694
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Marking Caused by an Internal Threat
===Marking Caused by an Internal Threat===
===Marking Caused by an Internal Threat===
If indoor marking has been caused by conflict between cats in the home then '''comprehensive environmental enrichments''' should be provided. The aim is to provide separate [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] with their own resources so that they can effectively live separately from each other whilst sharing the same domestic space. This ability to coexist without competition actually increases the likelihood that the cats will begin to associate with each other.
If indoor marking has been caused by conflict between cats in the home then '''comprehensive environmental enrichments''' should be provided. The aim is to provide separate [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] with their own resources so that they can effectively live independently within a shared domestic space. This ability to coexist without competition actually increases the likelihood that the cats will develop an affiliative relationship.
Urine marks are self-perpetuating because the marker needs to refresh them periodically to maintain their meaning. When cats spray indoors, this creates an environment that contains a mixture of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial]] and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine marking]] odours that disrupts the continuity of the [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]]. For these reasons, it is very important to thoroughly [[Management of Items Contaminated by Urine or Faeces|remove urine odours]]. Scented products and those containing ammonia should not be used to clean up spray marks because they may intensify urine odours and leave an objectionable smell that encourages over-marking. Feliway diffusers, which contain a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial marks. Feliway diffusers may be used to supplement facial and flank odours. These scents may also be harvested from the cats and then spread around the house.
Group odour is crucial to maintaining a conflict-free multicat household and it is often apparent that relationship breakdown occurs when cats are unable to maintain this for themselves. In the same way as for treatment of [[Feline Aggression Towards Other Cats in the Same Household#Treatment|inter-cat aggression in the household]], it is possible to classically condition an association between the odour of a specific cat or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|cat-faction]] and the presentation of food or play. The scent is harvested from the facial and flank regions of the individual cats (or factions) onto separate cloths. The cloth from one individual or faction is then regularly presented to one of the other cats before giving food or play, until that cat shows a positive response to that odour. That cat’s cloth is presented in the same way to the group or individual represented by the cloth. Initially the presentation of the odour may cause some alarm. However, after repeated presentation, each cat should begin to rub against the cloth when it is presented, which indicates that the odour has been fully accepted. The body odour of the factions or individuals may then be merged, by exchanging odours between them ''[see diagram below]''. In situations where there is overt aggression between cats it is best to isolate them for a period of 1 to 2 weeks and reintroduce them as if bringing in a new cat for the first time.
Group odour is crucial to maintaining a conflict-free multicat household, but once relationship breakdown occurs the cats are unable to maintain or re-establish this for themselves. In the same way as for treatment of [[Feline Aggression Towards Other Cats in the Same Household#Treatment|inter-cat aggression in the household]], it is possible to classically condition an association between the odour of a specific cat or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|cat-faction]] and the presentation of food or play. The scent is harvested from the facial and flank regions of the individual cats (or factions) onto separate cloths. The cloth from one individual or faction is then regularly presented to one of the other cats before giving food or play, until that cat shows a positive response to the odour. That cat’s cloth is presented in the same way to the group or individual represented by the cloth. Initially the presentation of the odour may cause some alarm. However, after repeated presentation, each cat should begin to rub against the cloth when it is presented, which indicates that the odour has been fully accepted. The body odour of the factions or individuals may then be merged, by exchanging odours between them ''[see diagram below]''. In situations where there is overt aggression between cats it is best to isolate them for a period of 1 to 2 weeks and reintroduce them as if bringing in a new cat for the first time.
'''Marking sites can be made less attractive''' for cats in a number of ways, but it has to be remembered that, if the motivation is strong, this will merely displace the activity elsewhere. Deterrent methods must therefore be used in combination with other environmental modifications. Cats are generally reluctant to spray or midden close to feeding sites, so small bowls may be put close to spraying locations. This also increases the number of feeding places. Odour deterrents should be avoided, because these may actually draw attention to spray sites or produce odours that the cat will deliberately overmark. Sheets of aluminium foil or plastic can serve to protect the floor around a spray site and may deter cats from going there. These methods are best used for isolated locations where it is imperative that the cat does not spray, such as around electrical equipment.
'''Sites that have been spray marked can be made less attractive''' for cats in a number of ways, but it has to be remembered that if the motivation to mark is strong, this will merely displace the activity elsewhere. Deterrent methods must only be used in combination with other environmental modifications that reduce the motivation to scent mark. Cats are generally reluctant to spray or midden close to feeding sites, so small bowls may be put close to spraying locations. This also increases the number of feeding places. Odour deterrents should be avoided, because these may actually draw attention to spray sites or produce odours that the cat will attempt to overmark. Sheets of aluminium foil or plastic can protect the floor around a spray site, whilst also deterring cats from going there. These methods are best used for isolated locations where it is imperative that the cat does not spray, such as around electrical equipment.
'''[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|Claw marking]]''' often exists as a sub-problem in indoor marking cats. Claw marks have a similar territorial function to [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine spraying]] and the rate of claw marking may increase along with other forms of indoor marking. Providing cats with good claw marking sites that fit with their need to defend territory can be an effective way to displace the pattern of marking from spraying to clawing. Most owners find this desirable. Claw marking posts or pads may be positioned close to windows, doorways and cat doors. They are made more attractive by rubbing them against existing clawing sites and then raking them with a wire brush to simulate real claw marks. Bold vertical stripes made with a permanent marker pen will draw attention to the object as a suitable clawing place. Undesirable claw marking can be deterred by daily application of F3 spray, combined with the provision of a nearby alternative scratching place. <font color="red">''Page on the information on the provision of clawing places is to be created soon. - ''</font>
'''[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|Claw marking]]''' often exists as a sub-problem in indoor spray marking cats. Claw marks have a similar territorial function to [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine spraying]] and the rate of claw marking may increase along with indoor spray marking. Providing cats with good claw marking sites that fit with their need to defend territory can be an effective way to shift the pattern of marking from spraying to clawing. Claw marking posts or pads may be positioned close to windows, doorways and cat doors. They can be made more attractive by rubbing them against existing clawing sites and then raking them with a wire brush to simulate real claw marks. Undesirable claw marking can be deterred by daily application of F3 spray, combined with the provision of a nearby alternative scratching place.
===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===
===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===