ABSTRACT OF THE WEEK

Journal of veterinary behavior : clinical applications and research
Volume 9 | Issue 5 (September/October 2014)

An owner survey of toys, activities, and behavior problems in indoor cats

J Vet Behav. September/October 2014;9(5):207–214. 46 Refs

Beth L Strickler¹, Elizabeth A Shull

¹ Veterinary Behavior Solutions, Fall Branch, TN, USA. drbeth@vetbehaviorsolutions.com

Author Abstract

The objective of this study was to survey the owners regarding the frequency and duration of their daily interactions with their indoor cats, the provision of toys and activities by the cat owners, and the prevalence of 6 selected behavior problems (aggression to owner, aggression to visitors, periuria, inappropriate defecation, inter-household cat aggression, and intercat aggression to outdoor cats). The sample population was 277 clients from 5 veterinary practices who presented their domestic cat for anything except a behavior problem. The average number of toys and activities reported by owners per cat was 7, and the most common toys/activities used by owners in this survey were furry mice (64%), catnip toys (62%), and balls with bells (62%). A total of 78% of the owners reported that they leave the cat's toy(s) available all the time. All owners reported playing with their cat, whereas most owners (64%) played with their cat more than 2 times per day and reported play bout durations of 5 (33%) or 10 minutes (25%). Owners who reported play bout time of 5 minutes or more reported fewer behavioral problems than those with play bouts of 1 minute (P < 0.05). A total of 61% of the owners reported that their cat engaged in 1 or more of the 6 selected behavior problem(s), but only 54% of the owners who reported behavior problems in their cats reported that they had talked to their veterinarian about the problem. The 2 most frequently reported behavior problems were aggression to the owners (36%) and periuria (24%). Female cats were 50% less likely to be reported to have 1 or more behavior problems than males despite an equal sex distribution in the survey population (P < 0.05). The relationship between individual behavior problems and individual toys and activities was evaluated by use of a logistic stepwise regression. These findings are discussed as they relate to the understanding of behavioral needs of indoor-housed cats and the potential role of environmental enrichment in the home setting.

Companion Notes

Non-probability, convenience sample design owner survey of toys, activities and behavior problems in indoor cats

Study design

- introduction on toys and activities for cats

- behavior problems are a common reason for removal from a home

- perhaps 10-28% of shelter cats are surrendered due to behavior problems

- most common behavior problems reported at relinquishment

- house soiling

- inter-pet problems

- aggression toward humans

- 35% of owners keep their cats indoors all the time

(American Bird Conservancy Cats Indoors!, 1997)

- 56% keep their cats inside at least part of the day

(American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2003-2004 National Pet

Owners Survey)

- behavioral wellness of indoor lifestyle for cats not adequately assessed

- environmental enrichment

- involves alterations in the following:

- physiological needs (food, water and shelter

- meeting all behavioral needs (species and individual-specific)

- environmental complexity

- fulfilling exercise requirements

- in 1 report of captive small felids

- providing live fish or intact carcasses decreased stereotyped pacing

- also increased exploratory behavior

- leopards provided places to hide had lower pacing and cortisol levels

- enrichment probably would benefit domestic cats in the home

- study population:

- 277 clients from 5 veterinary clinics in northeast Tennessee

- their cat presented for anything except a behavior problem

- procedure:

- survey of the owners regarding the following:

- information on their daily interactions with their indoor cats

- provision of toys and activities

- prevalence of 6 selected behavior problems

- aggression to owner

- aggression to visitors

- periuria [urination in inappropriate locations]

- inappropriate defecation

- inter-household cat aggression

- intercat aggression to outdoor cats

- 350 surveys distributed over 6 months with 283 returned

- 7 were excluded because survey was not completed or cat was outdoor

Results

- average number of toys and activities per cat, 7

- most common toys/activities used by owners

- furry mice, 64%

- catnip toys, 62%

- balls with bells, 62%

- stuffed toys, 59%

- scratching post, 55%

- boxes, 50%

- balls without bells, 49%

- string toys, 41%

- paper bags, 40%

- fishing pole toys, 39%

- 78% of the owners left cat's toy(s) available all the time

- 100% play with their cat at least once a month

- 64% played with their cat most often more than 2 times per day

- play bout durations were of 5 (33%) or 10 minutes (25%)

- 17% played with their cat once a day

- 9% played with their cat twice a day

- 5% played with their cat twice a week

- 4% played with their cat once a week

- among owners with play bout time of 5 minutes or more

- they reported fewer behavioral problems than those with bouts of 1 minute

- average number of behavior problems by duration of play bouts

- 1 minute bouts: ~ 2.25

- 5 minute bouts: ~ 1.0

- 10 minute bouts: ~ 1.0

- 15 minute bouts: ~ 1.4

- 30 minute bouts: ~ 0.8

- 60 minute bouts: ~ 1.2

- 61% of owners reported their cat engaged in 1 or more of the 6 behavior problems

- 54% of these had talked to their veterinarian about the problem

- aggression to the owners, 36%

- periuria, 24%

- floor, 25 cats

- furniture, 8 cats

- carpet, 4

- wall, 3

- everywhere, 2

- clothing, 1

- inter-household cat aggression, 21%

- aggression to visitors, 14%

- inappropriate defecation, 13%

- intercat aggression with outdoor cats, 12%

- female cats were 50% less likely reported to have 1 or more behavior problems

- as compared to sex:M cats (equal sex distribution in survey population)

- demographics of the cats

- average age: 5 years of age with a range of 6 weeks to 18 years of age

- neutered, 81%

- declawed, 29%

- indoor-only, 63%

- average number of cats in home, 2.19 with a range of 1-14 cats in home

"The results suggest that owners who report playing with their cat for 5 or more minutes per play bout reported fewer behavior problems than those who reported play bouts of 1-minute duration."

Keywords

feline, enrichment, play behavior, behavior problems

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