[Inappropriately rough play behaviour and predatory attacks against people by a tomcat. A case report]

Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2013;41(2):117-22.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The owner of a 6-months-old tomcat came to seek help because the cat had attacked her face on a near-daily basis. Through a detailed behavioural history, the cat's behaviour was diagnosed as human-directed predatory attack behaviour, play-related aggression and reduced motor as well as emotional self-control. Within a few weeks, behavioural therapy produced a significant improvement. After 5 months of therapy, the cat showed neither predatory attacks nor inappropriately rough or aggressive behaviour in play towards its owner or other humans.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aggression*
  • Animals
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Cats*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pets*
  • Predatory Behavior*