Cats are among the most popular pets worldwide. Around 15.7 million domestic cats live in Germany. However, living with cats has changed significantly in recent decades. From farm cats that caught mice, they have increasingly become domestic cats that have had to adapt to their owners' daily routines. Restricted in their desire for freedom, the majority of these cats now live exclusively indoors. This can result in varying degrees of behavioral changes in cats.
There are many reasons for undesirable behavior. If a cat lives exclusively indoors, boredom and understimulation can be triggers. Living in forced communities with other animals and humans can cause stress for cats. This can be caused by sharing food and resting places, for example. Other potential stress factors include the loss of a caregiver, moving house, a new litter box (see relevant article), or new furniture. Fear, insecurity, pain, hormonal imbalances, neglect, or a misunderstanding of normal cat behavior can also cause behavioral problems.
In order to correctly interpret the signs of behavioral disorders in cats, it is necessary to have a sound knowledge of normal cat behavior (see article on cat communication). Behavioral disorders develop gradually, so that you often overlook the initial minor changes in everyday life. Sometimes, a subliminal behavioral problem only becomes apparent when an additional stress factor is present.
Behavioral disorders can manifest themselves in aggression, listlessness, compulsive repetition, complete disappearance, or even exaggeration of certain behaviors. Typical symptoms of a behavioral disorder include uncleanliness, marking, and excessive scratching of furniture or objects. Neglecting to eat, play, or groom can also be signs of a behavioral disorder.
If cats show a pathological excessive grooming behavior and lick themselves excessively, this is known as psychogenic lick alopecia (= lick hair loss). This results in hairless areas.
Pica syndrome is also a behavioral disorder. Cats suffering from this eating disorder lick, chew, and eat things such as plastic, paper, or textiles.
The psychological abnormalities significantly impair the quality of life of affected cats. If left untreated, they can lead to permanent physical complaints such as digestive disorders, urinary tract infections, or cardiovascular disorders.
Behavioral disorders in cats are not easy for veterinarians to diagnose. To rule out diseases or other physical causes of the symptoms, your veterinary practice will first conduct a general examination. Your detailed preliminary report will also provide valuable information about the type, extent, cause, timing, and duration of the symptoms observed.
Blood and urine tests are used to rule out underlying diseases or hormonal imbalances as the cause. In cases of skin irritation caused by excessive licking or self-injury, a skin scraping is usually taken to rule out any infectious causes.
In difficult or unclear cases, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian with additional qualifications in behavioral medicine. They will be able to address your cat's problem in a more targeted manner.
The treatment of a behavioral disorder depends on the cause. If there is an underlying illness or hormonal imbalance, your veterinarian will treat this first.
You should eliminate known triggers such as changes in the household or understimulation as much as possible. Creating a cat-friendly environment can help improve symptoms.
In more complex cases and with pronounced disorders, behavioral therapy at a specialized veterinary practice is necessary. In rare cases, psychotropic drugs are used to support treatment in cats.
The chances of recovery depend greatly on the type and cause of the behavioral disorder. If the trigger is identified and treated or eliminated, the prognosis is good. However, undesirable behaviors or compulsive actions learned at an early age may persist despite treatment.
To prevent conspicuous behavior, allow your cat to live a species-appropriate life that is tailored to its needs. This is only possible to a limited extent for indoor cats. You cannot always fully satisfy their strong urge for freedom and exploration. However, you can keep your cat occupied indoors with a variety of opportunities for play and hiding. In households with several cats, it is particularly important that there are enough places for all animals to retreat to. Cats that are allowed outside suffer significantly less from behavioral problems. However, try to avoid changes in the household or environment as much as possible, or at least introduce them slowly. This will prevent your cat from experiencing unnecessary stress.
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