Changes

Cats show no general preference for covered or open litter trays<ref>Grigg, E.K., Pick, L., Nibblett, B., (2013) Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered. "J Feline Med Surg." 15(4):280-4.</ref>, so a choice should be provided until the cat's preference is established.

Cats show no general preference for covered or open litter trays<ref>Grigg, E.K., Pick, L., Nibblett, B., (2013) Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered. "J Feline Med Surg." 15(4):280-4.</ref>, so a choice should be provided until the cat's preference is established.

===Environment and Social Issues===

===Environment Issues===

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.

Common environmental changes that precipitate inappropriate elimination include:

* Change of litter type.

* Relocation of litter tray.

* Switch from uncovered to covered litter tray (or vice versa).

* Relocation of other resources (e.g. feeding bowl moved closer to litter tray).

* Installation of household equipment (e.g. noisy washing machine or boiler close to litter tray).

* Increase in household disturbance or noise levels (e.g. due to building).

* House move.

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 precipitated the inappropriate elimination problem.

However, it is very important not to treat the problem at this superficial level. If a single inconsequential change has caused the cat to eliminate in the house then it is very likely that there are other underlying problems that also need to be addressed. Not to do so may leave the cat vulnerable to welfare and behavioural problems in the future, and an incomplete or temporary resolution of the current problem of inappropriate elimination.

 

The presence of a problem of inappropriate elimination should be regarded as an indicator of general environmental inadequacy, and an opportunity to review the cat's living conditions.

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.

* Illuminate dark corners with a bright spot lamp so that any privacy is taken away.

* Illuminate dark corners with a bright spot lamp so that any privacy is taken away.

* The same effect can be achieved using a small, battery powered infrared activated lamp, which will turn on each time the cat approaches (these are very inexpensive).

* The same effect can be achieved using a small, battery powered infrared activated lamp, which will turn on each time the cat approaches (these are very inexpensive).

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===