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| 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. | | 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. |
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− | 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 amount, choice and distribution of resources should be reviewed and improved, for example: |
| + | * Provide ad-lib food where possible, preferably in more than one site and using activity feeding devices. |
| + | * Increase the number of places to climb, hide, claw and rest. |
| + | * Provide a choice of outdoor access points if here are signs of competition over the cat door. |
| + | * Install an electronic coed cat door that only permits access by resident cats (especially if there is evidence that non-resident cats have been coming into the home. |
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| + | If factions have been identified in the household, resources should be distributed so that each faction has access to a full set of its own resources in a location that it tends to favour. |
| + | Distributing resources around the home also prevents resident despots from being able to monopolise resources and intimidate other cats. This also helps to undermine the activities of feline despots who try to monopolise specific resources. |
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| + | The outdoor environment |
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| The cats should be provided with a '''range of suitable latrines''', inside and outside the house, discussed on the [[Cat Latrines]] page. | | The cats should be provided with a '''range of suitable latrines''', inside and outside the house, discussed on the [[Cat Latrines]] page. |
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| * 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). |
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| ==Social Issues== | | ==Social Issues== |