don’t bite me!

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Don’t bite me! Safe Cat Handling October 7, 2011 Tania Huycke-Phillips, Foster & Facilities Coordinator

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Training PowerPoint on reading cat behavior and improving cat care to reduce cat stress in the animal shelter, and also reduce cat bite occurences in shelter staff and volunteers.

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Page 1: Don’t Bite Me!

Don’t bite me!

Safe Cat Handling

October 7, 2011Tania Huycke-Phillips, Foster & Facilities Coordinator

Page 2: Don’t Bite Me!

What were we doing before the cat bit or tried to bite?

• Cleaning it’s cage• Carrying/holding it• Putting dogs or other cats near it• Putting it near other cats or dogs• Putting it in sight of other cats or dogs• Performing medical procedures• Trespassing/disturbing its territory

Page 3: Don’t Bite Me!

What was the cat doing before the cat bit or tried to bite?

• Cowering in the back• Vocalizing (growling, hissing, yowling)• Stiff, tense body• Flicking tail tightly, or tail tucked tightly• Pupils dilated, bug-eyed, or direct stare• Ears back or to the side• Ill or in pain

Adult animals can inhibit their bite. If they bit hard, they meant to.

Page 4: Don’t Bite Me!

Concerns for Confined Cats

• Presence of other cats or dogs disturbing• Need somewhere to hide• Difference between feral and pet cats• Resources and position• Need for control and predictability• Need for outlet of natural behaviors• Aggression often fear orientated• Behavior in the cage may not reflect

behavior in the home.

Page 5: Don’t Bite Me!

Furnishing the Cage – Stressed Cat

• Before you open a cage, close doors!• Sanitize hands between (scent & health)• Somewhere to hide: litter box, bed, paper bag • Bedding & toys • Cover front with towel• Litter, food, water at front of cage• Canned food if not eating• Minimal disturbance – spot clean• Only remove items if soiled (scent comfort)• Difficult cat – play the claw game to pull items

forward (Don’t reach in!)

Page 6: Don’t Bite Me!

Handling Cat in Cage• Prevent cat from seeing other cats • If reacting (growling, hissing), do not touch

(redirected aggression) • Watch surroundings (someone bringing a cat or

dog through, water spray)• Try to get cat to come to you (cat makes

decision, start on positive note)• Lift with control, point away from other cats• If you must move a feral or aggressive cat, use a

net• Uses carriers always when moving!

Page 7: Don’t Bite Me!

Removing cat from carrier

• Allow cat to move out of its territory on its own• Assess body language and if ok, reach into carrier,

scruff cat and remove• If cat is tense, remove top of carrier, scruff cat and

remove, or place towel over cat’s head and body and remove animal

• If aggressive, do not remove from carrier, put entire carrier in cage with door open

Page 8: Don’t Bite Me!

Restraint Precautions!

• MINIMAL restraint! Use the least amount of restraint necessary to accomplish the task. Can adjust to more restraint as needed

• Close all portals in the room (doors, drawers, cabinets)

• Work in an area cleared of debris• Use pill poppers• READ CAT’S BODY LANGUAGE!• Ask for help!

Page 9: Don’t Bite Me!

Restraining the Head

Scruffing: grabbing loose skin behind head and neck • Grab high for better control of head. • Support body when lifting – never lift cat by scruff

alone!

Page 10: Don’t Bite Me!

Lateral Restraint1. With one hand, scruff cat and brace the same arm

against the cat’s spine2. Grasp rear limbs in other hand and roll cat on side3. Hold top rear limb and tail, while using edge of hand

to put pressure on lower rear limb

4. Struggling cats - wrap with towel, muzzle, or ask for help!

Ideal for:Blood draws for FeLV or Triple Tests

Page 11: Don’t Bite Me!

Restraint Equipment – Cat Muzzles

• Size Matters!• Grasp scruff and one tab of

muzzle with same hand• Bring muzzle up and around other side of face and

secure on top behind ears tightly (velcro)• Make sure cat’s nostrils are exposed

Page 12: Don’t Bite Me!

Escape!

Cat is calm:•Pick up safely with control and put cat in clean crate if cat consistently escapes•Don’t allow to wander: risk of spreading disease, may get stressed by other cats, or may cause stress to other cats

Cat is stressed/fearful/aggressive/feral:•Keep room door closed.•Inform a supervisor always!•Only supervisors and specifically approved staff are allowed to capture escaped dangerous cats.

Page 13: Don’t Bite Me!

Special Handling EquipmentYou must be trained in how to use these items safely before using on own•Gauntlet gloves*• Towels*• Carrier• Squeeze net• Pole net*Cat can bite through!

Page 14: Don’t Bite Me!

Why? To avoid this: