Stress Reduction For Shelter Cats

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1. Stress for a cat can occur whenever the animal feels:

Frustrated, anxious and/or fearful.

Frustrated, anxious and/or content.

Frustrated, alert and/or fearful.

Comfortable, anxious and/or fearful.

Watchful, anxious and/or fearful.

About This Quiz

Stress Reduction For Shelter Cats - Quiz

Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC and Behavioral Consultant for the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, gives a fantastic presentation at the 2012 ASPCA/Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Conference. Discussed are various strategies for reducing the stress experienced by cats in a shelter environment.

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2. What is the most critical component of a wellness program in a shelter?

Providing outlets for play

Preventing contact with other animals in the shelter to reduce disease transmission

Recognizing and reducing stress

Playing classical music to help calm the animals in the shelter

Keeping a regular schedule and routine

3. In general, cats would rather avoid than confront a fear-provoking situation.

True

False

4. An example(s) of harmful stress to cats include:

Irregular and unpredictable feeding times.

Absence of stroking and petting or other positive interactions by humans.

Unpredictable and unfamiliar manipulations or handling.

Anything that acutely startles the cat, such as loud noises.

All of the above.

5. Some signs of stress in cats are:

Hiding, hyper vigilance, not eating, dilated pupils and rapid ear carriage changes.

Feigned sleep, piloerection, lethargy/depression and salivation.

Twitching tail, social withdrawal, vocalizing and panting.

Lack of grooming, aggression, diarrhea, muscle tension (clenched) and escape attempts.

All of the above.

6. The most common sign of stress in shelter cats that can be easily missed, is a lack of behavior (i.e., lying still in the cage, perhaps feigning sleep).

True

False

7. Which of the following will significantly reduce behavioral measures of stress for cats in the shelter environment?

Providing a suitable place to hide

Moving the cat to a different place in the shelter every other day

Providing visual contact with unfamiliar cats

Restricting human interaction

Keeping the lights on 24 hours a day

8. A caged cat:

Always feels comfortable in the confinement provided by a cage.

Always accepts the cage as his or her new home in a short period of time.

Is always stressed out by the lack of freedom of a cage.

Will accept the confinement of a cage if it is decorated with vibrant colors.

9. Stress:

Reduces welfare.

Increases susceptibility to illness.

Increases the chance for development of problem behaviors.

A, B and C.

B and C.

10. To identify sources of stress, walk through the shelter thinking like a cat, paying attention to:

Sounds, vibrations, smells, sights and colors.

Water, vibrations, smells, sights and temperature.

Sounds, vibrations, smells, sights and temperature.

Sounds, vibrations, smells, pictures and temperature.

Sounds, skirmishes, smells, sights and temperature.

11. Which of the following is LEAST likely to reduce stress in shelter cats?

Providing individual hiding spaces within cages

Using pheromone sprays or diffusers in the shelter environment

Housing cats in large, open rooms with multiple cats

Implementing a predictable daily routine for feeding and cleaning

While social interaction can be beneficial for some cats, housing them in large, open rooms with multiple cats can actually increase stress levels. Cats are generally solitary animals and can feel threatened or overwhelmed in crowded environments. Providing individual hiding spaces, using pheromone sprays to create a calming atmosphere, and establishing a predictable routine are all more effective ways to reduce stress in shelter cats. Sources and related content

Explanation

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Nov 19, 2012

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