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