newborn kittens spend 8 hours feeding. By 3 weeks of age, they have quadrupled their birth weight.
• Weaning occurs as kittens reduce their reliance on their mother's milk, around 4 weeks of age.

Sleeping and Biological Rhythms

• A farm cat will sleep for 9 hours, whereas a house cat will sleep for 13 hours.
• Cats lacking mental stimulation may sleep more.
• Cats' sleep is light, with short periods of deeper REM sleep.
• Cats' vision is well adapted to darkness for successful hunting. Farm cats are more active at night.

Sexual Behavior

• Cats reproduce very successfully. Neutered pet cats are more home-loving and won't display troubling behaviors like spraying.
• Female cats become sexually mature at 6-12 months of age. Factors like body condition and daylight length will affect the onset of oestrus.
• Females in heat will spend a week calling, lying on the ground with their backend raised, and yowling. The cycle is 3 weeks long.
• Entire male cats are territorial and will fight other males, putting them at risk of contracting FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).
• Before a fight, there is vocal sparring before a physical fight. The physical act of mating takes less than a minute and causes the queen to ovulate.
• It is possible for a litter of kittens to have different fathers.

Maternal Instincts

• The mother will lick the young to wake them up and direct them to the mammary gland to feed. Licking stimulates bowel and bladder emptying.
• Females may share maternal duties by acting as surrogate mothers.
• They may become aggressive to protect their young.
• They move kittens by the scruff of the neck.

Aggression

• If a cat is aggressive, it may be in pain, scared, or lacking socialization.
• Warning signs before attacking:
  • Growling and hissing
  • Ears flat back
  • Large pupils
  • Arched back
  • Swishing tail
  • Snarling to show canines

Cat Communication

• Cats communicate through smell, scent, and sight.

Reading Body Language

• Interpretation of body language needs to be done in the context of other signals. For example, a cat may swish its tail when excited or angry.
• Body language usually associated with aggression includes:
  • Dilated pupils
  • Ears flat against the head
  • Tail held in an upside-down U shape
  • Arched back (also used when greeting)
• Body language associated with a relaxed or excited disposition includes:
  • Narrow pupils
  • Eyes in a downward position
  • Ears moving in different directions
  • Fanning forwards
• Cats avoid physical confrontation, and body language is geared towards diffusing conflict.

Sense of Hearing

• Well-developed hearing.
• Cats' ears are moveable and funnel sound into the internal ear.
• A kitten's external ear channel is closed over at birth; by day 6-14, the canal opens, and hearing slowly develops.
• A deaf cat will compensate by becoming sensitive to vibrations felt through the paws.

Sense of Smell

• There are 7 ways of producing scent:
  • Urine: each cat has a unique scent to their urine
  • Faeces: scent is distinct based on diet, health, and anal gland secretions
  • Anal and perianal glands: produce pheromones and oils unique to each cat
  • Cheek and chin glands: cats will rub their faces on owners or objects to mark ownership
  • Interdigital glands: located on the feet and leave minute traces of scent
  • Dorsal tail glands: present in males and females and help attract a mate

Distinctive Cat Sounds

• Cats hear a complex range of sounds. Humans cannot hear all the vocal communication.
  • Purring: contentment or self-soothing
  • Meow: a trill that signifies a greeting
  • Wail: angry or unhappy
  • Growl: warning

Cat Health and Care

• Aggression often has a trigger for the behavior.
• Types of aggression: ill or in pain, competing for territory, low tolerance for physical contact.
• How the owner responds is the key to resolving it.
• Finding the trigger will be key to resolving the behavior. For example, a cat who mislearned play behaviors that lead to aggression may need more play with the owner.

Scratching

• To mark territory and scent areas, scratch odors from sweat and scent glands are deposited.
• Scratching may be problematic due to destruction.
• Making several scratching posts available.
• Spraying synthetic cat pheromones on areas usually scratched.

House Training

• Ensure the substrate suits the cat.
• Locate the tray in a quiet corner.
• There should be one tray per cat, as urine and feces used for scent marking may make cats reluctant to share.
• Trays are regularly cleaned.

Excessive Vocalisation

• Oriental breeds such as Siamese are naturally more vocal.
• Females in heat are very vocal.
• Changes of routine can cause a cat to be excessively vocal.
• Learned behavior: when a cat vocalizes and is rewarded with food, they will often learn to repeat the behavior. Instead, energy should be focused on playing with the cat.

Discipline

• Often, it backfires, and rather than learning not to repeat a behavior, the cat has a negative association with the owner instead.
• Remote punishment: e.g., air spray activated if the cat chews furniture.

Extinction

• Ignoring unwanted behavior; in doing so, the cat learns the behavior does not result in getting what it wants.

Preventative Health Care

• Vaccination
• External parasite treatment (fleas and ticks)
• Internal parasite treatment (intestinal worms)
• Meeting all basic needs (food, shelter, warmth)
• Neutering
• Microchipping
• Pet insurance
• Arrangement for holidays

Effects of Aging

• Sleep more
• Move less (arthritis is common)
• Be more prone to diseases (overactive thyroid)
• Groom less

Summary

• Cats are hugely popular pets; however, they have unique needs and behaviors that should be understood by their owners.
• A kitten's key socialization window is 3-14 weeks.
• Cats are naturally solitary.
• A cat has sensitive hearing, which is important for communication and hunting.
• Cats communicate through smell, sound, and sight and will aim to avoid physical confrontation.

Collapse and Unconsciousness

• Why has it collapsed?
  • Alert collapse: collapse with normal mentation
  • Depressed collapse: collapsed but responds to stimuli, sluggish, lethargic, conscious, abnormal
  • Unconscious collapse: check pulse and heart rate, not responding
• Cause of collapse
  • Alert collapse: fractures/orthopedic problem, hiding pain, neurological disease, geriatric dogs common due to back legs not working. This could turn into an unconscious collapse state with an abnormal heart rate.
  • Depressed collapse: mild to moderate shock, pain, chronic, acute
  • Unconscious collapse: normal heart rate - neurological disease, hypoglycemia. Abnormal heart rate - severe shock, immediate attention could lead to death.
• Unconsciousness
  • 2 depths of unconsciousness
    • 1, stupor: an animal is aware of its surroundings but disoriented, in and out of consciousness
    • 2, coma: body functions are present, the animal may not be roused, cannot be woken up
  • To ascertain a level of consciousness, call the animal's name or clap your hands near the head.
  • Avoid touching or shaking them can cause harm, e.g., spine injury, but also puts yourself at risk.
• Signs of unconsciousness
  • Heart rate: weak, could stop
  • Respiration: labored
  • Muscles: relaxed, no resistance
  • Cornea: last resort, hand bacteria
  • Bladder: common

What to do with an Unconscious Collapsed Animal

1. Place the animal on its side and tilt the head up - this allows the airway in the recovery position.
2. Pull the tongue forward (not out of the mouth; if a seizure occurs, the dog may bite down on the tongue) and extend the neck.
3. Gently extend the legs outward - only if muscles are relaxed enough; this allows the chest cavity to open up (increase volume).
4. Check for airway obstruction.
5. Monitor consciousness, breathing, and pulse; administer CPR if necessary.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Is the animal breathing?
  • Visually seeing the chest moving up and down.
  • Can you hear the animal breathing?
  • Can you feel breaths being exhaled? Place the back of your hand by the dog's nose/mouth to feel any breaths, or place the screen of your mobile phone near the mouth where condensation appears.
• No breathing is detected:
  • Initiate breaths.
  • Lift the chin to open the airway, pull the tongue forward (not out of the mouth), seal the mouth closed with one hand.
  • Give 3-5 initial breaths spaced every 3-5 seconds, delivered through the nostrils (mouth-to-nose resuscitation - stay behind the animal when initiating resuscitation to keep yourself safe if they suddenly gain consciousness.
  • To know if your breaths are effective, place a hand on the animal's chest so you know when it's rising or not.
  • Young animals, small species, or brachycephalic (flat nose) breeds may require mouth-to-mouth and nose resuscitation due to their size.
• Check for a pulse
  • Check for a femoral pulse by feeling just inside the top of the hind leg (between knee and groin).
  • Best way to do this is using two fingers and press gently on the skin.
• Administer chest compressions
  • Overlay your hands, lock fingers, and compress the chest over the heart with the palm of your hand, roughly where the front of the elbow touches the chest when lifted.
  • Stand behind the animal.
  • Give 15 compressions at a rate of 100-125 per minute (2 per second), then perform 2 rescue breaths, followed by 15 compressions and repeat.
  • Check pulse every so often at the femoral pulse.
  • For a cat, use 2 fingers instead of your palm.

Shock

• Shock is the medical term for changes that develop when the body attempts to compensate for limited heart function, blood volume, or circulation.
• Organs are not getting adequate blood, which deprives the organs and tissue of oxygen and allows the buildup of waste products.
• Shock is a common sequel to many first aid emergencies and is often the cause of death. Therefore, it should never be underestimated.
• If the state of shock is prolonged, the organs will fail.

Types of Shock

• Hypovolemic shock: due to loss of blood - traumatic injury or loss of fluid to metabolic processes such as dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Distributive shock: AKA toxic shock caused by anaphylaxis or series infection (septicemia) - blood flow being directed away from the circulation system because of a problem with peripheral blood vessels.
• Cardiogenic shock: due to heart failing - no longer pumping blood to lungs
• Obstructive shock: due to something stopping the blood flowing, such as a blood clot (embolism)

Signs of Shock

• How to check for signs of shock
  1. Check heartbeat and breathing
  2. Check the femoral pulse
  3. Check the color of the gums
• Enable the stage of shock the animal is in but can change and deteriorate quickly.

TPR Details

Dog

• Normal Temperature: 38.3 - 38.7°C
• Pulse:
  • Small dog: 90-120 BPM
  • Medium dog: 70-110 BPM
  • Large dog: 60-90 BPM
• Respiration: 10-30 per min

Cat

• Temperature: 38.0 - 38.5°C
• Pulse: 120 - 180 BPM
• Respiration: 20 -30 per min

Dealing with Shock

• Remove the stimuli
• IV support blood circulation - you can’t do
• Stem any blood loss
• Keep the animal still and calm - keeps heart rate as steady as possible
• Keep the animal warm and insulated - can be very cold in shock, reserves energy
• Monitor the animal until veterinary treatment - pulse respiration capillary refill time, mucosal color, state of consciousness

Bleeding

• How serious is the bleed? Three main questions:
  • Where is the bleeding? - observe where the bleed/ feel where it is
  • What does the blood look like? - color differ from the source and movement
  • How many bleeding sites are there? - deal with the bleeding sites that you can see and do not move the dog over.

What Type of Blood Vessel is Damaged?

Arterial

• Spurting in rhythm of the heartbeat
• Blood coming from directly from the heart
• Serious bleeding; the animal could bleed out very quickly, losing consciousness

Venous

• The amount of blood loss is dangerous

Capillary

• Very slow bleed
• Can be very painful
• Less serious in terms of blood loss

How to Deal with a Hemorrhage

• Apply pressure and / or bandaging to the wound site:
  • Direct pressure - try to use absorbent items.
  • Direct digital pressure - small wound site, use your fingers
  • Bandaging or dressings - first aid kit with you, pressure to wound, absorb the blood
  • Indirect pressure - used when possible to press an artery against the bone. Only use it if your confident.

Types of Wounds

• Incised wounds: clean edges often caused by sharp objects, e.g., glass. The animal might not feel pain and will heal quickly if cleaned regularly
• Laceration: torn wound, irregular wound caused by barbed wire, fighting with other animals, hit by car. Bleed easily, contaminated with dirt, bacteria, pathogens easily infected, flush with saline solution to reduce risk of infection
• Puncture: small holes cause serious underline damage, caused by bites, nails, depth can allow bacteria to track further into the body causing complications to heal bottom upwards. Need to be flushed thoroughly. Small holes can close quickly, sealing the bacteria which can turn into a painful abscess or pus pocket; this can cause the pet to gain a fever, anorexic, lethargic. The abscess will rupture on its own, and it can take several weeks. Pets can suffer from toxic shock.
• Abrasion: a graze, skin surface isn't broken, the result of being hit by cars aka road rash. Abrasion can be caused by dog fights. Extremely painful and can get infected. The behaviour will change with pain and can react aggressively.
• Contusion: a bruise, injured tissue or skin, must be monitored closely. A cold compress is only useful in the first few minutes of impact occurring. Major trauma and bruising on the abdomen mark the bruise and wait 10 minutes; if the bruising has enlarged, it's a sign of internal bleeding and must be seen immediately
• Degloved: skin removed, skin is removed from underlying tissue, heavily contaminated often caused by road traffic collision, tissue usually dies and sloths away from the bone due to damage. Needs surgery
• Gunshot: one or more entry sites, internal damage deal with the bleed and then shock that might occur. Veterinary help will be needed.

Bandaging

• Why are bandages important?
  • Support: help reduce pain levels and swelling and gives additional support for internal fractures
  • Protection: self-mutilation
  • Pressure: ensure hemorrhage is appropriate
  • Immobilization: aid pain relief

The Rules of Bandaging

• Clean hands & prepare equipment
• Keep the bandage rolled up - helps keep the right tightness but also so the dog doesn't bite at it or falls. Distal way up
• Overlap the bandage - a figure of 8 pattern, the animal will try to remove the bandage
• For lower limbs and tail, start at the distal end
• Put cotton wool between the toes
• Secure bandage with tape or vet wrap
• Check tightness - prevent blood flow, not loose enough for it to come off.

Bandaging Layers

1. Initial layer: absorbent dressing
2. Primary layer: cushioned padding
3. Secondary layer: conforming bandage - stretchiness
4. Tertiary layer: adhesive bandage - vet wrap or flexy

How to Apply a Limb Bandage

• Start at the distal end
• Apply cotton wool padding at the digits to prevent the digits rubbing against each other and causing sores
• 2 layers over the paw front to back
• 8 figure pattern
• Go over the joint of injury
• Check the tightness; a finger should be able to go in.

Fractures

Types of Fractures

• Causes of fractures
• Direct impact: the most common fracture
• Falling from height
• Entrapment: leg caught
  • Signs and symptoms
• Obvious deformity
• Lameness
• Pain
• Swelling / bruising
• Shock
• Behavioral changes
• Paralysis: nerves are affected

Dealing with a Fracture

• Carefully restrain the animal - do not interfere with the fracture area
• Watch for shock - vet called
• Stem bleeding and clean the wound - apply pressure might not be appropriate
• Support the fractured limb
• Important - only apply a dressing and /or splint under the instruction of a vet

Seizures

Types and Causes of Seizures

• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Poisoning
• Low blood sugar levels
• Calcium deficiency
• Lack of oxygen
• Kidney or liver disease
• Raised body temperature
• Infection
• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• It is common dogs urinate and defecate when seizuring

How to Deal with a Seizure

• A seizure is the result of a constantly electrical firing of the muscle of the body from the brain
• 15-2 hours of recovery time
• Do not touch the animal
• Protect them from further injury
• Reduce stimuli such as lights/noise
• Time the seizure and note behavior
• Will be thirsty after seizure
• Call the vet

Choking and Drowning

Choking

• Only intervene if the animal is struggling to clear the obstruction themselves
• Take great care to avoid being bitten
• Attempt to view the obstruction
• Use tools to try and remove the obstruction - stick or wooden spoon handle
• Choking is common in the puppies
• If you cannot get rid of the obstruction do the Heimlich manoeuvre

Drowning

• Never risk your own life trying to save an animal in water
• Carry out CPR if necessary
• Keep the animal warm and watch out for hypothermia
• Try to drain water from the lungs
• Transport to a vet

Heatstroke and Hypothermia

Heatstroke (Hyperthermia)

• Often caused by excessive exercise, left in a hot car, seizures
• When the animal's temperature rises higher than the animal's natural body temperature
• The signs are rapid breathing, a reddish tongue, and pale gums
• Look at the weather; if it's a hot day, heat stroke can occur
• Thick dog coats are susceptible to heat stroke
• Cool the animal slowly using water/wet towels/fan
• Go to the vet ASAP

Hypothermia

• Caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures
• Presentation with strong shivers and drowsiness
• Shock can also cause the body temperature to drop
• Warm the animal slowly using insulating material such as a foil blanket, bubble wrap, or blankets - fastest warming materials
• Call the vets ASAP

Burns and Scalds

What can Cause Burns / Scalds?

Bruns

• Dry heat (fire)
• Electricity: commonly found in puppies and rabbits
• Excessive cold: rare can cause burn
• Corrosive chemicals: eyes or skin comes in contact with acid may cause reaction on the skin and can affect the internal organs if swallowed

Scalds

• Boiling water/steam
• Hot tar
• Hot oil
• How to deal with burns/scalds
  • Cool the area - wet material, running water to reduce the heat in the tissues
  • Do not apply any ointment on the skin or coat
  • Ensure the animal is warm enough
  • Cover the burn site with cling film - do not dress the burn can cause further distress to the animal
  • Monitor for shock
  • Transport to a vet ASAP

Poisoning

• Xylitol: peanut butter, make sure the peanut butter does not have xylitol Dealing with poisoning
  • Allow the animal to vomit - don't interfere
  • Call the vet
• When was the poison ingested?
• What is the poison?
• How much poison?
• What symptoms are presented? - shock
• Never induce vomiting unless instructed by the vet

Bites and Stings

Snake Bites

• The most common bites that animals may suffer in the UK are adder bites. However, exotics snakes may escape if kept as pets.
• Symptoms include pain, lethargy, and anaphylactic shock
• Species of snake - non - venomous wash the area and keep clean. Venomous go to vets and can administer anti-venom
• Rest the animal and keep them calm to reduce the absorption of the venom
• Seek veterinary attention immediately

Insect Stings

• When stung, the animal may yelp and scratch the affected area
• Stings are not normally severe unless stung in the mouth causing swelling and airway blockage
• Monitor of location of the sting and reaction of the animal
• Can be painful so apply soothing solutions - bee sting bicarbonate soda counteract sting area, wasp sting use vinegar

Common Emergencies

Head Trauma

• Quite rare, but usually caused by RTC or severe animal attack
• May see a difference in pupil size and rapid eye movement as well as bleeding, disorientation, seizure and loss of consciousness
• Dogs have thicker skulls and are less common in dogs
• Any signs of head trauma immediately taken to vets
• Cuts bruises lumps on the head, bleeding from the noise, confusion, lethargic, paralysis, coma
• Immediate veterinary attention
• Keep the animal warm and calm
• Check for shock and administer CPR if necessary

Hypoglycemia

• Caused by low blood sugar
• Primary source of energy, decrease ability to function
• Diabetes: properly produce insulin or glucose, insulin injections are given
• Cancer, sepsis, pregnancy,
• Low level of glucose in the blood
• Pancreatitis
• Symptoms include weakness, disorientation, a change in appetite and thirst, seizure and coma, anxiety, heart palpitations, depression
• Rub glucose syrup or sugar water into the gums - the best way to be absorbed quickly

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

• Is normal in any pet, but it should not last more than 48 hours
• Give bland food and regular fluid - keep hydrated as loose a lot of water when vomiting and diarrhoea
• Consult a vet if affecting a vulnerable animal (elderly) or lasting more than 48 hours

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)

• Aka bloat or gastric torsion
• Common in great danes
• Life-threatening
• A buildup of food and gases causes the stomach to dilate, causing catastrophic complications
• Rotation of the stomach also known as volvulus
• Has an effect on blood supply and organs
• Exercise - swings the stomach and can cause a twist in the stomach
• Signs include anxiety and panting, standing and stretching, drooling, bloated stomach and retching unusual behavior, nauseous, elevated heart rate

Prolapsed Eye

• Caused by a trauma to the face or eye
• The eye pops out of the socket (still attached by an artery)
• Life-threatening if the artery is severed
• Flat face dogs prolapsed eye is common
• The animal can still see but very blurry - will cause the dog to panic
• Prevent the animal from pawing at the eye
• Protect the artery to restrain the animal
• Wrap the eye in lubricated sterile swab - olive oil can be used
• Get to the vet ASAP

Managing a First Aid Scenario

• Keep calm and do not panic
  • Rule one - delegate, use the people around you,
  • Rule two - assess - look around any clues or information about the injury
  • Rule three - administer first aid - respond accordingly, CPR can be exhausting, ask someone to help you, delegate someone to help restrain
  • Rule four - call the vet, contact the vet for advice and your arrival and give as much information to them about the animal and situation,
  • Rule five - transport to the vet, consider how your going to get the animal safely to the vets, make decisions on how to transport them, show images or notes you have made

Pet First Aid Kit

Essential Contents

Bandaging Materials

• Absorbent dressing - initial layer
• Cushioned padding - primary layer
• Conforming bandage - secondary layer
• Adhesive bandage - tertiary layer

Other Contents

• Tweezers: removing small objects
• Scissors: trim matted fur, bandaging scissors
• Microporous tape: secure dressings
• Irrigation pods: sterile solution, flush out wounds
• Surgical gloves: health and safety
• Emergency foil blanket: keep animal warm
• Large towel: shivering heavily and shock, stretcher, transport animal,
• Bubble wrap: insulator tool, wrapping around animal
• Tick remover: remove ticks, external parasite that feeds of the blood, infections,
• Petroleum jelly: burns for protection
• Cling film: a burn protection layer
• Contact details and medical records form