Feline Behavior

Industry

American Association of Feline Practitioners

• Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

http://www.abvp.com/categories_feline.htm

Industry

http://www.avbt.net/index.shtml

Industry

http://www.svbt.org/

Statistics

Dogs 78.2 Million owned

60% own one dog29% own two dogs

$248/year

Cats 86.4 Millionowned

33% own one cat52% own two cats

$219/year

The Humane Society of the United States. (2011). U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. Retrieved March 8, 2012 from http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

Feline Development• Similar to dogs, kittens are born with ears and

eyes closed.– Ears open as early as 5 days, but no sound orientation

until ~ 2 weeks of age.– Eyes open ~ 7-10 days old.

• Vision develops slowly and is fully developed at 3-4 months.

• First 2 weeks of life = dragging via forelimbs– Also require queen’s stimulation to urinate and defecate.

Feline Socialization• MOST important between 2-7 weeks of age.– As little as 15 minutes per day = friendlier

• Friendly fathers = more likely to be friendly kittens! – Mothers personality is not as well documented.– If mother is fearful of humans, kittens will learn this

behavior.• Kittens learn play behavior as early as 3 weeks

Kitten Play Behavior

• Begins as pawing at siblings ~3 weeks of age• Social play increases ~4-11 weeks and includes

more chasing and rolling.– Solitary play also develops and includes pouncing on,

or swatting at objects.*** It is INAPPROPRIATE to encourage kittens to play

with or attack bare hands or other parts of your body! • Kittens begin to learn to hunt and kill prey around

4-8 weeks when queen brings live prey back to nest. – By 8 weeks kittens can kill and eat mice.

Feline Personality Types

Personality of the feline is formed from a combination of experience and genetics.

Understanding Feline PersonalitySiamese & Oriental breeds

Persian & long hair breeds

Understanding Feline Personality

Feline Personality Types• Friendly-Trusting

• Shy-fearful

• Active-aggressive

Why do human’s have cats?

Feline Hierarchy

Dominance Sharing

Communication

Tail Talk

Friendly Tails

Fearful Tails

Submissive Tail

Aggressive/Scared Tail

Tail Movements

I’m Mad/Aggre

ssive

I’m Scared

Body Posture

Facial Expressions

ANY intense emotion such as excitement, fear, anger, pleasure, or agitation, can cause the pupils to dilate. (Kalstone, 2008)

Facial Expressions

Aggression

Will you please help me?

Behavioral ProblemsCase Study

Inappropriate elimination

Notice tail shake

Behavior ProblemsCase Study

Inappropriate scratching

Behavior ProblemsCase Study

Aggression

Additional Feline Issues

• Reading in your CTVT book is VERY helpful!– Introducing new cat – pp 157-158– Destructive behavior – pp 158-159– Inter-cat aggression – pg 159-160– Human aggression – 160-161