Abstract
Two years ago, we undertook a JFMS reader survey that was completed by a large number of ISFM and AAFP members and other readers. We were delighted by the response, and also extremely encouraged that the feedback suggested we have been successfully meeting the goals of JFMS, namely to provide clinically useful and applicable information.
Within the survey, we gave readers an opportunity to let us know the topics they would like to see covered in future, specially themed Clinical Practice issues of the journal. Among the suggestions received, the most popular area by far was feline behaviour. In response, the JFMS team has been working hard to put together three special issues that will cover a wide variety of aspects – from understanding what is normal behaviour for a cat through to tackling common problem behaviours that are encountered in practice.
This is the first of these three special issues; parts 2 and 3 will appear later this year and in early 2019. our aim is that, by taking a comprehensive view of feline behaviour, we will provide information and tools to help prevent problem behaviours developing in the first place, as well as resources to manage the issues if and when they do arise, benefiting feline welfare.
These special issues cover a wide variety of aspects – from understanding what motivates normal feline behaviour, such patrolling and scent-marking a territory (left), to tackling common problem behaviours, such as destructive scratching of household items (right). Images ©shutterstock/201475073 (left) and ©istock/danilovi (right)
We have deliberately drawn from an international pool of authors to reflect that the approach to feline behaviour and problem behaviours depends to an extent on the country or region. As a result, some variation in emphasis and even opinions expressed between the articles is to be expected – this simply reflects cultural differences in the way people approach a complex subject that is far from being fully understood. Additionally, there are differences in the way cats are kept around the world (indoor vs indoor/outdoor vs outdoor cats), as well as in the availability of drugs and other products. Nevertheless, despite these challenges we believe that having a leading group of respected international authors provides an excellent basis for a better approach to feline problem behaviours.
It is interesting to note that global variations also exist in terms of who may be involved in providing behavioural advice to owners. There are veterinarians with specialist behaviour training (and postgraduate qualifications) in many regions now; and in some countries non-veterinarians, such as veterinary nurses and technicians and clinical animal behaviourists, with behavioural expertise and qualifications play an important role in managing problem behaviour cases, working alongside the veterinarian. This means that there is a growing number of individuals with more advanced expertise who may be available to provide further advice or accept referrals in particular situations. However, in most regions veterinarians in first-opinion practice are likely to be the professional most commonly involved in giving behavioural advice to owners, and this is very much the audience we are addressing with these special issues.
We do hope that collectively these issues will prove to be a valuable resource, offering relevant, practical and up-to-date information. our ultimate goal? That the emotional health of cats in our care will be enhanced.