The prevention of undesirable behaviors in cats: Effectiveness of veterinary behaviorists' advice given to kitten owners

Abstract

Cats can form a strong relationship toward the owner and seem to accept the advantages of living within a human family. However, cats can show behavioral problems, which are supposed to be largely due to owners' lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of feline behavior and needs. Therefore, the first period after adoption may be crucial in the development of a good cohabitation and relationship with the owner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized set of behavioral advices provided to kitten owners in preventing the main undesirable behaviors in the domestic cat. Ninety-one cats divided into 2 groups were involved. Owners of the experimental group have been involved in the study in 2 steps. The first step was at the first veterinary visit of their pets, when kittens were 2.8 ± 0.8 months old, and owners were provided with advice aimed to prevent behavioral problems. As a second step, they were interviewed 10 months later. Owners of the control group were met and interviewed only once, during the first vaccination recall visit. Results show that a significantly higher percentage of owners belonging to the control group (43.5% vs. 15.6%; χ² = 7.214; P = 0.007) complained about one or more undesirable behaviors of their cat. Cats in the experimental group were more often reported to climb on some or specifically allowed furniture, while a greater number of cats in the control group climbed on every kind of furniture (χ² = 5.820; P = 0.016) and climbed on the curtains sometimes or frequently (χ² = 3.940; P = 0.047). Excessive vocalizations were also displayed more in the control group (21.7% vs. 4.4%; χ² = 4.529; P = 0.033). Cats in the experimental group preferred seeking physical contact when the owners went back home, whereas cats belonging to the control group usually sought contact while owners were lying in the bed or on the sofa (χ² = 11.651; P = 0.011), possibly disturbing them. Moreover, a higher proportion of experimental group cats did not show a negative response to handling of any part of the body (82.2% vs. 58.7%; χ² = 6.52; P = 0.010). The results of the present study support the hypothesis that providing owners with advice regarding their own behavior toward the cat and the appropriate education of their kitten leads to better informed owners and to fewer behaviors perceived as undesirable in cats.

Introduction

Although dogs are known to be “man's best friends”, establishing a reciprocal, complex bond with the owner (Blouin, 2003, Mariti et al., 2013), cats are also important for people (Zasloff, 1996) and can form a strong relationship toward the owner (Edwards et al., 2007).

Cats seem to accept the advantages of living within a human family and environment without abandoning their auto-determined and independent behavior (Neville, 1996). The ideal cat for humans is socialized, sociable, curious, and able to adapt to every situation (Bernstein, 2007). In indoor cats, cleanliness, affection, and playfulness are also appreciated. However, cat behavior and cat-human relationship are based on many variables (Adamelli et al., 2004). The moment of adoption may be crucial in the development of a good cohabitation and relationship with the owner. A new pet means play and pleasant moments and can provide many physical and psychological advantages, but it also requires responsibility. Challenges can arise for the owners, especially if the pet displays behavioral problems (Hunthausen and Seksel, 2002).

Some authors believe that the most common feline problems arise as a consequence of physical containment imposed on a species that is not truly domesticated (Driscoll et al., 2009). Others focus on the misunderstanding of actual needs of cats, on poor or absent environmental stimulation, or on unrealistic owner expectations, and disappointing cat-owner interactions (Turner, 1991), in addition to human misinterpretation of the feline behavioral repertoire (Frank, 2002, Bowen and Heath, 2005, Seksel, 2009). For example, behaviors such as scratching or jumping on the furniture, nocturnal activities, seeking for attention, plant chewing, roaming, vocalizing, and chasing (Frank, 2002) are normal behaviors for the species, but they can be perceived as problematic by owners. Behaviors perceived as undesirable can seriously impair the human-animal bond and lead to relinquishment, abandonment, or euthanasia of the pet (Frank, 2002, Rochlitz, 2009), and animals younger than 1 year are at highest risk (Hunthausen and Seksel, 2002). In the last decade, professionals involved in behavioral medicine have invested great effort in prevention by informing owners about the normal behavior and behavioral development of their new pet; helping owners in having realistic expectations (Gazzano et al., 2008); teaching owners how to basically train their pet; how to correctly interpret the motivations underlying cat behaviors; and how to manage, modify, or simply embrace their expression (Hunthausen and Seksel, 2002). Cats that are not adequately trained, or deprived by an environment that does not enable appropriate behavioral development, may display behavioral problems such as inappropriate play, aggression toward people, house soiling, attachment problems, overgrooming, and car phobia (Bowen and Heath, 2005).

Thus, veterinary surgeons should educate clients to see the world from the cat's perspective (Seksel, 2009). The first visit can be the best time for the veterinarian to start a good relationship with pets and their human family to prevent, manage, or treat any behavioral problem (Overall, 1997, Beaver, 2003). Some veterinarians may prefer to address only problems or concerns raised by the pet owner. However, preventive advice should be offered to all new pet owners, so that they know what is needed and what to expect when raising a new pet (Landsberg et al., 2003). Such an approach was found to be effective in the prevention of behavioral problems in dogs (Gazzano et al., 2008).

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a predefined, standardized set of behavioral advices provided to kitten owners at their first veterinary visit in preventing the main undesirable behaviors in the domestic cat. The assessment was carried out through questionnaires investigating behavioral concerns (presence of behavioral problems and seek for advice) in 1-year-old cats, who received or did not receive such standardized advice.