Zeiler, Gareth EdwardFosgate, Geoffrey TheodoreVan Vollenhoven, ElizeRioja-Garcia, Eva2014-09-252014-09-252014-06Zeiler, GE, Fosgate, GT, Van Vollenhoven, E & Rioja, E 2014, 'Assessment of behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation', Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 499-503.1098-612X (print)10.1177/1098612X135090816603440077http://hdl.handle.net/2263/42102We evaluated behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation using a novel cat demeanour scoring system. Thirty-five healthy, client-owned cats admitted for neutering were enrolled. Cats were housed in a standardised cat ward for a short-term hospitalisation period (3–5 days) and demeanour scores were recorded once daily. The scoring system classified cats into one of five behavioural groupings: friendly and confident, friendly and shy, withdrawn and protective, withdrawn and aggressive, and overtly aggressive. Total demeanour score decreased over time (P <0.001) and the demeanour category improved (P <0.001). The intra-class correlation was 0.843 (P <0.001) and kappa was 0.606 (P <0.001), suggesting good repeatability and agreement among investigators. The demeanour scoring system was effective in detecting a change in behaviour in healthy cats undergoing shortterm hospitalisation. The findings suggest that healthy cats require 2 days to acclimatise to hospitalisation.en© ISFM and AAFP 2013Behavioural changesDomestic catsHospitalizationStressCat demeanour scoring systemPostprint Article