Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Inappropriate elimination is a common problem for owners. It is sometimes confused with [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]] and at times, these two types occur together. Even though the resultant problem is very similar to the owner, the underlying motivation is different and it is therefore important to differentiate between inappropriate elimination and [[Indoor Mariking - cat|indoor marking]], which is discussed on the [[Housesoiling - Cat|general housesoiing page]].

Inappropriate elimination is a common problem for owners. It is sometimes confused with [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking behaviour]] and at times, these two types occur together. Even though the resultant problem is very similar to the owner, the underlying motivation is different and it is therefore important to differentiate between inappropriate elimination and [[Indoor Marking - cat|indoor marking]], which is discussed on the [[Housesoiling - Cat|general housesoiing page]].

Once the initial history taking has been completed and the case has been categorised as one of elimination, it is important to spend time investigating the potential trigger factors which lead to the onset of the behaviour. Only once the underlying reasons for the alteration in toileting behaviour have been identified can effective behavioural therapy be instituted and the cat taught to return to more acceptable patterns of elimination.

Once the initial history taking has been completed and the case has been categorised as one of elimination, it is important to spend time investigating the potential trigger factors which lead to the onset of the behaviour. Only once the underlying reasons for the alteration in toileting behaviour have been identified can effective behavioural therapy be instituted and the cat taught to return to more acceptable patterns of elimination.

* '''Negative litter box associations''': If the cat has been attacked or disturbed whilst using a particular latrine, or if it has experienced pain on micturition, then it is likely to chose a different toilet location the next time it needs to eliminate.

* '''Negative litter box associations''': If the cat has been attacked or disturbed whilst using a particular latrine, or if it has experienced pain on micturition, then it is likely to chose a different toilet location the next time it needs to eliminate.

* '''Inability to use/find litter trays''': Elderly or debilitated cats may be less willing to travel to find a latrine, so they may resort to soiling in the house. They may be unable to make use of high-sided or covered trays.

* '''Inability to use/find litter trays''': Elderly or debilitated cats may be less willing to travel to find a latrine, so they may resort to soiling in the house. They may be unable to make use of high-sided or covered trays.

* '''Medical illness''': Cats with PU/PD, incontinence, FLUTD or recurrent/chronic diarrhoea are unlikely to maintain a normal or acceptable pattern of elimination.

* '''Medical illness''': Cats with polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD), incontinence, [[:Category:Urological Diseases - Cat|feline lower urinary tract disease]] (FLUTD) or recurrent/chronic [[diarrhoea]] are unlikely to maintain a normal or acceptable pattern of elimination.

* '''Punishment''': cats that have been punished for eliminating in the wrong place may refuse to go to the toilet in the presence of the owner. Litter trays tend to be placed in public areas like the kitchen or utility area, which means that the fearful cat ceases to use them for fear of being punished further.

* '''Punishment''': cats that have been punished for eliminating in the wrong place may refuse to go to the toilet in the presence of the owner. Litter trays tend to be placed in public areas like the kitchen or utility area, which means that the fearful cat ceases to use them for fear of being punished further.

Recent research has demonstrated a direct '''connection between psychosocial stress and feline lower urinary tract disease'''. [[Cystitis|Feline idiopathic cystitis]] (FIC) is a complex condition that involves neurological changes in spinal pain fibres and biochemical changes in the bladder wall. The precise aetiology is not fully understood but cats with an anxious personality are predisposed to FIC and it is proposed that the condition arises from a combination of physical and psychological factors. Black and white cats, and Persian cats are commonly affected and FIC may account for a significant proportion of FLUTD in cats. Urine samples of FIC cats may be sterile or may contain crystals, plugs or traces of blood. Diagnosis is confirmed by double contrast radiography or ultrasound imaging of the bladder to reveal mural thickening.

Recent research has demonstrated a direct connection between psychosocial stress and feline lower urinary tract disease. Feline idiopathic cystitis [FIC] is a complex condition that involves neurological changes in spinal pain fibres and biochemical changes in the bladder wall. The precise aetiology is not fully understood but cats with an anxious personality are predisposed to FIC and it is proposed that the condition arises from a combination of physical and psychological factors. Black and white cats, and Persian cats are commonly affected and FIC may account for a significant proportion of FLUTD in cats. Urine samples of FIC cats may be sterile or may contain crystals, plugs or traces of blood. Diagnosis is confirmed by double contrast radiography or ultrasound imaging of the bladder to reveal mural thickening.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Medical aspects of elimination problems must be resolved. There is a close relationship between stress and [[FIC]] so that dealing with social and environmental stress is an important component in resolving this condition.

Typically, it is possible to identify one or two environmental changes that have initiated the housesoiling/inappropriate elimination problem. This may be something as simple as a change of cat litter. However, it is very important not to treat the problem at this superficial level. If a single inconsequential change has caused the cat to house-soil then it is very likely that there are other underlying problems that also need to be addressed. Not to do so may mean consigning the cat to a life of stress and impaired welfare.

Treatment of housesoiling/inappropriate elimination, therefore, involves '''dealing with general environmental''' and '''social issues''' that cause stress, as well as the '''specific aspects of latrine location and type'''. [[Feline Aggression|Aggression]] between cats sharing a household is often overlooked because actual fights may be uncommon and most of the threatening behaviours between them are subtle.

Typically, it is possible to identify one or two environmental changes that have initiated the housesoiling problem. This may be something as simple as a change of cat litter. However, it is very important not to treat the problem at this superficial level. If a single inconsequential change has caused the cat to house-soil then it is very likely that there are other underlying problems that also need to be addressed. Not to do so may mean consigning the cat to a life of stress and impaired welfare.

Overall '''resource levels should be increased''' and resources should be distributed so that individual cats and cat-factions can make use of them without coming into conflict with each other. This also helps to undermine the activities of feline despots who try to monopolise specific resources. Additional cat flaps may be needed if aggression between cats is preventing certain cats from using outdoor latrines.

 

Overall resource levels should be increased and resources should be distributed so that individual cats and cat-factions can make use of them without coming into conflict with each other. This also helps to undermine the activities of feline despots who try to monopolise specific resources. Additional cat flaps may be needed if aggression between cats is preventing certain cats from using outdoor latrines.

The cats should be provided with a range of suitable latrines, inside and outside the house. Cats do not share latrine facilities so, in multi-cat households, the optimum number of latrines should be one per cat plus one extra. This number of cat litter trays is obviously a horrific prospect for the owner of a lot of cats. The answer is to provide cats with outdoor latrines in the owner’s garden. With the current fashion for hard landscaping, cats may have few opportunities to use good outdoor latrines and may have to travel across several gardens to find somewhere suitable. In winter, these toilets may become sodden or frozen, making them unusable. For this reason, many housesoiling problems are worse during the winter.

The cats should be provided with a range of suitable latrines, inside and outside the house. Cats do not share latrine facilities so, in multi-cat households, the optimum number of latrines should be one per cat plus one extra. This number of cat litter trays is obviously a horrific prospect for the owner of a lot of cats. The answer is to provide cats with outdoor latrines in the owner’s garden. With the current fashion for hard landscaping, cats may have few opportunities to use good outdoor latrines and may have to travel across several gardens to find somewhere suitable. In winter, these toilets may become sodden or frozen, making them unusable. For this reason, many housesoiling problems are worse during the winter.

Outdoor latrines are actually very easy to construct. These outdoor toilets should be hidden in flowerbeds behind shrubs and tall plants to give the cat privacy. These latrines are essentially self-cleaning but it is sensible to regularly use a litter scoop to remove faeces in the same way as with a conventional litter tray. The sandy part of the latrine should be dug out and replaced every six months. One outdoor latrine is unlikely to be enough, and different cats will have different preferences for location. At least two latrines should be provided.

Outdoor latrines are actually very easy to construct. These outdoor toilets should be hidden in flowerbeds behind shrubs and tall plants to give the cat privacy. These latrines are essentially self-cleaning but it is sensible to regularly use a litter scoop to remove faeces in the same way as with a conventional litter tray. The sandy part of the latrine should be dug out and replaced every six months. One outdoor latrine is unlikely to be enough, and different cats will have different preferences for location. At least two latrines should be provided.