ANSC 378 LECTURE 11

Explain the behaviors such as why cats chatter their teeth, can be vocal, and sometimes chew on plastic wrappers and other items.
Identify specific behavior problems in cats given a description of the behavior, evaluate the underlying cause, and recommend ways to mitigate.

Vocalization: Cats can be very vocal, with excessive noise potentially caused by:
- Medical problems (e.g., pain, illness)
- Environmental conditions (e.g., loneliness, fear)
- Hunger or discomfort (e.g., dirty litterbox)
- Recent changes at home (e.g., moving, new pets)
Yowling: This behavior is typically observed in female cats who are in heat, serving as a mating call.

Behavior Description: There is no definitive explanation for this behavior. Much depends on the individual cat.
Reasons for Chewing:
- Some cats may be attracted to the smell or texture of plastic bags.
- Others might find the temperature of plastic appealing.
- This chewing may also be categorized as an oral compulsive behavior as mentioned in Chapter 24.

Food Aversions: Include a variety of potential causes for a cat not eating:
- Garcia Effect: A learned aversion where an animal associates the taste of a certain food with illness, leading to avoidance.
- Physical ailments such as:
- Hairball build-up that may lead to a reduced appetite.
- Febrile response from disease; typically returns to normal once the cat recovers.
- Anosmia (loss of smell) linked to upper respiratory illnesses, discouraging feeding as discussed in Chapter 24.

Role of Cats in Ecosystem: Cats are effective at controlling rodent populations on farms and other areas; however, they also significantly impact songbird populations.
Instinctual Behavior: Hunting is driven by innate instincts rather than solely by hunger.
- Mothers teach kittens hunting behavior early on.
- Kittens with earlier hunting experiences tend to be more effective hunters as adults.
Management Suggestions:
- Selecting kittens from prototypically known non-hunters to reduce hunting drive.
- Keeping cats indoors to prevent hunting.
- Attaching a bell to collars as a preventive measure against hunting.
- Recommendations against placing bird feeders on properties where cats reside to protect local wildlife.
- Keep cats away from bird cages if they are indoor cats.

Occurrence: This behavior is typically seen when birds, squirrels, or small prey are present.
Instinctual Reaction: Likely an evolutionary remnant from undomesticated ancestors; it mimics the quick neck bite maneuver that domestic cats perform to kill prey swiftly.
Interpretation: Chattering may reflect excitement or frustration when unable to hunt observed prey.

Aspects of Maternal Care: Critical behaviors include the removal of fetal membranes and heating of kittens. Maternal neglect can lead to severe risks like:
- Hypothermia: If the mother fails to keep the kittens warm or dry.
- Cannibalism: This behavior may stem from a range of factors, notably in larger litters or when the mother feels stressed or in the presence of sick kittens, reflecting behaviors seen in wild felids. It has also been documented in domestic tomcats that are not the litter sire as covered in Chapter 25.

Common Materials: Cats tend to chew on fibers like wool, yarn, and blankets, particularly seen in breeds such as Siamese and Burmese.
Resolution Strategies:
1. Prevention: Limiting access to targeted items or areas where chewing occurs.
2. Remote Punishment: Introducing startling noises to deter chewing.
3. Enrichment: Providing increased interaction with caregivers through play.
4. Providing designated places like window perches or grass gardens.
5. Food Dispensing Toys: To increase meal duration and enrichment, thereby reducing compulsive behaviours as per Chapter 26.

Condition: Known as psychogenic alopecia, excessive grooming leads to significant hair loss when causes from medical issues have been ruled out.
Behavioral Insights: Cats are predisposed to groom, spending up to 8% of their awake time engaging in this behavior, making them susceptible to hairballs from ingestion.
Management Recommendations:
- Identifying and removing stressors or conflicts.
- Encouraging regular playful interaction and creating comfortable resting environments.
- Medication as a potential intervention referenced in Chapter 26 regarding compulsive behaviors.

Common Breeds: The most frequently encountered breeds are domestic shorthairs and longhairs with no specified behavior profile.
Individual Breed Review: Textbooks may detail specific behaviors associated with various breeds such as Siamese, Burmese, Persian, and others.
Implications of Gender in Behavior: Females are less prone to marking or fighting when compared to males.
Care Recommendations:
- Early, short periods of handling positively impact development.
- Minimize long-term social isolation from mothers.
- Weaning should ideally not occur before 2 weeks, typically around 6-8 weeks.
- Early socialization with other cats fosters better adjustment in multi-cat households later, as discussed in Chapter 27.

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