Behaviour professional......or Vet?

When our cats behave in ways we don't appreciate it can be hard to know if it's something in their environment that is eliciting the behaviour, or they're suffering from pain or other illness related complications (or both factors may be at play).

Mills et al. (2020) 1. found that undiagnosed pain was a contributing factor in 1/3 of cases where companion animals were referred to a veterinary behaviourist for behaviour problems. The number of companion animals exhibiting behaviour issues directly linked to undiagnosed pain is likely to be significantly underreported, as many cats (and dogs) are surrendered as a result of behaviour problems without a thorough veterinary assessment having been conducted. All too often I have seen reports of cases where cats have been bounced from home to home for urination outside of the litterbox, but it turns out the cat was suffering from undiagnosed UTI's, cystitis or other medical conditions which were a direct cause of the behaviour. Once the cat received a diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the behaviour issue was resolved. Cats can also get the short end of the stick when it comes to having pain diagnosed and treated, especially if they don't tolerate getting into their carrier or going to see their vet. It's hard for a vet to help a cat that the vet never sees! And in Australia, whilst cats and dogs are owned in similar numbers, multi-species clinics tend to see cats less than they see dogs. Cats certainly don't have the edge over dogs by suffering from medical conditions less, but it IS easier to miss the signs that they need help. And sometimes caregivers misinterpret those signs, or may assume that their cat is being spiteful or territorial (i.e. for behaviours such as urination outside the litterbox). If a caregiver thinks their cat is acting out by choice, they're unlikely to see their cat's behaviour as the cry for help that it really is. Signs of pain in cats can also be difficult for people to identify because cats are masters at concealing pain for as long as they can owing to their position as both predator and prey in the food chain. It's a matter of survival, showing your vulnerability in the wild is a great way to get eaten or attacked! By the time a cat's signs of pain are obvious and unmistakable, they may be very ill indeed.

So knowing all this, what can caring cat caregivers do?

1. Invest the time to train your cat to be comfortable in their carrier, and comfortable travelling to see their vet (if you need help with this, Positive Purrenting offers training advice).

2. Build a great relationship with a vet who is passionate and knowledgeable about feline health. Look for practices that are Fear-Free certified or AAFP certified. If you can't find a clinic with those certifications within a reasonable driving distance, look for a feline only clinc, or a multi-species clinic with separate areas for cats and dogs both in the waiting room and in recovery areas. Clinics who reject the use of restraint, practice fear-free methods and utilise cooperative care do wonders for making vet visits more tolerable and less stressful for your cat.

3. Paying close attention to your cat’s habits and typical behaviours is an incredibly powerful tool to recognize when help is needed. Sudden changes in behaviour or departures from normal routines (without any obvious environmental factors*) are a signal to raise the matter with your vet.

What are some signs that your cat may need veterinary assessment?

(Please note that Positive Purrenting is not qualified to give veterinary advice, the below examples are general and illustrative in nature, and must not be used to diagnose your cat.)

• Decreased (or increased) grooming, unkempt coat/bald patches

• Rapid weight loss

• Increased irritability and decreased tolerance for physical contact

• Decreased (or increased) appetite

• Withdrawal, hiding more often or not engaging as much as they used to

• A reluctance to jump up/down

• Adopting a tense, closed in posture/head lowered/ears drawn/tightening of the muzzle

• Loss of languidity and usual smooth movements

• Sudden excessive vocalisation

• Decreased interest in activities they used to enjoy

• Urination or defecation outside of the litterbox

Another useful tool that can help cat owners to assess whether their cat may be in pain is the Feline Grimace Scale: https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/. It is recommended that cats scoring 4/10 or higher be seen by a vet for assessment.

Positive Purrenting requires that all clients whose cats are exhibiting a behaviour problem have their cat seen by a veterinary professional prior to booking our services, to ensure that undiagnosed medical conditions are appropriately addressed. Once your cat has the medical all clear/or their condition is being appropriately treated/managed, Positive Purrenting can begin working with you to address any problem behaviours that are negatively impacting your relationship.

Monique van Maanen, FBST

Positive Purrenting

"Helping cats and their people to live more harmoniously together."

*a known change in the environment doesn't mean the cause of your cat's behaviour isn't illness related- changes in the environment can be very stressful for some cats and this can manifest in illness. If there is any chance your cat's behaviour could be exacerbated by a medical condition, please consult a trusted vet.

1. Mills, Daniel S., et al. "Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs." Animals 10.2 (2020): 318