title: Human-directed aggression in the cat.
abstract: Feline aggression-between cats or directed at humans-is, after inappropriate elimination and urine-marking behaviors, the second most common reason cats are seen by behavioral specialists. For diagnosis and treatment it is important to determine the motivation for the aggression. The more common causes for human-directed aggression in cats include play, fear, petting intolerance, and redirected aggression. Other causes include pain and maternal behavior. Sexually motivated and status related aggression are much more rare. Treatment includes a combination of behavioral modification, environmental modification, and, in some cases, medication.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. curtist@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Terry Marie
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Curtis
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002415:Cats / Q000523:psychology*; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents