Introduction
Physical health in cats has been a very commonly reviewed topic. But it also sparks discussions regarding feline mental health. Since mental health research in pets focuses typically on dogs, it is essential to review the existing studies related to cats. Moreover, the almost insignificant amount of data about feline mental health is why this topic needs to be researched more thoroughly and attentively. The paper’s primary objective is to discuss feline mental health based on separation anxiety, behavioral categories, significant symptoms, risk factors, and implications. Also, the paper seeks to give direction for future research studies or where the focus should be on feline mental health.
Separation Anxiety on Feline Mental Health
One of the most common issues that negatively affect a cat’s mental health is separation anxiety. This is caused by psychological reactions caused by a bond between the two sides. It is assumed that cats are not bothered by their owner’s long-term absence (whether it is a vacation or staying in a hospital). However, several studies have stated that this belief is inaccurate (de Souza et al., 2020).
Generally, small animal-caretaker bonding is an important social development among many species, including cats. The absence of a cat’s owner results in an “insecure base,” which accelerates stress levels. According to Behnke et al. (2021), the long-term absence of the cat’s owner deteriorates the secure base effect (SBE), which reduces vocalization or interferes with functional proxy hence heightened anxiety. SBE’s primary purpose is to reduce anxiety and boost the cat’s affiliative and exploratory behaviors, especially in stressful situations.
Research has further clarified how separation may affect feline mental health. An altered version of the Ainsworth test was used for the action. It was discovered that cats were more active and less anxious in the presence of their owner (de Souza et al., 2020). Being alone or accompanied by a stranger caused the opposite reaction. This further validates future studies of separation-related problems in cats.
Cat-caretaker separation is a stressor that influences the functioning of a cat’s central threat response system (CTRS). The severe stress level in cats alters CTRS’s components, including the hypothalamus and some brain structures responsible for the modulation of CTRS’s activities (Buffington & Bain, 2020). The problem affects the cat’s cognitive functioning by altering operant conditioning and attention bias. Separation anxiety also interferes with cats’ expectations and capacity to cope or deal with potentially stressful events.
Schwartz’s Four Behavioral Categories
Another research provided by the Juiz de Fora University has also reviewed said issues in cats. For the study, participants consented to respond to a questionnaire. The first part of the following questionnaire requested basic information (de Souza et al. 2020). The second part reviewed the cats’ behavior during the owners’ absence or visual separation; Schwartz’s four behavioral categories defined separation-related problems, including three additional ones.
The results have presented more specific details regarding separation-related problems in cats. It has been discovered that most of the cats with this issue have demonstrated two or more behaviors related to this condition (de Souza et al., 2020). Fifty percent of the cats matched criteria I and II, and less than one-fifth met all three. This has specified the frequency of this severe issue in domestic cats.
The Ainsworth test indicated that unaccompanied owners or caretakers display inactive behaviors and slowed alertness frequency (de Souza Machado et al., 2020). For instance, some cats become unstable and show abnormal psychological reactions. Behavioral problems caused by cat-owner separation explain why abandonment-related cases are expected in U.S., U.K., and Japan. In developed countries, most pet owners are working-class and hence can take time to interact with their pet cats. The same group does not tolerate cats’ destructive behavior or aggressiveness.
Significant Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Separation
The research revealed that depression was the most commonly reported sign caused by separation from the owner. The other symptoms were: vocalization, anxiety and agitation, and inappropriate urination. In the cats in the separation anxiety group, the frequency of all of the symptoms was higher than in non-SRP cats (de Souza et al., 2020). However, the general population has been reported to demonstrate destructive behavior as the most common sign.
According to de Souza Machado et al. (2020), separation causes cats to become attention seekers or clingy. In other words, cats experiencing separation anxiety can do anything or associate with anyone to remain comfortable. Owners believe that comfort and attention-seeking, and clinginess are cats’ reactions when “lonely,” and the behavior can be conditioned. Cats are sensitive to social reinforcement; hence can prepare their attention-seeking behaviors to suit their desired needs.
Pain and physical health problems can also be a contributor to a cat’s poor mental state. Thus, cats have been known to demonstrate very problematic behavior (Mills et al., 2020). Since owners of some cats tend to be surprised by said traits, it can be implied that physical disorders may negatively affect the animals’ mental health as well. This explains why vets can use unusual behavior (such as aggression) to review a pet’s condition.
Cats involved in “house-soiling” due to separation anxiety experience unexplained painful micturition. The problem results in bruised legs and weak claws in cats. Anxiety separation is detrimental to cats and can result in multiple severe injuries. According to Mills et al. (2020), house soiling among cats can also cause interstitial cystitis associated with unbearable pain. Besides, physical health problems are some of the reasons cats escape from their homes or ignore their caretakers.
Risk Factors for Feline Mental Health-Related Problems
While data on the correlation between some diseases and aggression may be minimal, others describe a detailed image of it. Arthritis and dental infections have caused cats to demonstrate defensiveness and severe fearfulness (Mills et al., 2020). Gastrointestinal problems can also lead to a cat’s aggressive behavior. However, most studies are usually more focused on dogs, so further research regarding domestic cats and pain-related mental issues is required.
Stress is the primary risk factor for feline mental health-related problems. According to Poole (2020), stress triggers feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), increasing sympathoneural outflow. The process causes a mental problem when the adrenal cortex is not activated. GAG’s abnormality accelerates urinary solutes, which causes tissue injury which interferes with the adrenal cortex. Also, altered pH and electrolyte imbalance may cause the cat’s glycosaminoglycan layer to have abnormal functioning.
Implications and Future Research
Having reviewed the data mentioned above from two sources, anyone can notice the pattern. Scientific research on pets’ mental health is usually focused on dogs. Misconceptions about cats could cause a shortage of data. In other words, the issue of feline mental health is severe due to the minuscule review of this topic. This is why scientists should discover more information about cats’ mental health.
The recommended areas will help improve cats’ mental health and reduce potential problematic behaviors. More importantly, researchers should pay attention to FIC since it is the most common condition triggering feline mental health-related problems in cats. Scholars and cat vets should look into FIC’s pathogenesis, epidemiology, nutrition, and drug therapy. Lastly, future research should investigate the impact of the Secure Base Effect on feline mental health and how it influences cats’ olfactory cues.
Conclusion
Generally, cats can struggle with mental health issues as well. Two of the most common causes are separation from the owner and physical health problems. When their owner is absent or visually separated, felines struggle with mental issues. Pain caused by gastrointestinal and dental issues can make cats unusually aggressive. Unfortunately, studies regarding this correlation are usually focused on dogs, so further research is required. Researching feline idiopathic cystitis, secure base effect, and olfactory cues will help improve cats’ well-being and safety.
References
Behnke, A. C., Vitale, K. R., & Udell, M. A. (2021). The effect of owner presence and scent on stress resilience in cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 243, 105444. Web.
Buffington, C. T., & Bain, M. (2020). Stress and feline health. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 50(4), 653-662. Web.
de Souza Machado, D., Oliveira, P. M. B., Machado, J. C., Ceballos, M. C., & Sant’Anna, A. C. (2020). Identification of separation-related problems in domestic cats: A questionnaire survey. PloS one, 15(4), e0230999. Web.
Mills, D. S., Demontigny-Bédard, I., Gruen, M., Klinck, M. P., McPeake, K. J., Barcelos, A. M., Hewison, L., von Haevermaet, H., Denenberg, S., Hauser, H., Koch, C., Ballantyne, K., Wilson, C., V Mathkari, C., Pounder, J., Garcia, E., Darder, P., Fatjo, J. & Levine, E. (2020). Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs. Animals, 10(2), 318. Web.
Poole, A. (2020). Feline idiopathic cystitis: what to suggest. The Veterinary Nurse, 11(4), 161-165. Web.