Fatores relacionados a problemas de comportamento em gatos1

Abstract

Behavioral problems have importance not only in animal welfare and the quality of human-animal relationship, but also in public health. Behavior problems are a major reason ofabandonment and subsequently the fate of these animals are shelters or even euthanasia.Furthermore, the aggressiveness is a risk factor for zoonoses transmission. In order to assessthe frequency of factors related to behavior problems, information from 229 cats werecollected through a questionnaire applied to tutors awaiting for care in clinics in VeterinaryHospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS). Among the behaviorsscratch furniture was the most common problem (65.1% - CI95%: 58.5 to 71.4%), followed byaggressiveness (61.3% - CI95%: 54.2 to 67, 1%), inappropriate elimination (37.1% - 9 CI95%:31.3 to 42.1%) and excessive vocalization (23.6% - CI95%: 20.1 to 29.8%). Data were analyzedby logistic regression with a logit link function. Univariate analysis identified the presence ofscratching as significant protective factor, that may contribute to the reduction of scratchingfurniture (Relative risk [RR] = 0.31- CI95%: 0:19 to 0:53). Females and frightened cats wereidentified as having more difficulty were for friendly relationship with other cats RR = 3.56(CI95%: 1.78-7.11), RR = 2.84 (95% CI: 1.60-5.04) respectively; also the higher the number ofcats in a residence, the greater the chance for inappropriate elimination. Neutered cats beforepuberty had less chance of developing inappropriate elimination RR = 0:43 (CI95%: 0.21-0.88),and finally, excessive vocalization was related to obtain tutor attention RR = 2.62 (CI95%: 1:54to 4:45). The results of this study may help prevent behavioral problems in domestic cats.