Fe-BARQ test
2023-09-22
Starting in 2022, NCHK tests all breeding and pet ragdolls, ragamuffins and cats working in Animal Assisted Intervention with the Fe-BARQ test from the University of Pennsylvania.
This is a test of character traits created by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Professor James A. Serpell. The test is in questionnaire form and contains 100 questions divided into thematic units.
It charts the cat's activity, natural behavior, socialization in relation to people, other cats and dogs, possible warning signs in behavior, playfulness, sociability, trainability. The Fe-BARQ test is part of Citizen science, scientific projects in which all interested people can participate without distinction, and from which scientists extract data for further research. A similar test has been developed for dogs. This test is one of the basic tests for integrating cats into the NCHK zoo-rehabilitation program, and it is also the test we use to address behavioral problems - as a control mechanism for the success or failure of behavioral interventions.
Monitoring and evaluation of all values from the Fe-BARQ test should be done holistically - i.e. we should not evaluate the individual data in isolation, but as a whole, ideally along with video recordings and observations in a real situation or from video recordings, and compare them with records from routine observations in a natural environment, such as in the home, and then in an unfamiliar environment if we are assessing a cat for, for example, inclusion in felinotherapy. Only in this way can we get a more accurate picture of the current physical and psychological state of the cat under study.
The following interpretation of the areas of interest is the exclusive interpretation of the NCHK. We observe:
Activity - this varies depending on the cat's age, health and mental state. The activity of a teenage cat will be high, that of a senior cat lower. A warning sign is low activity in a young animal - it may be a psychological problem - intense perception of environmental stress, lack of socialization and the resulting fear of the cat of people and the environment, congenital neurological anomalies including sensory perception disorders. Here it is appropriate to think carefully about the cat's environment and its sensory anomalies. Depending on this, it is necessary to make the necessary adjustments, or to find a new home for the cat and/or to start intensive work to improve the cat's psychological well-being. In any case, a consultation with a specialist is necessary. There may also be a physical problem. This is especially true if the reduced activity appears suddenly. If we see a sharp drop in the activity of an otherwise vital animal, we should see a vet immediately. If treatment is started for physical problems (e.g., pain reduction, etc.) and if we train and work with the cat, the readings should improve over time. We can assess this in a repeat test. If there is no improvement, behavioral and physical intervention should be re-evaluated and if problems persist, strictly remove the cat from the breeding program if it is a breeding individual. The activity of cats enrolled in AAI programs must be consistent with the activation requirements of the target group being worked with. For example, if we are choosing to include an older, calm animal with lower activity levels in AAI, it may be appropriate for remedial reading for calm children or for relaxation activities for seniors - for example, sitting together with petting. A young cat with relatively high activity may be appropriate for inclusion in more physically demanding play with children - promoting motor skills including running and movement-focused play activation.
Socialisation relative to humans - varies depending on innate factors but also on the successful socialisation phase experienced. If the cat lags behind the normal average in this area, we can try more intensive socialization training and environmental modification, but the innate individual disposition must be respected. We do not force the cat to do anything. Consultation with a specialist in behavioural counselling is necessary.
Vocalisation - increased vocalisation (above the normal average) may be due to a desire to attract attention, but may also be due to sensory perception disorders such as hearing loss, neurological anomalies, disease or dementia. In the case of non-neutered animals, vocalisations are typically during the estrus period. If increased vocalisations occur suddenly, are not typical of the individual and only occur in certain situations, a veterinarian should be seen immediately.
Growling - growling is usually associated with the cat's well-being. In the Fe-BARQ test, only two items in the questionnaire are devoted to purring. In practice, however, it is true that the exact function of purring is still unknown. Cats purr not only when they are calm and relaxed, but also when they are emboldened, or when they need to calm down, and also when they are in pain. It may be a self-soothing mechanism, it may hold a similar function to human relaxation techniques. If the growling is very intense, occurring seemingly without cause, we should carefully note when it occurs and consult a vet or behavioural consultant.
Attention seeking - if the cat is not seeking our attention but is healthy and active, this should be accepted. Every cat is an individual. The reason why a cat does not seek our attention may be due to a poorly formed relationship. This needs to be worked on - clicker training, cognitive and behavioural games are suitable. Repeated Fe-BARQ tests can be a great help - depending on the results in each area, we can focus more on building the relationship. For breeding and AAI we select cats that seek human attention, but do so in a non-intrusive way, making eye contact with us and thus communicating and responding to our gestures.
Aggression toeards strangers - when aggression towards strangers occurs, it is necessary to investigate the causes. It may be that the cat has experienced some trauma that we are unaware of and has associated the situation with a certain smell or sound. This is especially true for cats from a shelter or so-called "second hand". We should carefully record all the circumstances of such an incident - time, lighting conditions, temperature, smells, sounds, devices that are on at the time (ultrasound, low wavelength sounds). The sensory abilities of the cat must also be taken into account, for example, in the area of hearing and smell, which exceed human sensory abilities and the cat may react to something that we cannot register with our human senses. If the cause of the aggressive behaviour cannot be determined, the cat should not be included in either the breeding or the AAI. We should always try to help the cat to experience a sense of security. Professional help should be found.
Aggression towards the owner - can have many causes. In addition to the foreign odors the cat smells from the owner, it can be trauma and lack of sensitivity of the owner to the cat's current mental state, too much pressure put on the cat by the owner, or frustration when the cat's needs are not met. In unneutered cats, aggression towards the owner may be associated with reproductive behaviour, for example if the owner tries to prevent a fight between two unneutered cats. Aggressive behaviour can also be encountered in adolescent cats, where the cat's immediate needs may not be met. Adolescence is difficult not only for humans but also for cats. During adolescence, the maturation of different areas of the brain is gradual and can result in temporary emotional imbalances. If the aggression towards the owner is of a recurrent nature, it is necessary to look for causes - both physical and psychological. We cannot do without the help of a specialist. Sudden aggression can also be the result of injury and pain, for example if the cat has an abscess that is not visible in the longer coat.
Resistance to restraint (movement) - the ability to move, to run away from something that frightens the cat or the ability to fight off such a fear trigger is necessary for survival. It is therefore quite normal that any restriction of mobility is perceived as a potential threat. It very much depends on how good a relationship the owner and cat have with each other and how deep their mutual trust account is. If the cat knows that it can rely on and trust its owner, it will tolerate a temporary restriction in momentum, for example when clipping claws. In general, limb restriction in particular is perceived as the greatest threat to the ability to defend oneself effectively. On the other hand, the use of a tight-fitting vest that serves as a harness gives the cat (and the dog) a sense of security. Perhaps this is why cats are so keen to seek out tighter spaces in which to curl up. Questions on this area are also part of the Fe-BARQ test and should be paid attention to. If our cat prioritises drawers, boxes, laundry baskets and similar household items for resting, perhaps we should help to reinforce her sense of security and give her more confidence.
Aggression towards familiar cats - usually occurs when there are not enough resources in the environment. Resources include not only food, but also places where the cat can store its scent, where it can take refuge from distractions, elevated areas where it can see the space it is in, places where it can rest safely. Resources also include space for the cat to play, sufficient cat litter boxes, their appropriate location, suitable substrate, the opportunity to observe what is happening outside, the opportunity to display natural behaviour. It also includes sufficient toys - and especially the attention and care of the owner. Also, the temperature, humidity and air circulation in the space where the cat is can influence any frustration and resulting jump aggression towards other cats. The cat owner needs to know the body language of the cat and the body language of the other cats in the household and needs to be aware of subtle signs of mismatch. Although cats are not solitary creatures and need their feline family, if they do not have enough resources, conflicts will inevitably occur. There are some cats that do not want to live in a group. This should be respected and it is better to find them a new home where they can be an only child. If we create a harmonious home for cats, we can prevent psychosomatic diseases such as recurrent urinary tract infections or inflammation in the oral cavity.
Aggression towards dogs - if a cat lives in a household with a dog, aggressive behaviour of the cat towards the dog can occur. It is necessary to discover its cause. It may be an age mismatch, for example if you get a kitten with an older dog or vice versa. Aggression can also occur if the territories of both species and boundaries are not clearly defined - for example, if the dog does not let the cat do its business in the cat's litter box, sticks its muzzle in the litter box, takes its toys or chases it. It is up to the owner to recognize the friction points in the relationship between the two species and help the animals find ways to live together in harmony.
Fear of unfamiliar dogs/ cats - in a normal household (no unsupervised outdoor exercise) this issue is not usually encountered
