Practical Feline Behaviour contains all the relevant information that a veterinary nurse or technician needs to understand and handle the behaviour and welfare of house cats, and to offer safe and practical advice to clients.
There have been ground-breaking advances in our understanding of feline behaviour in recent years and, to protect the welfare of cats, it is increasingly important that anyone involved with their care, especially those in a professional capacity, keep up to date with these developments.
This approachable and down-to-earth text describes the internal and external influences on feline behaviour; on communication, learning, social behaviour, the relationship between behaviour and disease, and the cat - human relationship. It also provides practical advice on how the welfare of cats in our care may be protected and how behaviour problems should be addressed and how to avoid them.
In this book Trudi Atkinson draws on her extensive experience as a veterinary nurse and a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist to provide a rapid reference and an intensely practical feline behaviour resource for owners, breeders, veterinary professionals, shelter and cattery workers and anyone involved in the care of our feline companions.
- Practical, down to earth guide detailing all aspects of feline behaviour
- Rapid reference for instant access to information
- Written by a well-known animal behaviourist who has extensive experience in treating feline behaviour problems and in advising clients to protect the welfare of their cats
- Includes a foreword by John Bradshaw, School of Veterinary Science at University of Bristol, UK
CONTENTS
Part One: Understanding Feline Behaviour
1: The Origin and Evolution of the Domestic Cat
2: The Senses
3: Feline Communication
4: Social, Feeding and Predatory Behaviour
5: Kitten to Cat - Reproduction and the Behavioural Development of Kittens
6: Health and Behaviour
7: Learning, Training and Behaviour
Part Two: Practical Feline Behaviour
8: Advice for Breeders
9: Advice for Prospective Cat Owners
10: Advice for Cat Owners
11: Advice for Veterinary Professionals
12: Advice for Other Cat Carers
Appendix 1: Environmental Enrichment
Appendix 2: Play
Appendix 3: Reducing Resource Competition in a Multi-cat Household
Appendix 4: Neutering
Appendix 5: Introducing an Additional Cat to your Household
Appendix 6: Helping a Grieving Cat
Appendix 7: Introducing Cats and Dogs
Appendix 8: Cat Flaps
Appendix 9: Teaching Your Cat to Come to You When You Call
Appendix 10: Cats, Babies and Children
Appendix 11: House-training Your Cat or Kitten
Appendix 12: Training Your Cat to Like the Cat Carrier
Appendix 13: Medicating Your Cat
Appendix 14: Teaching Your Cat or Kitten to Accept Veterinary Examination
Appendix 15: First Aid Advice for Common Feline Behaviour Problems
Appendix 16: Friend or Foe
Appendix 17: Approaching, Stroking and Picking Up
Appendix 18: Recognizing Stress
