Functional analysis and treatment of feline aggression in an animal shelter.

Abstract

Cats who engage in aggression in animal shelters may be less likely to be adopted and are at risk for euthanasia. Currently, the best methods for reducing aggressive behavior exhibited by cats are unclear. Functional analysis (FA) is an assessment approach known to be successful in identifying the variables that maintain problem behavior exhibited by humans and some nonhuman animal species. By identifying the variables that maintain the problem behavior, function-based interventions can be developed to treat the problem behavior. However, no studies utilizing FA of problem behavior, such as aggression, exhibited by cats have been published. In the current study, we conducted FAs of aggressive behavior for three shelter cats with aggression that was hindering their adoption. Results showed that all three cats exhibited aggression maintained by escape from humans; therefore, a counterconditioning and extinction treatment was used to reduce problem behavior. For all cats, an 80% reduction in problem behavior relative to baseline was achieved.

Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, and Animal Welfare: A History of Behavior Analysis in Zoos

“…However, coming full circle, researchers are now successfully adapting and using behavioral protocols developed for use with people to impact animal welfare. For example, functional analysis protocols have been used to assess and treat problem behaviors in animals [87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96], and this function-based approach that emphasizes the identification and modification of existing behavior-environment relationships may help provide a framework that allows animal caregivers both a deeper understanding of behavior and the ability to move beyond the reliance of artificial reinforcers when modifying behavior [61]. In addition, empirical preference assessments have been successfully used in a variety of species [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111] with promise for improving training effectiveness.…”

Functional analyses of undesirable behavior by nonhumans: A concise review

“…In addition, it is unclear whether inclusion of precursors to dangerous behaviors may produce valid results while minimizing safety risks (Heath & Smith, 2019), as only one study included precursors (e.g., freezing, staring, stiffening) in the analysis (Mehrkam et al, 2020). Authors from two additional studies noted that this topic merits further investigation (i.e., Fritz et al, 2022; Salmeron et al, 2021).…”

Applied behavior analysis and the zoo: Forthman and Ogden (1992) thirty years later

“…This functional approach to reducing abnormal behaviors exhibited by animals has many benefits, but it also has some limitations. Although most of the functional analyses conducted with zoo‐housed species have involved primates (Table 1 ), the inclusion of a vulture (Morris & Slocum, 2019 ) as well as the success of this approach in companion dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) and cats ( Felis catus ; Dorey et al, 2012 ; Hall et al, 2015 ; Mehrkam et al, 2020 ; Pfaller‐Sadovsky et al, 2019 ; Salmeron et al, 2021 ; Winslow et al, 2018 ) suggests that it can be useful across a range of species. However, these assessments are time‐ and labor‐intensive, and they can only be used to assess antecedents and consequences that can be systematically presented and withdrawn.…”