outline the roles of cats in society
- pets/family members
- rodent control (barn cat)
- commodity (breeding)
- showing pedigree
- free living or feral (pest)
what age is the socialisation period in cats and describe its impacts on feline behavioural needs
2-7 or 8 weeks of age (sensitive period)
- defines normal
- both good and bad experiences can have an impact
- cats are likely to be fearful of new experiences encountered outside of thi time of life
- the broader the range and greater the number of experiences the more adaptable the cat will be to novel situations as an adult
a cat’s personality is not only about experineces, can also be influenced by behavioural needs, genetics and personality and how a cat feels and behaves in any situation
suggest strategies for positive socialisation experiences for kittens during the socialisation period
- gentle handling (holing, stroking touching all body areas esp feet ear mouth, place in carrier take in car)
- introduce to new people of different ages and genders
- introduce to other pets (calm gentle dogs, cats etc.)
- introduce to different surfaces (carpeet, tile, shiny floors etc)
- introduce to different sounds (music, radio, TV, cars, people shouting, hoover)
- introduce to different scents (household smells)
- introduce to different types of litter
- introduce to assortment of flavours/textures of food
- scratching posts and toys
- activities (play, training)
- outdoor environment in applicable (grass, gravel, cars, machinery etc)
describe key behavioural characteristics and social structures of cats
- territorial (have boundaries and maintain them, like to be in control of environment and become stressed when not, do not always need company of other cats, have social traits and needs)
- predator and prey species (hunters as obligate carnivores but also naturally fearful of unknown - good at climbing trees and hiding to escape danger)
- cope with danger by running away, getting up high and hiding or fight but aggression is last resort as not a good survival tactic
what factors influence the socialbility of cats to other cats
- genetics
- kitten socialisation
- social maturity (1.5-4 years)
- previous experience
- relatedness
- perceiving themselves to be in the same social group
what behavioural actions indicate that cats feel they are within the same social group
- mutualgrooming (allogrooming
- mutual rubbing (allowrubbing)
- sleeping together touching
- spending a lot of time in close proximity
- greeting one another with a tail up and touching noses
- communal nursing of young (feral colonies)
remember cats will tolerate eachother for a shared valued resource but that doesnt mean they necessarily like eachother
what are some important health and safety considerations associated with handling cats
- deep wounds caused by teeth/scratches
- pasturella multocida
- capnocytophaga canimorsus
- bartonella henselae (cat scratch disease)
- rabies
- ringworm
- toxoplasmosis (especially if pregnant!!)
- roundworms
cats have what kind of diet
obligate carnivores - depend entirely on meat. diet requires nutrients found entirely in animal flesh. bodied cany really digest plants properly
- high protein, moderte fat, minimal carbohydrates
what legalities protect cats in the UK
- animal welfare act 2006 (protects cat’s welfare needs
- theft act 1968 (cat are considered property
- criminal damage act 1971 (if someone injurs or kills a cat they can be prosecuted as cats are considered property)
