Posted on 08/29/2005 6:12:11 AM PDT by billorites
Researchers at the University of Lincoln say petting aggression is a common problem, with more than 20% of household cats showing it.
They are looking for cat owners who have experienced aggressive behaviour from their pets to video their experiences for the study.
Theories for aggression include boredom or the need to reassert control.
| We want to see occasions when it does as well as when it does not happen Professor Daniel Mills |
"There are many theories as to why so-called 'petting aggression' occurs.
"It could be a sign that the cat is simply getting fed up with the owner, or it could be a response to the ecstasy of being stroked, or it could be the cat trying to assert control.
"The truth is that we simply don't know the reason for this behaviour.
"The aim of this study is to look more closely at exactly when such aggression occurs so that we can help prevent it and treat it more effectively."
He said his team wanted to gather video evidence of cats attacking owners.
"We want to see occasions when it does as well as when it does not happen," he said.
It says University of Lincoln. Where's that? I hope not in the US. I certainly don't want my tax dollars spent on cat psychologists.
Swatting at your hand to say "no more" is one thing. Biting is another.
My tax dollars at work...
Because they don't like it.
There, problem solved. Where's my grant money?
Cats can be evil. I've owned a few.
They plot for your death as soon as they can work the can openner./sarcasm off/
Cats are not pack animals like dogs. If you tick them off, they will fight back and don't want to please you at all.
Maybe it's because they're cats and that's what they do.
;^)
I have a half-burmese, half-siamese who is playful, but very serious about his play.
He likes to wrestle with me, but after a minute he gets down to it- ears back, tail thrashing- and he grabs and bites. It's like not play anymore, but a serious struggle for survival to him. And he won't run, or try to slowly retreat, even after I push him away or give him a whack. He will stand and keep attacking my hand or, if I turn away, my ankle. Never seen anything quite like it.
Haven't we already determined that the problem with your cat's aggression is simply brain damage?
I am still waiting for my check for NOT growing corn.
See, there's the problem. Cats don't have hands!
No, but they can be pretty forceful with those little paws of theirs when they want to tell my wife and me that they've had enough. We understand that. Biting is NOT acceptable.
Dogs have owners.
Cats have staff.
Frankly, I would rather spend my tax dollars on cats that the Palestinians.
Cats are a lot more predictably and true blue than Palis (which is saying more about Palis than cats).
I think a lot has to do with how much they were handled as kittens. I've had several cats throughout my life, and those I adopted after their kitten years had widedly different responses to physical touch: some responded well, some were nearly feral (i.e., don't touch me). Those I adopted as kittens and who received lots of gentle handling grew to be pretty mellow cats.
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