Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

House soiling is a common problem for cat owners. There are generally two types, [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]]. It is important to differentiate between them to identify the route of the problem, but they can also be present concurrently. Any underlying medical conditions must also be ruled out.

House soiling is a common problem for cat owners. There are generally two types, [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]]. It is important to differentiate between them to identify the route of the problem, but they can also be present concurrently. Any underlying medical conditions must also be ruled out before behavioural assessment is made.

==Medical Assessment==

 

Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking problems]]. Certain conditions are directly involved in the generation and maintenance of behavioural problems, whilst others are contributory in an indirect sense (see box). If a case is to be referred to a non-veterinary behaviourist, it is essential to rule out any potential underlying or contributory medical factor beforehand.

===Medical Assessment===

Medical factors are very important in housesoiling and [[marking problems]]. Certain conditions are directly involved in the generation and maintenance of behavioural problems, whilst others are contributory in an indirect sense ''[see box].'' If a case is to be referred to a non-veterinary behaviourist, it is essential to rule out any potential underlying or contributory medical factor.

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In any case of house soiling it is important to consider medical differentials before embarking on a purely behavioural assessment of the problem. Any condition which affects gastrointestinal or urinary tract function is a potential candidate for involvement in cases of inappropriate elimination and a full medical examination is therefore essential. Conditions which result in polydipsia and polyuria may also be implicated when urine deposits are found in unusual locations and endocrine disorders should be considered when investigating these cases. Any medical condition which alters the cat’s mobility may limit its ability to gain access to latrines, and conditions which alter the animal’s cognitive ability or sensory perception may also contribute to a breakdown in previously well-established house training. Organic disease may also be a factor in cases of undesirable marking behaviour.

In any case of house soiling it is important to consider medical differentials before embarking on a purely behavioural assessment of the problem. Any condition which affects gastrointestinal or urinary tract function is a potential candidate for involvement in cases of [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination]] and a full medical examination is therefore essential. Conditions which result in polydipsia and polyuria may also be implicated when urine deposits are found in unusual locations and endocrine disorders should be considered when investigating these cases. Any medical condition which alters the cat’s mobility may limit its ability to gain access to latrines, and conditions which alter the animal’s cognitive ability or sensory perception may also contribute to a breakdown in previously well-established house training. Organic disease may also be a factor in cases of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|undesirable marking behaviour]].

* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques

* Further investigation through haematology, biochemistry or imaging techniques

===Behavioural Assessment===

==Behavioural Assessment==

[[Inappropriate elimination]] and [[indoor marking behaviour]] may be difficult to differentiate in some cases, and in many they occur together. It is important to collect all of the information needed to make a judgement:

[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|Inappropriate elimination]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]] may be difficult to differentiate in some cases, and in many they occur together. It is important to collect all of the information needed to make a judgement:

* Age of onset

* Age of onset

* Assessment of the cat’s emotional reactions to novelty in the environment and to strangers

* Assessment of the cat’s emotional reactions to novelty in the environment and to strangers

===Using a House Plan===  

 

===Using a House Plan===

 

One of the most useful tools when investigating a problem of feline house soiling is a plan of the house in which the cat lives. This does not need to be a detailed scale drawing but rather a basic plan indicating the layout of rooms in the house, the position of windows, doors and major furniture and the location of major resources such as feeding and watering stations, sleeping  locations and play areas. Each individual cat’s favourite resting places and rooms they prefer to inhabit should be noted on the diagram. The client should mark onto this diagram the location of urine and faeces that they have found. ''[see figure]''

One of the most useful tools when investigating a problem of feline house soiling is a plan of the house in which the cat lives. This does not need to be a detailed scale drawing but rather a basic plan indicating the layout of rooms in the house, the position of windows, doors and major furniture and the location of major resources such as feeding and watering stations, sleeping  locations and play areas. Each individual cat’s favourite resting places and rooms they prefer to inhabit should be noted on the diagram. The client should mark onto this diagram the location of urine and faeces that they have found. ''[see figure]''

To give a better indication of the development of the problem, the client should note the current frequency of urine/faecal deposition at a particular site, as well as how early in the development of the problem urine or faeces were first found there. A convenient way to do this is to label each location on the diagram with a number of stars to indicate current frequency and a number that indicates whether that spot was one of the first, or last places to be

To give a better indication of the development of the problem, the client should note the current frequency of urine/faecal deposition at a particular site, as well as how early in the development of the problem urine or faeces were first found there. A convenient way to do this is to label each location on the diagram with a number of stars to indicate current frequency and a number that indicates whether that spot was one of the first, or last places to be soiled, or somewhere in between. The clinician may use this diagram ''[see example]'' as a basis for recording additional information about each mark, such as the volume of urine at a site, where precisely on furniture or decorations it is located and whether any particular event appears connected to it.

soiled, or somewhere in between. The clinician may use this diagram ''[see example]'' as a basis for recording additional information about each mark, such as the volume of urine at a site, where precisely on furniture or decorations it is located and whether any particular event appears connected to it.

The pattern of urine and faecal deposits can point to the source of the problem. For example, if the first deposits were found close to doors and windows, it is suggestive that the perceived threat was coming from outside the home whilst initial deposits in the centre of rooms or onto new pieces of furniture would suggest that the disruption of the cat’s security was coming

The pattern of urine and faecal deposits can point to the source of the problem. For example, if the first deposits were found close to doors and windows, it is suggestive that the perceived threat was coming from outside the home whilst initial deposits in the centre of rooms or onto new pieces of furniture would suggest that the disruption of the cat’s security was coming from within the household.

from within the household.

Once all of this information has been collected, it is then possible to make judgements about the nature of the problem, whether it is a matter of '''indoor marking or elimination''' and what the motivation may be.

Once all of this information has been collected, it is then possible to make judgments about the nature of the problem, whether it is a matter of '''[[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]] or [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|elimination]]''' and what the motivation may be.

==Differentiating Between Elimination and Marking==

==Differentiating Between Elimination and Marking==