Kittens have a reputation for being playful. Why is play so important to them? Play is a very important part of the feline world and kittens need the opportunity to play in order to learn vital adult skills both for communication and for hunting. From a very early age, they play with their littermates and with objects that they find …
Kitten Socialization and Fear Prevention
What is socialization? Socialization is the process during which the kitten develops relationships with other living beings in its environment. What is habituation? As cats develop, there are numerous stimuli (sounds, smells, sights and events) that, when they are unfamiliar, can lead to fear and anxiety. Habituation is the process of getting used to and not reacting to those stimuli …
Introducing a New Cat Into a Home with a Resident Cat
Why can it be difficult for a new cat to be integrated into a home with a resident cat? Research has proven that cats are actually social animals that benefit from contact with their own kind. However, cats are also territorial species that primarily live with other cats from their own family. They tend to be intolerant of those outside …
Considerations When Getting a Second Cat
I want to get a cat, but someone told me I should get two together. Is this true? Cats were once considered to be solitary creatures. Although there may be individual differences, we now know that they are in fact social animals who benefit from interaction with their own and other species. As a result of this knowledge there has …
Cats and the Perils of Outdoor Living
Many cat owners worry that making their cats stay inside is unnatural and deprives them of their need to roam, explore, and meet other cats. However, in our modern world, the risks of an outdoor life are far greater than the benefits. This handout answers some of the questions you may have about letting your cat spend time outdoors. I …
Why Punishment Should be Avoided
What is punishment? Punishment is any intervention intended to decrease the occurrence of an action or behavior. Commonly utilized punishments against dogs and cats include throwing items at them, yanking on a choke collar, or a prong collar, intimidation with a finger, electric shock devices and physical corrections such as lifting, kneeing, pushing, jabbing or pinning. Punishment is not synonymous …
AVSAB Position Statement — The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals
AVSAB’s position is that punishment (e.g. choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals. AVSAB recommends …
Play and Predatory Aggression in Cats
My cat’s play is starting to lead to injuries. What can be done? Under stimulation, an excess of unused energy, and lack of appropriate opportunities for play can lead to play-related aggression. This may be exhibited as overly rambunctious or aggressive play, which inadvertently leads to injuries to people. In some cases, the play can include a number of components …
Cat Behavior Problems — Aggression Redirected
What is redirected aggression? Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is aroused by another animal, person or event, but is unable to direct aggression toward the stimulus. For example, your cat is sitting on a windowsill and sees another cat out on the property. Your cat becomes very agitated, begins to focus on the other cat and shows aggressive body …
Aggression in Cats – Toward Other Household Cats
What is the best way to safely introduce (or reintroduce) a cat into the household? In order to ensure that there are no injuries and that all introductions are positive, a desensitization and counterconditioning program is the best way to ease or re-introduce a cat into a household. Begin by confining the “new” cat to a separate room or portion …
