Analytical Essay on Behavioral Issues of Domestic Cats
Discussion
Behavioural issues are the most common reason for domestic cats to be euthanised (Overall et al., 2005) and 77% of cat owners in the UK want to change at least one of their cat’s behaviours (PDSA, 2019). As a result, the importance of understanding cat behaviour and decreasing abnormal behaviours is highlighted. According to New et al., (2000) most people relinquishing cats have significant shortfalls in knowledge and misconceptions of cat behaviour. For example, people rehoming their cat commonly display the idea of spite as the motivation for some cat behaviours, lack of knowledge of how to correct or manage behaviours and unawareness of pouncing, scratching and biting to occur as feline play behaviours (Ibid.). It could be argued that increasing the knowledge and understanding of how early maternal separation can negatively impact cat behaviour may reduce the number of potential owners purchasing a kitten at an inappropriate age. As a result, abnormal and undesirable behaviours, particularly aggression, may be reduced in later life, therefore possibly decreasing cats facing relinquishment. For this reason, the value of this investigation is emphasised.
The highest proportion (42%) of respondents acquired their cat at 8-11 weeks of age, whereas 37% of cats were separated at 12 weeks and above and 21% were separated at 7 weeks or younger. The fact that the highest number of respondents acquired their cat at 8-11 weeks is possibly to be expected in line with UK legislation, with the legal age of maternal separation being 8 weeks of age (The Cat Group, 2019). However, it could be argued that 21% of kittens being separated at 7 weeks or younger could be viewed as alarmingly high considering the illegality.
The results of the investigation show cats separated from the mother at an earlier age to be perceived by owners as more aggressive than those separated later. Cats separated at 7 and below weeks of age were perceived as more aggressive than cats separated at both 8-11 weeks and 12 weeks and above; cats separated at 8-11 weeks were more aggressive than those acquired at 12 weeks and above. These results show an evident link between aggression increasing as age of separation decreases. These findings are agreeable with Ahola, Vapalahti and Lohi (2017), who find cats separated from their mother before 12 weeks (early weaned) to be considered more aggressive than those separated at 12 weeks and above (late weaned). Furthermore, respondents reported aggression toward other cats to be most common, followed by aggression toward family members and lastly, aggression toward strangers. The findings of incidences of aggression are parallel to Beaver (2004), who reports aggression toward conspecifics to be most common in multi-cat households, but aggression toward owners to be most common in single cat households. As the average number of cats per respondent household was 2-3, the fact that aggression toward other cats was most reported is somewhat expectable. This result evidences completion of the project aim to investigate the impact of early maternal separation on owner reported behaviours. Furthermore, the alternative hypothesis, that early separation has a negative impact on cat behaviour and the prevalence of undesirable behaviours, can be accepted. Acceptance of the hypothesis is based on the significant correlation between earlier age of separation and increased owner perceived aggression.
Age of maternal separation did not present a statistically significant effect on the presence of shy/fear behaviours in cats. In fact, owner perceived shyness was relatively high in all groups of cats, with most cats being considered as displaying shy behaviours. Shyness toward strangers was the most reported incidence, with shyness toward other cats following. A lack of correlation between age of separation and shyness was similarly reported by Ahola, Vapalahti and Lohi (2017). According to BBC (2018), nearly 50% of multi-cat household owners report stress related behavioural issues that require management and/or a solution. Providing numbers of environmental resources, such as litter trays, food bowls and water bowls, to match the number of cats in the house has been found to decrease owner perceived stress and aggression (Ibid.). Considering the average number of cats per respondent household was 2-3, this could have impacted the relatively high level of reported shyness. Alternative studies have found cats to prefer hiding spaces to other environmental enrichment, such as toys and perching spaces (Ellis et al., 2017). Furthermore, lack of hiding spaces has been linked to increased stress and the development of abnormal behaviours (Neilson, 2004), whereas access to a variety of rooms, beds and hiding places can encourage friendlier, sociable behaviours between cats, rather than stress and aggression (Crowell-Davis, Curtis and Knowles, 2004). Inadequate resource provision in the multi-cat household respondents of the investigation may have altered the results and increased the level of owner perceived fear/shyness in their cats. This could be further investigated in a future study investigating the impact of resource provision regarding cat behaviour. On the other hand, replicating this study in future, owners of multiple cats could be excluded as to gain a more accurate reflection of age of separation and shy behaviours, without having to consider the impact of multi cat households. Furthermore, past studies have reported links between increased socialisation and handling between 2 and 12 weeks of age to result in friendlier, less distressed adult cats when faced with unfamiliar people (McCune, 1995). Considering the most reported incidence of shyness was toward strangers in this investigation, early environment and socialisation before maternal separation could be included and assessed in a future study for greater insight into results.
Similarly to Ahola, Vapalahti and Lohi (2017), the stereotypical behaviours of wool sucking and overgrooming were assessed in relation to age of maternal separation. However, a statistically significant link between age of separation and the presence of these stereotypical behaviours was not found. Owner reported wool sucking and over grooming was low in all groups of cats, with most owners reporting it rarely or never happens. However, wool sucking has been linked to Siamese and Birman cat breeds, with the behaviour increasing in cases of early maternal separation (Borns-Weil et al., 2015). Furthermore, a large study of 5,700 domestic cats found significant breed differences in feline behaviour, for example, Korat and Devon Rex cats were reported as most sociable, whereas Turkish Van and Angora cats were perceived as most aggressive towards con specifics and owners. Respondents to this survey were not asked what breed their cat was, this may have hindered insight into the results. In future investigations, respondents could be asked for the breed of their cat, which could allow analysis of links in age of separation, behaviour and breed of the cat. Greater understanding of cat behaviour could be gained this way.
Across all age of maternal separation groups, when respondents were asked if their cat had any other behavioural issues, the most frequently owner reported issue was temperamentality. Inappropriate urination, biting and separation anxiety follow were also commonly reported. Behavioural issues were more reported in cats separated at a younger age; 49% of owners of cats acquired at 7 weeks and below reported behavioural issues in their cat, compared to 35% of cats separated at 8-11 weeks and 22% of cats separated at 12 weeks and above. The results show behavioural issues to be somewhat common in all groups of cats, although the figure noticeably increases as age of separation decreases. However, a study completed by Adamelli et al., (2005) found only 16% of cats surveyed to not show abnormal behaviour. On the other hand, most cats surveyed were found to be given good quality care and have good physical health (Ibid.). As a result, it could be perceived that behaviour is relatively overlooked in terms of cat ownership and care, when contrasted with physical health being prioritised or possibly more understood, by owners.
Regardless of behavioural issues, most respondents (80%) completely agreed to having a good relationship with their cat. However, of the 20% who did not completely agree to having a good relationship with their cat, approximately 80% were owners of cats that were acquired before 12 weeks of age, making them considered as early separated (Ahola, Vapalahti and Lohi, 2017). Furthermore, all respondents that did not completely agree to having a good relationship with their cat also reported at least one of the following behavioural issues: aggression, shyness, wool sucking or overgrooming. As a result, it could be inferred that behavioural issues can negatively impact some cat-owner relationships. To support this, owners have been found happier with cats agreeable (sociable, tolerant and friendly) in nature, when compared to neurotic (skittish, fearful and temperamental) cats (Evans et al., 2019). Although only a small proportion of survey respondents did not completely agree to having a good relationship with their cat, applying this percentage to the 10.9 million pet cats in the UK (PDSA, 2019), could make the impact behavioural issues can have on cat-owner relationships more significant. Providing public education on the importance of sourcing a cat at an appropriate age may reduce behavioural issues, which could reduce relinquishment or euthanasia (Overall et al., 2005). However, the high percentage of owners reporting a good relationship with their cat could have been impacted or influenced by a variety of factors. For example, 95% of respondents were female. Although this is to be expected, as women have been found more likely to answer surveys than men (Porter and Whitcomb, 2005), lack of male representation may have slightly decreased data validity. For example, female cat owners have been found to believe their cats are more communicative and empathetic than male cat owners (Pongrácz and Szapu, 2018). This gender-based difference in perception of owned cats may have influenced how respondents viewed their cat-owner relationship; it could be inferred that male respondents may have answered differently. The sampling method used in this investigation could be improved in future studies to facilitate a more even ratio between male and female respondents. In addition to gender differences, culture may have impacted results. For example, a similar investigation completed in Spain found behavioural issues to negatively impact the cat-owner relationship, but also found owners with higher reported bonds with their cat to be more accepting of abnormal behaviours (Bulgakova et al., 2017). According to Dennis (2017), Britain upholds a reputation of being a nation of animal lovers and was the first country to create and enforce animal protection laws. As the investigation was completed in Britain, this culture could have inferably impacted the way respondents viewed the relationship with their cat. Overall, the aim of exploring the impact early separation and related behavioural issues can impact the cat-owner relationship has been completed.
The most common source of kittens (42%) was from a rescue centre or rehoming charity, friends or family (17%) and online sources (12%) were also used. On the other hand, only 4% of respondents sourced their kitten from a Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) registered pedigree breeder. According to the PDSA (2018), one third of people buying a non-pedigree breed do not research species specific needs before purchase. This lack of research is deemed as increasing the issue of kittens being purchased too young, unwell and poorly socialised, resulting in long term behavioural issues (British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2019). Considering the GCCF (2020) recommend kittens are not separated from their mothers and taken to their new home until at least 13 weeks of age, the lack of GCCF registered pedigree owner representation may have altered behaviour results. More representation of GCCF registered pedigrees could have provided greater insight into the impact following GCCF maternal separation guidelines can have on feline behaviour.
54% of respondents reported their cat not being hand reared as a kitten, 12% reported partial hand rearing and 9% indicated total hand rearing. However, 25% of respondents specified that they did not know. The high level of uncertainty regarding hand rearing amongst respondents makes it difficult to accurately and validly assess the significance of hand rearing in terms of feline behaviour. It could be argued that providing a more simplified, clearer definition of hand rearing may have enabled more respondents to knowingly answer the question, therefore this could be improved in future studies. Hand rearing has been linked to behavioural problems, particularly breeding behaviours, in other feline species, such as Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) (Hampson and Schwitzer, 2016). Furthermore, hand rearing can lead to abnormal behaviours and aggression in other species, such as parrots (Psittaciformes) (Schmid, Doherr and Steiger, 2006).
Domestic cats have evolved from solitary, asocial wild cats (Finka, Ellis and Stavisky, 2014), which may mean they are best suited to live in single cat households. According to Bonanni et al., (2007), there are hierarchies in cat colonies and in terms of feeding, aggression may often be displayed. Furthermore, Halls (2010) agrees that fighting can occur in feral colonies when resources are scarce, which can be related to limited environmental enrichment in a domestic environment. Most respondents to this survey were owners of multiple cats, with 2-3 being average. The impact multi-cat housing may have had on reported cat behaviour in this investigation, particularly aggression and fear, cannot be determined. However, a significant statistical correlation was made between earlier age of maternal separation and increased owner reported aggression (P-value 0.0006). As a result, it could be argued that with such statistical significance, a correlation between age of separation and aggression cannot be denied, despite the possible effects of other influencing factors, such as multi-cat housing.
Overall, the project objectives of producing an online survey, sharing the survey via social media and obtaining and analysing data were completed. Completion of the objectives led to fulfilment of the project aim of investigating the impact of early maternal separation on owner reported behaviour in cats, with additional exploration of the impact this may have on the cat-owner relationship. A statistically significant correlation between earlier age of separation and increased owner reported aggression was found. As a result, the null hypothesis has been rejected, allowing to acceptance of the alternative hypothesis that early maternal separation can impact cat behaviour negatively. However, some limitations of the investigation were discovered. As most respondents were female, data was somewhat unrepresentative, and results may have been impacted by gender differences in perception of behaviour and the cat-owner relationship. Furthermore, investigating the specific breed of the cats involved may have allowed for greater insight into the data and the presence or absence of behaviours within certain breeds. A future study may benefit from using a different, more representative sampling method and involving more detailed questions about the individual cat.
