Description

Petting intolerance is manifested by growling, biting, and scratching

at the time of petting. These behaviors may occur when a person

initiates petting, when a certain type of petting is performed,

or when petting ceases.

Because cats often include humans in their social hierarchy,

some assertive cats may also attempt to control people by being

“pushy” or “bossy” when held or petted. These latter behaviors

may indicate status aggression, especially if they are directed only

toward people who do not hold a position of control or leadership

over the cat.

Causes

The cause of petting intolerance is not well understood. Genetics

may play a role, because some cats are more likely to exhibit intolerance

to petting than others. In some instances, the cat may object

to petting performed on one or more parts of the body, such as the

back or stomach. When cats groom each other, they usually concentrate

on the head and neck, so stroking other parts of the body

may be foreign to them and may trigger a defensive reaction.

Owner interactions can vary widely with cats that exhibit petting

intolerance. In some instances, the owner may have minimal

physical contact with the cat, whereas in other situations the owner

may attempt to hold and pet the cat for long periods. In some cases,

the cat accepts petting for a period of time, but when some threshold

is met the cat no longer wants to be petted.

Clinical Signs

With petting intolerance, the cat becomes aggressive only when

it is handled and petted. The petting is commonly initiated by the

person. The cat may provide subtle clues of its intention to bite or

scratch before it acts aggressively. Such clues may include twitching

of the tail or ears, rippling of the skin, licking, dilation of the

pupils, and low-volume growling.

With status aggression, the cat may actually seek out the owner,

block the owner’s path, and manifest behaviors that indicate a

desire for attention, such as head butting and rubbing. Assertive

behaviors may occur, including unwillingness to be moved from

a resting place, blocking access to doorways, and mock predatory

actions as people pass by.

Diagnostic Tests

The behavioral history commonly indicates that some form of petting

intolerance is present, but careful examination of the situation

and behaviors may be needed to determine whether status aggression

is a component of the condition.

Treatment Options

If certain actions trigger petting intolerance, they should be

avoided. For example, if the cat has a certain threshold for duration

of petting, then limit the time of petting. If petting a certain

area of the body induces aggression, then avoid that area. If the cat

becomes aggressive only when the human initiates petting, do not

lift, hold, or pet the cat unless it seeks the attention.

Try to separate all petting from physical restraint, so that the

two situations are not connected in the cat’s mind. Desensitization

and counter-conditioning techniques may be tried to improve the

cat’s acceptance of petting. These techniques can be outlined by

your veterinarian.

With status aggression, it is important for the people involved

to take a stronger leadership role with the cat. Punishment is inappropriate,

but positive reinforcement techniques may be used. With

positive reinforcement, rewards are given when the cat behaves

in a compliant, appropriate fashion. Your veterinarian can also

provide you with techniques for either ignoring or interrupting

assertive behaviors. For cats that become highly aroused, medical

therapy with fluoxetine, sertraline, clomipramine, amitriptyline, or

other similar agents may be tried.

Follow-up Care

It is important to have clear goals about improving petting intolerance.

Discuss these goals with your veterinarian, and make sure

you understand which corrective actions are appropriate for you to

take. Follow-up visits are helpful in providing feedback and making

modifications in how you approach the situation. Inadvertent

or inappropriate responses on the part of people can make the cat’s

aggression escalate.

Prognosis

If the cat’s needs and tolerance levels can be clearly defined, petting

intolerance can often be resolved by modifying how humans

interact with the cat. Resolving status aggression requires time,

patience, and persistence, but if the cat can be taught to be subordinate

to people in the household, then the prognosis is good.

In some instances, the owner(s) and the cat may be a poor match,

so adoption of another cat with a preference for petting or a less

assertive personality may be considered.