Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats
Summary: Problematic behavior is a remarkable welfare issue in cats (Felis catus), as it is one of the most common reasons for relinquishment. The probability of developing problematic behaviors is likely influenced by several variables, but these remain little studied. In this study, we examined th...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-10-01
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| Series: | iScience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222015371 |
| _version_ | 1811182211596025856 |
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| author | Salla Mikkola Milla Salonen Emma Hakanen Hannes Lohi |
| author_facet | Salla Mikkola Milla Salonen Emma Hakanen Hannes Lohi |
| author_sort | Salla Mikkola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Problematic behavior is a remarkable welfare issue in cats (Felis catus), as it is one of the most common reasons for relinquishment. The probability of developing problematic behaviors is likely influenced by several variables, but these remain little studied. In this study, we examined the associations of fearfulness, aggression toward humans, and excessive grooming with nearly thirty variables in a survey dataset of over 3,200 cats. To identify the most important variables influencing these behaviors, we used generalized linear models. All behaviors were associated with each other suggesting comorbidity between problematic behaviors. Breed and several environmental variables were also associated with behaviors. Poor socialization with humans and a history of being a rescue cat were associated with higher fearfulness, indicating that the proper socialization of kittens is beneficial for avoiding fear-related problematic behaviors. Overall, our study highlights the complexity of three problematic behaviors in cats. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:28:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-61c7b95bdd63410c9bfd7a87826426f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-0042 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:28:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | iScience |
| spelling | doaj.art-61c7b95bdd63410c9bfd7a87826426f72022-12-22T04:31:57ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422022-10-012510105265Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in catsSalla Mikkola0Milla Salonen1Emma Hakanen2Hannes Lohi3Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland; Corresponding authorSummary: Problematic behavior is a remarkable welfare issue in cats (Felis catus), as it is one of the most common reasons for relinquishment. The probability of developing problematic behaviors is likely influenced by several variables, but these remain little studied. In this study, we examined the associations of fearfulness, aggression toward humans, and excessive grooming with nearly thirty variables in a survey dataset of over 3,200 cats. To identify the most important variables influencing these behaviors, we used generalized linear models. All behaviors were associated with each other suggesting comorbidity between problematic behaviors. Breed and several environmental variables were also associated with behaviors. Poor socialization with humans and a history of being a rescue cat were associated with higher fearfulness, indicating that the proper socialization of kittens is beneficial for avoiding fear-related problematic behaviors. Overall, our study highlights the complexity of three problematic behaviors in cats.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222015371biological sciencesethologyzoology |
| spellingShingle | Salla Mikkola Milla Salonen Emma Hakanen Hannes Lohi Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats iScience biological sciences ethology zoology |
| title | Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| title_full | Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| title_fullStr | Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| title_short | Fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| title_sort | fearfulness associates with problematic behaviors and poor socialization in cats |
| topic | biological sciences ethology zoology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222015371 |
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