Cat ​Behavior​ ​Modification​

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Your​ ​cat​ ​can​ ​be​ ​easily​ ​stressed​ ​or​ ​frightened​ ​by​ ​all​ ​sorts​ ​of​ ​things​ ​that​ ​happen​ ​in​ ​or​ ​around​ ​your​ ​home.​  ​The​ ​cat behavior​ ​modification​ ​techniques​ ​of​ ​desensitization​ ​and​ ​counter-conditioning​ ​can​ ​help​ ​your​ ​feline​ ​to​ ​be​ ​happier​ ​and more​ ​well-adjusted.​ ​ These​ ​terms​ ​may​ ​sound​ ​technical,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​techniques​ ​are​ ​actually​ ​quite​ ​simple.

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What​ ​are​ ​desensitization​ ​and​ ​counter-conditioning?

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Systematic​ ​desensitization​ ​and​ ​counter-conditioning​ ​(DS/CC)​ ​are​ ​the​ ​main​ ​techniques​ ​behaviorists​ ​use​ ​to​ ​change​ ​a cat’s​ ​negative​ ​response​ ​to​ ​specific​ ​triggers​ ​(or​ ​stimuli)​ ​in​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​situations.​ ​ These​ ​triggers​ ​can​ ​include​ ​strangers, other​ ​cats,​ ​dogs,​ ​sounds,​ ​petting,​ ​etc.​ ​ These​ ​techniques​ ​can​ ​have​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​effect​ ​on​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​behavior​ ​if​ ​they​ ​are done​ ​properly.​ ​ The​ ​goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​replace​ ​an​ ​unwanted​ ​emotional​ ​reaction​ ​—​ ​such​ ​as​ ​fear,​ ​anxiety​ ​or​ ​aggressive​ ​arousal​ ​— with​ ​a​ ​more​ ​relaxed,​ ​comfortable​ ​reaction.​ ​ More​ ​desirable,​ ​acceptable​ ​behaviors​ ​will​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​calmer​ ​emotional​ ​state.

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Systematic​ ​desensitization​ ​is​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​gradually​ ​reintroducing​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​to​ ​a​ ​stimulus.​  ​Counter-conditioning​ ​is​ ​the process​ ​of​ ​reinforcing​ ​a​ ​substitute​ ​emotional​ ​response.​ ​ When​ ​these​ ​two​ ​techniques​ ​are​ ​combined,​ ​the​ ​unwanted behavior​ ​is​ ​replaced​ ​with​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​behavior​ ​through​ ​a​ ​gradual​ ​process​ ​of​ ​reintroducing​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​and​ ​rewarding your​ ​cat​ ​for​ ​remaining​ ​calm.

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How​ ​do​ ​I​ ​start​ ​the​ ​DS/CC​ ​process?

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You​ ​want​ ​to​ ​set​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​up​ ​to​ ​succeed,​ ​so​ ​the​ ​DS/CC​ ​process​ ​should​ ​be​ ​carried​ ​out​ ​in​ ​such​ ​small​ ​steps​ ​that​ ​the problem​ ​behavior​ ​never​ ​happens.​ ​ If​ ​you​ ​attempt​ ​DS/CC​ ​when​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​is​ ​already​ ​anxious​ ​or​ ​aroused,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​likely​ ​be ignored.​ ​ You​ ​need​ ​to​ ​start​ ​in​ ​a​ ​quiet,​ ​neutral​ ​setting​ ​and​ ​only​ ​gradually​ ​build​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​where​ ​the​ ​problem occurs.​  ​If​ ​the​ ​steps​ ​are​ ​too​ ​large,​ ​or​ ​you​ ​proceed​ ​too​ ​quickly,​ ​these​ ​techniques​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​effective.

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Initially,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​any​ ​situations​ ​in​ ​which​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​has​ ​displayed​ ​the​ ​unwanted​ ​behavior.​ ​ Every​ ​time​ ​your cat​ ​displays​ ​this​ ​behavior,​ ​the​ ​behavior​ ​is​ ​being​ ​practiced​ ​and​ ​reinforced.​ ​ Therefore,​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​success​ ​of the​ ​behavior​ ​modification,​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​exposed​ ​to​ ​the​ ​triggers​ ​that​ ​cause​ ​the​ ​unwanted​ ​or​ ​unacceptable behaviors.​  ​For​ ​example,​ ​if​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​reacts​ ​badly​ ​to​ ​petting,​ ​don’t​ ​pet​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​for​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of​ ​time.​  ​Avoidance​ ​may​ ​also be​ ​a​ ​necessary​ ​safety​ ​precaution​ ​for​ ​your​ ​situation.

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Do​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​way​ ​I​ ​interact​ ​with​ ​my​ ​cat?

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Yes,​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​necessary.​  ​Cats​ ​who​ ​are​ ​physically​ ​corrected​ ​(e.g.,​ ​scolded,​ ​scruffed,​ ​yelled​ ​at,​ ​hit​ ​on​ ​the​ ​nose)​ ​or rewarded​ ​for​ ​undesirable​ ​behaviors​ ​(e.g.,​ ​given​ ​food​ ​when​ ​they​ ​meow​ ​incessantly)​ ​may​ ​become​ ​more​ ​anxious​ ​or aggressive​ ​in​ ​association​ ​with​ ​the​ ​stimulus.​ ​ You​ ​should​ ​also​ ​avoid​ ​reassuring​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​if​ ​you​ ​see​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety​ ​or aggression,​ ​since​ ​you​ ​will​ ​only​ ​reinforce​ ​these​ ​behaviors.​ ​ Finally,​ ​keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​whenever​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​successfully threatens​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​and​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​retreats,​ ​the​ ​behavior​ ​is​ ​further​ ​reinforced.

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What​ ​else​ ​can​ ​I​ ​do​ ​to​ ​prepare?

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Before​ ​beginning​ ​the​ ​DS/CC,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​need​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​how​ ​to​ ​reward​ ​your​ ​cat.​ ​ Some​ ​examples​ ​are​ ​their​ ​favorite tasty​ ​treats​ ​(small​ ​bits​ ​of​ ​tuna​ ​or​ ​chicken,​ ​commercial​ ​cat​ ​treats,​ ​or​ ​canned​ ​food),​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​coveted​ ​toy,​ ​and/or​ ​attention from​ ​you​ ​(e.g.,​ ​praise​ ​or​ ​petting).​ ​ Make​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​reward​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​is​ ​truly​ ​enticing​ ​to​ ​your​ ​cat,​ ​something​ ​she​ ​will​ ​really anticipate.

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For​ ​the​ ​DS/CC​ ​to​ ​be​ ​successful,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​need​ ​to​ ​reward​ ​every​ ​positive​ ​behavior​ ​that​ ​occurs​ ​during​ ​the​ ​sessions.​ ​ You’ll also​ ​need​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​each​ ​session​ ​carefully​ ​and​ ​systematically.​ ​ Before​ ​starting​ ​each​ ​session,​ ​think​ ​through​ ​the​ ​steps​ ​you will​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take.

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What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​technique?

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The​ ​stimulus​ ​that​ ​causes​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​unwanted​ ​emotional​ ​reaction​ ​and​ ​subsequent​ ​problem​ ​behavior​ ​will​ ​be reintroduced​ ​in​ ​a​ ​series​ ​of​ ​steps​ ​during​ ​which​ ​you’ll​ ​gradually​ ​change​ ​either​ ​the​ ​intensity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​or​ ​the​ ​distance to​ ​the​ ​stimulus.​ ​ You​ ​can​ ​change​ ​the​ ​intensity​ ​by​ ​altering​ ​the​ ​duration,​ ​the​ ​loudness,​ ​the​ ​location,​ ​the​ ​speed​ ​of movement,​ ​or​ ​the​ ​components​ ​and​ ​response​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stimulus.

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Start​ ​the​ ​DS/CC​ ​at​ ​the​ ​lowest​ ​intensity​ ​and/or​ ​at​ ​the​ ​furthest​ ​distance​ ​that​ ​results​ ​in​ ​no​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety​ ​or​ ​concern​ ​from your​ ​cat.​ ​ For​ ​example,​ ​if​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​is​ ​afraid​ ​of​ ​strangers,​ ​test​ ​out​ ​how​ ​far​ ​away​ ​a​ ​stranger​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​for​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​to remain​ ​relaxed.​  ​Present​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​to​ ​the​ ​cat,​ ​and​ ​reward​ ​him​ ​for​ ​his​ ​relaxed​ ​attitude​ ​and​ ​behavior. ​ ​Repeat​ ​the stimulus​ ​over​ ​multiple​ ​sessions,​ ​and​ ​reward​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​for​ ​positive​ ​behavior.

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Once​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​is​ ​consistently​ ​“good”​ ​at​ ​that​ ​low​ ​intensity​ ​and​ ​is​ ​anticipating​ ​the​ ​reward,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​move​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​next level​ ​by​ ​increasing​ ​the​ ​intensity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​or​ ​by​ ​decreasing​ ​the​ ​distance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​stimulus.​  ​Do​ ​not​ ​decrease​ ​the distance​ ​and​ ​increase​ ​the​ ​intensity​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time;​ ​make​ ​only​ ​one​ ​change​ ​at​ ​a​ ​time.​ ​ To​ ​ensure​ ​success,​ ​it​ ​is important​ ​to​ ​make​ ​very​ ​small​ ​changes.​ ​ Keep​ ​in​ ​mind​ ​that​ ​the​ ​DS/CC​ ​should​ ​be​ ​performed​ ​at​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​pace​ ​—​ ​not yours.​ ​ If​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​does​ ​react​ ​negatively,​ ​lower​ ​the​ ​intensity​ ​or​ ​increase​ ​the​ ​distance​ ​until​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​doesn’t​ ​react​ ​badly.

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The​ ​positive​ ​emotional​ ​response​ ​and​ ​behaviors​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​reinforcing​ ​and​ ​rewarding​ ​should​ ​be​ ​incompatible​ ​with​ ​the unwanted​ ​behavior.​ ​ For​ ​example,​ ​sitting​ ​and​ ​eating​ ​quietly​ ​are​ ​positive​ ​behaviors​ ​that​ ​are​ ​incompatible​ ​with​ ​hissing​ ​or even​ ​sitting​ ​but​ ​appearing​ ​anxious.​ ​ Thus,​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​associates​ ​the​ ​low​ ​level​ ​of​ ​negative​ ​stimulus​ ​with​ ​the​ ​positive​ ​reward for​ ​a​ ​relaxed​ ​state.​ ​ Your​ ​cat​ ​will​ ​gradually​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​associate​ ​good​ ​things​ ​with​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​positive response.

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Should​ ​I​ ​watch​ ​for​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety,​ ​arousal,​ ​or​ ​aggression?

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It​ 's​ ​vital​ ​that​ ​you​ ​watch​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​for​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety,​ ​arousal,​ ​or​ ​aggression.​ ​ Early​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety​ ​or​ ​arousal​ ​include dilated​ ​pupils,​ ​tense​ ​body​ ​posture,​ ​sniffing​ ​the​ ​ground,​ ​scratching​ ​at​ ​a​ ​body​ ​part,​ ​vocalizing,​ ​shifting​ ​eyes,​ ​and/or flattened​ ​ears.​ ​ The​ ​less​ ​subtle​ ​signs​ ​include​ ​not​ ​accepting​ ​the​ ​reward​ ​or​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​treat​ ​in​ ​an​ ​altered​ ​manner​ ​(e.g., snapping​ ​it​ ​out​ ​of​ ​your​ ​hand​ ​or​ ​taking​ ​a​ ​treat​ ​and​ ​then​ ​dropping​ ​it),​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​the​ ​stimulus,​ ​hair​ ​standing​ ​up,​ ​a “bottlebrush”​ ​tail,​ ​and/or​ ​backing​ ​away.​ ​ Signs​ ​of​ ​aggression​ ​include​ ​growling,​ ​hissing,​ ​swatting,​ ​scratching,​ ​lunging​ ​and biting.

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Should​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​display​ ​any​ ​early​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​anxiety,​ ​aggression​ ​or​ ​the​ ​problem​ ​behavior​ ​during​ ​a​ ​session,​ ​you​ ​should move​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​stimulus.​ ​ The​ ​stimulus​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​moved​ ​except​ ​when​ ​the​ ​stimulus​ ​is​ ​a​ ​person​ ​or animal​ ​who​ ​is​ ​in​ ​danger​ ​of​ ​being​ ​harmed.​ ​ The​ ​main​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​this​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​do​ ​not​ ​want​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​behavior​ ​to​ ​dictate the​ ​behavior​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stimulus,​ ​since​ ​this​ ​reinforces​ ​the​ ​negative​ ​behavior.​ ​ Your​ ​cat​ ​should​ ​be​ ​moved​ ​to​ ​a​ ​distance​ ​at which​ ​the​ ​problem​ ​behavior​ ​is​ ​not​ ​displayed​ ​and​ ​then​ ​rewarded​ ​for​ ​the​ ​display​ ​of​ ​calm​ ​behavior.​ ​ At​ ​this​ ​point,​ ​end​ ​this session.​ ​ You​ ​should​ ​always​ ​try​ ​to​ ​end​ ​the​ ​sessions​ ​by​ ​rewarding​ ​a​ ​display​ ​of​ ​positive​ ​behavior.

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How​ ​long​ ​will​ ​DS/CC​ ​take?

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DS/CC​ ​takes​ ​time,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​process​ ​must​ ​be​ ​gradual​ ​for​ ​it​ ​to​ ​be​ ​successful.​ ​ Since​ ​progress​ ​is​ ​often​ ​slow,​ ​it​ ​helps​ ​to maintain​ ​a​ ​journal​ ​of​ ​the​ ​behavior​ ​so​ ​that​ ​you​ ​can​ ​track​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​progress.​ ​ In​ ​the​ ​journal,​ ​record​ ​the​ ​stimulus, intensity/distance,​ ​situation,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​response.

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Problems​ ​usually​ ​arise​ ​from​ ​progressing​ ​too​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​not​ ​taking​ ​small,​ ​incremental​ ​steps.​ ​ Don’t​ ​progress​ ​faster​ ​than what​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​can​ ​accept​ ​and​ ​remember​ ​to​ ​end​ ​the​ ​session​ ​by​ ​rewarding​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​behavior​ ​before​ ​your​ ​cat​ ​becomes anxious​ ​or​ ​aggressive.​  ​Since​ ​the​ ​problem​ ​behavior​ ​took​ ​time​ ​to​ ​develop,​ ​look​ ​for​ ​small,​ ​incremental​ ​improvements rather​ ​than​ ​instant​ ​results.

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If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not​ ​successful​ ​with​ ​implementing​ ​DS/CC,​ ​or​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​behavior​ ​modification​ ​to​ ​your situation,​ ​please​ ​consult​ ​with​ ​your​ ​veterinarian​ ​or​ ​a​ ​behaviorist.​ ​ The​ ​reasons​ ​for​ ​your​ ​cat’s​ ​negative​ ​behavior​ ​can​ ​be

very​ ​complex​ ​and​ ​oftentimes​ ​an​ ​experienced​ ​behaviorist​ ​can​ ​offer​ ​detailed,​ ​specific​ ​recommendations​ ​for​ ​you​ ​and​ ​your cat.