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  • 1.  Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-07-2024 03:14 PM

    Updated 10/29/24 at 5:54pm - Recording now available 

    Hi,

    Join Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection on Oct 24 for a free webcast about Play Aggression in Cats with Dr. @Mikel Delgado. 

    The name play aggression is a misnomer as it can be a painful behavior for clients and other pets in the home to live with! This presentation will explain the overlap between play and predatory behavior in cats, and why some cats take their predatory behavior too far. Dr. Delgado will discuss how to distinguish play aggression from other forms of feline aggression. She'll also present several humane ways to help prevent and stop play aggressive behavior, while channeling all of that feline energy in positive directions.

    Register once to be signed up for this free monthly webcast series. 

    We took a break in September to celebrate Maddie's Fund's 30th Anniversary.  If you missed our August webcast about Managing Canine Arousal in the Shelter Setting with Fernando Diaz,  check out the recording or our playlist of all Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection recordings. 

    See you there!


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts

    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Community Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-24-2024 01:15 PM

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks to everyone who was able to join us for a fascinating presentation on play aggression (misdirected predatory behavior) in cats!  We'll be posting answers to questions we weren't able to get to during the presentation here.

    Here's the first one @Mikel Delgado.

    Is there an association of hand licking and the onset of play aggression?



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-24-2024 03:30 PM

    Hi there!

    I'm unaware of any research demonstrating a relationship between these two behaviors. Grooming is a social behavior that cats show toward other individuals (cat or other) that they are friendly with. It's possible that it is just a coincidence that they may also want to "play" with these individuals as well. 



    ------------------------------
    Mikel Delgado
    Cat Behavior Consultant
    Feline Minds
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-24-2024 01:16 PM

    Question for @Mikel Delgado from today's presentation:

    Watching visitors at our shelter interact with cats, nearly all of them move their hands or fingers way too fast or don't let the cat lean into the petting. This nearly always shortens the visit. Is this common?  Is slower always better?

    @Ralph Youngs



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-24-2024 03:31 PM

    There is a great study looking at more "cat-centered" handling in shelters, and how education can lead to better outcomes/interactions: Frontiers | Providing Humans With Practical, Best Practice Handling Guidelines During Human-Cat Interactions Increases Cats' Affiliative Behaviour and Reduces Aggression and Signs of Conflict

    In general, I would say that people tend to approach all cats like cats they've had at home, when instead it is better to let an unfamiliar cat approach us first, and to be gentle, avoiding areas that have been shown to be sensitive in most cats (e.g., tail, paws, stomach) and instead focus on the cheeks/chin and forehead, where most cats enjoy touch!



    ------------------------------
    Mikel Delgado
    Cat Behavior Consultant
    Feline Minds
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-25-2024 11:02 AM

    Here's answers to questions that we didn't have time to get to during the presentation. 

     

    Anonymous attendee      3:30 PM 

    Odd behavior observed in a normall super-chill neutered male: after licking genitals, he would gorwl and would often  attack my hair/head if in bed. 

    Hi there! I would need a lot more information to really comment on what is going on here! But I would probably first check with a veterinarian to make sure that everything is okay - he could be redirecting pain after grooming.

      

    Anonymous attendee      3:32 PM 

    What about cats that seem to need constant stimulation, where it seems that there is not enough stimulation provided, even with attempting a relaxation protocol as well and are on fluoxetine. What would be the next steps for a cat like this? 

    Hello and thank you for the question! A case like this might be best served by a veterinary behaviorist who could help you determine if fluoxetine is the right choice for this kitty. I'd also want to know more about the environment, relationships in the home, as well as potential stressors that could be an underlying cause of what is likely some form of anxiety! There may be other environmental changes that could be helpful, such as harness training, trick training and the like.

      

    How did you become a feline behaviorist? I've been "retired" from working at a nonprofit animal shelter after 18 years due to physical issues but would love to work with cats again. 

    It all started almost 25 years ago when I volunteered and then worked at the San Francisco SPCA, which at the time had a Cat Behavior Department. After working there for 8 years, I went back to school to get a PhD in animal behavior. So -- a combination of hands-on shelter experience and advanced education and research. I also recommend joining professional organizations related to behavior consulting, such as the IAABC as well as on-going educational opportunities that are out there such as conferences and webinars!

     

    Is there an association between play aggression and Length of Stay (LOS) in shelters 

    I don't know of anyone who has studied this, but in theory someone could study it! You'd first need to make sure you had an accurate assessment of the cat's behavior, which can be challenging in a shelter where you only see a limited aspect of the cat's behavior. You'd also need to account for things like which other cats are available for adoption, whether the cat had other traits that make them highly adoptable (e.g., cute, young). My suspicion is that unless the biting and scratching was severe, many of these cats would be appealing to adopters. Previous studies have shown that people are drawn to adopting playful cats.

     

    Do you have special procedures for cats who attack the family dog, or is it still a matter of redirecting play focus? 

    Assuming that the behavior toward the dog was playful and not due to fear or defensiveness...I would definitely recommend redirecting play focus and the other things I mentioned. I find Pattern Games from Leslie McDevitt's books "Control Unleashed" can be helpful exercises for pets that have difficulty being calm around each other, so they may be helpful for both cat and dog. 

    All the above answers are from Dr. Delgado. Because this next one is more of a veterinary behavior question, i answered it.

    We have a 375 day resident that has a "cauliflour" ear after not having a hematoma repaired before coming to us, so poor ceruminous ear drainage (yeast otitis, too, of course) and some hearing loss.  She is very reactive and quick to respond with firm attacks with no warning.  She can't be treated.  She is a torti. The same people who sit with her -and she approaches - may lead to fairly aggressive/ reactive attacks seemingly without warning.  She is very tough to medicate and we want to adopt her out.  I could put her on an SSRI.... Remove the ear, do a Zepp, one quick suggestion, maybe?

    Hi Dr. Garrett, I'm Dr. Sheila Segurson, a veterinary behaviorist, and answering this question because Dr. Delgado is not a veterinarian. Chronic medical conditions and the decision whether to spend a lot of money on treatment with a shelter pet is a difficult one.  While we know that medical problems can certainly impact behavior, we can't guarantee that surgery would eliminate this behavior.  And then you have to decide whether its worth it to spend the money when in the end, she might not be safe to place. If we had info on her behavior before all this happened, the decision would be easier, but that's rare info to have. Have you evaluated her tympanic bulla to see if she has middle ear involvement? Pending that info, i'd consider a lateral ear canal resection (zepp) vs total ear canal ablation +/- bulla osteotomy, but with the knowledge that we don't know if it will be curative for her aggressive behavior. Even if not, she'll feel a lot better so its worth it IMO if you can fundraise for the surgery.  i can't comment on which procedure would be best for her because i'm not a surgeon, except that i'd choose whatever option will eliminate her pain and discomfort. 



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Play Aggression in Cats w/ Dr. Mikel Delgado, Oct 24 at noon PT/3 pm ET - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection

    Posted 10-28-2024 09:25 AM

    Hi everyone,

    If you missed Dr. Mikel Delgado's amazing presentation about play aggression in cats, here's the recording!

    Here's the playlist of previous presentations, which includes our August presentation of Managing Canine Arousal in the Shelter Setting with Fernando Diaz.

    Join us next month on November 21 at noon PT, 3 pm ET where we'll be hearing from Sam Wolfman of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and Wolfman Dog Training and Consulting about introducing shelter dogs to adopter's/foster's dogs! 

    Thx!



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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