Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

142 Chapter 10 The main advantage of unrestricted outdoor access is that it provides the cat with the best opportunity to engage ...

Advice for Cat Owners 143 ● It provides no deterrent or barrier to rival cats or predators. But fear of crossing the barrier may ...

144 Chapter 10 with it can be highly stressful, which might result in generalized, and possibly severe, fear and anxiety. ● It i ...

Advice for Cat Owners 145 Particularly if the cat does not have constant access back into the house whenever it wants, an outdoo ...

146 Chapter 10 to roam, and it is important to be aware that, although 6 months or older is the usual age for a female cat to co ...

Advice for Cat Owners 147 ● Strategically placed bushes and solid fencing may help to deter other cats from entering your garden ...

148 Chapter 10 from sitting on the tops of walls, fences or other tall structures can therefore help your cat to feel less threa ...

Advice for Cat Owners 149 ● If a cat flap is installed, ensure that it is an exclusive type that can only be used by your cat(s) ...

150 Chapter 10 Preventing Human-directed Aggression Cats are armed with a mouthful of sharp teeth and four feet with sharp claws ...

Advice for Cat Owners 151 Keeping Your Cat Healthy There is a strong link between behaviour and disease (see Chapter 6). A chang ...

152 © T. Atkinson, 2018. Practical Feline Behaviour (T. Atkinson) 11a Advice for Veterinary Professionals Part 1 – The Cat in th ...

Advice for Veterinary Professionals 153 ● Cats that experience fear and stress are more likely to exhibit fear-based defensive a ...

154 Chapter 11 ● Provide shelves for cat carriers: ● Cats can feel more at threat when at ground level, especially whilst confin ...

Advice for Veterinary Professionals 155 It should also be recognized that owners might be in a state of distress, possibly owing ...

156 Chapter 11 Handling Removing the cat from the carrier: ● Do not attempt to tip or shake the cat out of the carrier, physical ...

Advice for Veterinary Professionals 157 within the cat’s sight, it may attempt to retreat into the safety of the carrier and bec ...

158 Chapter 11 ● After the examination and/or treatment allow the cat to go back into the carrier of its own accord. Compiled wi ...

Advice for Veterinary Professionals 159 ● The cat ward should also be isolated from other intrusive sounds and activity, such as ...

160 Chapter 11 Nursing care of hospitalized cats ● Unpredictability can be a major stressor for cats, so aim to keep to a reliab ...

Advice for Veterinary Professionals 161 inside while cleaning takes place. While the cat is out of the cage and in the carrier, ...