Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD Clinical Professor UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted a fascinating webinar on fear states in cats and how we, as both pet parents and professionals, can work with cats in such a way as to reduce fear, or at the very least minimise its impact. I summarise in this blog post some of the discussion.

Firstly, what is fear?

Fear, by definition, is the word we use to describe our emotional reaction to something that feels dangerous; typically an uncontrollable threat from an identified source. Fear is an aversive emotional state with physiological, behavioural, and emotional reactions to stimuli which are perceived as an actual threat or danger. Feelings are what we know as ‘drive states’, they motivate us to do something and with fear it is to protect ourselves. Uncontrollable means just that: you cannot control it. Anxiety, meanwhile, is another feeling state, but is more of a general feeling of worry, unease, tension and fear. One of the most damaging things to us and animals (behaviourally and physiologically) is the loss of a perception of control. Cats can be very sensitive creatures and may often become anxious or frustrated by things going on around them, or by the way people interact with them; and as a species they like to feel in control, so when we remove this from them they feel a heightened state of both anxiety and fear.

In terms of behaviour, cats present differently depending on both their temperament and the nature of the threat. Initially they might present with ‘normal’ posture and activity states; they might orient towards the (perceived or actual) danger whilst deciding what movement, if any, is appropriate under the circumstances: they might freeze or flee and where they can’t do either of these they might choose to use defensive aggression. The fight, flight, or freeze response is how the body responds to perceived threats. It is involuntary and involves a number of physiological changes that help someone prepare to: fight, or take action to eliminate the danger.

Physiological changes are again dependent on a number of factors, not least impacted by which option the cat takes when dealing with a threat, some of these include:

• Pupils may dilate
• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiratory rate
• Increase in blood pressure
• Sweaty paws
• Excessive shedding
• Evacuate their urinary and GI tract
• Flushing around the upper ears
• Occasional lip licking

What is stress and how does it relate to fear states in cats? 

Stress is the body’s response to pressure. Many different situations or life events can cause stress. In cats it is is often triggered when they experience something new, unexpected or threatening, or when they feel they have little control over a situation. Confinement, isolation, conflict with other cats, noise etc are all examples of external sources of stress for cats.

We need to think about what we can do to reduce fear, anxiety and stress as much as we can. We need to think about the cat in their environment, what Tony Buffington describes as “sensitive individuals in a provocative environment”. We want to do as much as we can to look after our cats, and its surroundings, so that they do not perceive their environment, or situations, as threatening and dangerous. To help our cats live fear free lives, we need to firstly provide them with safety at home and appropriate opportunities to engage in species specific behaviours. We then need to think about how often we transport them: is it always necessary? Is there another alternative that might help them feel more secure? (examples include in-home cat sitting, grooming training so that pet parents can keep on top of their cats coats, etc). If we do need to transport them regularly, we need to think about this too; so where is the carrier being kept? Ideally it should be left out all the time and placed in the cats favourite part of the house, filled with things that entice them to use it such as tasty treats tossed in, or catnip toys. Why? Because cats are extremely attached to ‘place’ which means if we can help them feel more comfortable with their carrier, they will be less stressed about the process when you do have to transport them. In terms of the actual transport process, let’s cover their cage and carry it securely (two hands, up high and kept stable – this helps reduce the notion of being out of control; remember, always put yourself in your cats shoes and ask yourself: how would I like to be transported? What would make me feel most comfortable?)

It’s also important to change our language. I have heard over the years many people describe either their own cats, or those they work with, as ‘aggressive’. This word is powerful and places all the focus on us, what we are experiencing in that moment, how we can protect us (usually through engaging in dominant, non-loving actions to ‘control the cat’). But as we know now, aggression is most typically evident in cats who are in a fear state, such a fear state that they felt they had no other option than to resort to biting, swatting and so forth (cats really do not like confrontation and would rather escape the situation if they could!). Using the phrase ‘fearful cat’, then, positions the cat right in the centre, where they should be. It makes you think about the cat and their emotions: how are they feeling about the situation? Is there anything we can do to make them feel safer and more in control? This might mean stopping what we are doing, changing holds, certainly it’s about minimising restraint and using non-confrontational body language with the cats and being in tune with their emotions. Of course there are some cats who are offensively and defensively aggressive, but most of the time we are looking at cats who are afraid. Just very afraid!

These cats deserve more. They deserve to be understood for what they are: firstly as a species which is both a predator and prey, but also as individuals who have their own unique experiences and histories which have served to shape how they respond to the world, and specifically ‘scary’ or threatening situations. Let’s change our language and put the cat back in the centre of things, where we focus less on what they are doing wrong, and more on how we as owners and professionals, can change our own behaviour to get the best out of these cats.

Catastic provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all your cat needs in the Buckinghamshire area. We are a Milton Keynes based cat sitting, behaviour and holistic grooming business and are able to not only cover your holiday sitting needs (we work 365 days of the year), but also assist with behaviour issues and help teach holistic grooming skills so that your cat can be groomed at home, by you, where they are most comfortable. 

Fear and anxiety are normal emotions that enable animals to avoid harm. With both of these emotions the cat is in a heightened state of arousal in preparation for a negative outcome such as physical pain. Anxiety is where the threat is anticipated but not actually present; with fear, however, the threat is present and imminent. A cat may become anxious in a situation in which they anticipate harm, and then switch to fearful when the threat has been identified.

Normal fear response behaviours might include:

• Facial and postural expressions such as dilated pupils, ear and tail position, muscular rigidity and piloerection
• Muscle tremors
• Attempts to escape
• Aggression towards stimulus
• Urination and defection

When frightened, animals engage in:

• Flight (the preferred response to fear, i.e. escape and avoid it)
• Fight (where they have been prevented escape and have no other choice but to resort to aggression in an attempt to drive the anxiety producing stimulus away)
• Freeze (the cat may feign sleep but actually be fully alert and aware of threats in their environment)
• Fiddle/Fidget (this might include apparently unrelated behaviours such as grooming)

Cats that have a fear of loud noises, such as fireworks or thunder, may hide whilst outside the home so that their behaviour goes unobserved by their owners. At home, cats may hide when frightened by loud noises, and do not show the overt signs of distress that we might observe in dogs (for instance, whining, pacing, etc) and therefore many owners often misinterpret this apparent passivity from their cat as a lack of fear, especially when the cat engages in self-maintenance behaviour, such as grooming, that many of us associate with the cat being relaxed, calm and settled. However, increased grooming can also be a displacement activity, or an attempt at self-appeasement, that is actually a good indicator of stress especially where it happens in excess and is performed out of context, or in times of conflict or in the presence of anxiety-inducing stimuli.

Fear responses in cats, in general, are context specific; so that means they may react fearfully to otherwise familiar stimuli when it is presented in an unfamiliar context or outside its own familiar territory boundaries (for instance, your cat may be comfortable being touched by you at home, but when he is brought to the vet or groomers may present with aggressive behaviour on being stroked). This change to their behavioural repertoire may be due to a significant part of the cat’s emotional self-control system being based on its innate ability to engage in avoidance behaviours when discriminating the level of (perceived) threat in a given environment or situation.

It is important that cats who are exhibiting fear-related behaviour problems are given choice and control over their environment. Forcing them to deal with their fears (through flooding or poorly managed exposures) will likely make the problem worse. That said, sometimes it is necessary to expose the cat to specific stimuli that it fears in order to help them overcome them; however, it is important that this is done through the correct desensitisation and counterconditioning protocols, with positive reinforcement and associations made.

Fear-based behaviour treatment typically involves the following:

• The cat’s environment: ensure your cat has control over its key resources and feels safe in their home. This is absolutely essential in helping to reduce generalised anxiety and stress
• Your reaction: sometimes our own behaviour is what needs modifying as we may unintentionally be adding to the cat’s stress by poor handling techniques, our own stress and anxiety, a lack of consistency, and inappropriate punishments
• Behaviour modification: techniques such as desensitisation and counterconditioning are helpful in fear-based anxiety issues and a separate post will go into this in more detail
• Psychoactive medications: in serious cases of anxiety and fear, it may sometimes be necessary to put the cat on medication so that their anxiety or fear can be brought down to manageable levels, whereby the behaviour modification plan put in place has a greater chance of success (always liaise with your vets with regards medications)

Reference:

Horwitz, D., and Landsberg, G., (n.d.), ‘Cat Behaviour Problems – Fears and Phobias’ Available from: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-behavior-problems—fears-and-phobias

Also known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), this condition is characterised by several key behavioural changes which may occur when cats are between 7 to 10 years old (though it varies cat to cat as each are individual, and age at different rates just as humans do). It is also important to note that the below changes in behaviour can also be associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure and more. Therefore, it is important that the cat is seen by the vet for health check-ups on a regular basis (every 6 months is recommended for a senior cat) to rule out any other diseases or illnesses. Dementia can only be diagnosed once any other possible chronic illnesses have been ruled out.

Some of the signs associated with feline senile dementia are:

• Increased vocalisations (this may occur at greater frequency during the night when the house is quiet and dark)
• Seemingly lost and easily confused, especially when looking for food/water bowls or litter tray
• Changes in activity levels
• Increased irritability
• Decreased desire to groom, coat greasy and unkempt, long-haired cats may suffer with matting and need help from the owner or a cat groomer
• Changes in activity levels
• Excessive licking (one or more parts of body)Increased anxiety and restlessness
• Temporal disorientation
• A lack of spatial awareness
• Incontinence or constipation
• Random new phobias
• Changes in sleep/wake cycle
• Inappropriate toileting location (both urination and defecation)
• Forgetting commands or other tricks the cat might have learned
• Altered relationship with owner and other pets in the house (either an increase in attention seeking behaviours or a decrease in these with more aggression seen in an otherwise friendly/sociable cat)
• Changes in activity – pacing, wandering and aimlessly staring at walls

CDS cannot be cured but negative symptoms can be reduced through correct diagnosis and care. Through making changes to the environment, supplementing their diet and possibly drug therapies, your cat can go on to live a comfortable life (iCatCare, 2018). We can help cats suffering with this condition by firstly feeding them a species-appropriate diet which is high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Routine veterinary care is vital at this stage in a cat’s life. It is recommended that a senior / geriatric cat is brought in for check-ups twice yearly, this is where the vet will be able to pick up any health conditions you might have missed and advise on environmental alterations that may be made to provide the cat with as much support as is possible during their senior years.