Changes

==Differentiating Between Elimination and Marking==

==Differentiating Between Elimination and Marking==

Once full information has been collected about the location and characteristics of each urine or faecal deposit, it is possible to make a judgement abut the cause.

Once full information has been collected about the location and characteristics of each urine or faecal deposit, it is possible to make a judgement about the cause.

===Location and Orientation of Deposits===

===Location and Orientation of Deposits===

The type of location used for marking are different from those used for elimination.

The type of locations used for marking are different from those used for elimination.

In the case of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]], the location of marks is intended to convey a signal to other cats; the function of spray marking is to maintain temporal and spatial distance between cats. Marks are therefore left in visible locations close to points of entry to an area; for example in a doorway into a room, or at the bottom of a flight of stairs. They may also be left in places where the cat is responding to an interaction with another cat; for example, by a window or on a spot where a non-resident cat has recently been seen. The act of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|spraying]] also involves an element of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Visual Communication|visual display]]. When cats spray mark, urine is normally deposited onto vertical surfaces, but in some situations cats will spray onto a horizontal surface if there is no other a choice.

In the case of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]], the location of marks is intended to convey a signal to other cats; the function of spray marking is to maintain temporal and spatial distance between cats. Marks are therefore left in visible locations close to points of entry to an area; for example in a doorway into a room, or at the bottom of a flight of stairs. They may also be left in places where the cat is responding to an interaction with another cat; for example, by a window or on a spot where a non-resident cat has recently been seen. The act of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|spraying]] also involves an element of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Visual Communication|visual display]]. When cats spray mark, urine is normally deposited onto vertical surfaces, but in some situations cats will spray onto a horizontal surface if there is no other a choice.

[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|Inappropriate indoor elimination]] is not a display, and cats seek to maintain privacy whilst eliminating. Eliminated urine and faeces are therefore usually deposited in quiet secluded locations where the cat will not be disturbed. In households, common locations are quieter places like bathrooms and bedrooms. Cats usually have preferences for the kind of substrate that they will eliminate on, which may relate to their rearing environment; kittens that are reared a cage or crate may develop a preference for eliminating on bedding or newspaper because these were the first substrates they encountered. This can lead to adult preferences for urinating or defecating on carpets, sofas or bedding. When cats eliminate, the usually deposit urine onto a horizontal surface, but cats with LUTD may urinate standing up, or stand up as they urinate, leading to urine deposits o vertical surfaces or outside the litter tray.

[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|Inappropriate indoor elimination]] is not a display, and cats seek to maintain privacy whilst eliminating. Eliminated urine and faeces are therefore usually deposited in quiet secluded locations where the cat will not be disturbed. In households, common locations are quieter places like bathrooms and bedrooms. Cats usually have preferences for the kind of substrate that they will eliminate on, which may relate to their rearing environment; kittens that are reared a cage or crate may develop a preference for eliminating on bedding or newspaper because these were the first substrates they encountered. This can lead to adult preferences for urinating or defecating on carpets, sofas or bedding. When cats eliminate, they usually deposit urine onto a horizontal surface, but cats with LUTD may urinate standing up, or stand up as they urinate, leading to urine deposits on vertical surfaces or outside the litter tray.

Cats with [[:Category:Urological Diseases - Cat|lower urinary tract disease]] will often have episodes of using multiple sites to urinate around the house. It is thought that pain associated with [[Micturition - Anatomy & Physiology|micturition]] in a latrine site discourages repeated use of that location: The cat chooses a different latrine site next time. This pattern of urination is often cyclical, with cats eliminating normally for a few weeks and then displaying a bout of housesoiling in multiple locations. This fits with the waxing and waning cyclical nature of feline lower urinary tract disease. With cystitis, the volume of urine found at each site is usually small, and the urine has a strong odour.

Cats with [[:Category:Urological Diseases - Cat|lower urinary tract disease]] will often have episodes of using multiple sites to urinate around the house. It is thought that pain associated with [[Micturition - Anatomy & Physiology|micturition]] in a latrine site discourages repeated use of that location: The cat chooses a different latrine site next time. This pattern of urination is often cyclical, with cats eliminating normally for a few weeks and then displaying a bout of housesoiling in multiple locations. This fits with the waxing and waning cyclical nature of feline lower urinary tract disease. With cystitis, the volume of urine found at each site is usually small, and the urine has a strong odour.

===Frequency of Deposits===

===Frequency of Deposits===

Cats will usually urinate and defecate one to three times daily depending on food intake and meal timing. The frequency of elimination may be increased if the cat has a urinary tract or bowel problem. Cats will leave urine scent marks in many locations every day, typically returning to leave a fresh urine mark at each location at least daily. It would not be unusual for a cat to leave a scent mark in thirty or more locations each day.

Cats will usually urinate and defecate one to three times daily depending on food intake and meal timing. The frequency of elimination may be increased if the cat has a urinary tract or bowel problem. Cats will leave urine scent marks in many locations every day, typically returning to leave a fresh urine mark at each location at least daily. It would not be unusual for a cat to leave a scent mark in thirty or more locations per day.

===Volume of Deposits===

===Volume of Deposits===

Cats with [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination problems]] usually deposit larger volumes of urine at each site than cats with [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] problems. However, cats with LUTD will leo pass only small volumes of urine at each of multiple sites. Likewise, cats with chronic diarrhoea. However, the choice of location will still fit with normal defecation.

Cats with [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|inappropriate elimination problems]] usually deposit larger volumes of urine at each site than cats with [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] problems. However, cats with LUTD will only pass only small volumes of urine at each of multiple sites. As do cats with chronic diarrhoea. However, the choice of location will still fit with normal defecation.

===Posture and Behaviour of the Cat===

===Posture and Behaviour of the Cat===

When cats spray a location, they start by sniffing the spot (and often show a flehmen behaviour). The cat will then back up to the spot and spray urine with the tail erect. The cat often has a glazed look on its face, its tail with twitch and it will paddle with its back feet. This [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|characteristic stance]] is different from urination behaviour, even when cats urinate standing up. Urine marking does not exclusively occur from a standing posture and it can be performed from a squatting position, but with tail movements, and foot paddling that differentiate this form urination.  

When cats spray in a location, they start by sniffing the spot (and often show a flehmen behaviour). The cat will then back up to the spot and spray urine with the tail erect. The cat often has a glazed look on its face, its tail will twitch and it will paddle with its back feet. This [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|characteristic stance]] is different from urination behaviour, even when cat urinates standing up. Urine marking does not exclusively occur from a standing posture and it can be performed from a squatting position, but with tail movements, and foot paddling that differentiate this form urination.  

When cats urinate, they usually do not investigate the area by sniffing, and the tail movements and foot paddling are not seen. If cats with LUTD urinate standing up, they usually adopt an uncomfortable posture, strain as they urinate and may vocalise painfully.

When cats urinate, they usually do not investigate the area by sniffing, and the tail movements and foot paddling are not seen. If cats with LUTD urinate standing up, they usually adopt an uncomfortable posture, strain as they urinate and may vocalise painfully.

* The cat may have a glazed and vacant look on its face

* The cat may have a glazed and vacant look on its face

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* The location may be sniffed and investigated before elimination.

* The location may be sniffed and investigated before elimination

* Urine or faeces are deposited whilst the cat is in a crouched position with slight back arching.

* Urine or faeces are deposited whilst the cat is in a crouched position with slight back arching

* Abnormal postures may be seen during elimination: urination whilst standing up, or when crouched with a greatly arched or flattened back is indicative of pain or dysuria. In extreme cases, cats may cry or run away from the area where they have eliminated, as if in pain.

* Abnormal postures may be seen during elimination: urination whilst standing up, or when crouched with a greatly arched or flattened back is indicative of pain or dysuria. In extreme cases, cats may cry or run away from the area where they have eliminated, as if in pain

* Unlike marking behaviour, there is no visual ‘display’ element to normal elimination.

* Unlike marking behaviour, there is no visual ‘display’ element to normal elimination

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|'''Deposit''':

|'''Deposit''':

* Usually highly visible locations, where marks will be easily noticed

* Usually highly visible locations, where marks will be easily noticed

* Most often urine is placed on vertical surfaces, but occasionally horizontal

* Most often urine is placed on vertical surfaces, but occasionally horizontal

* Urine may be placed high up the vertical object

* Urine may be placed high up on the vertical object

* Objects that heat up and cool down may attract spray marks (heaters, toasters, TV and audio equipment)

* Objects that heat up and cool down may attract spray marks (heaters, toasters, TV and audio equipment)

* Bags, shoes and other objects that may carry foreign odours into the home may be targetted

* Bags, shoes and other objects that may carry foreign odours into the home may be targeted

* Faeces (middening) are deposited, unburied, in open spaces where they will be most visible

* Faeces (middening) are deposited, unburied, in open spaces where they will be most visible

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===Pattern of Deposition of Urine and Faeces (identified using a [[Housesoiling - Cat#Using a House Plan|house plan]])===

===Pattern of Deposition of Urine and Faeces (identified using a [[Housesoiling - Cat#Using a House Plan|house plan]])===

As a situation progresses, the pattern of deposition of urine and faeces can become increasingly confusing so that it becomes very difficult to identify the originating cause unless the historical development of the pattern of the [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] or [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|elimination]] is recorded using a house plan. If the first urine marks were deposited close to external doors and windows, this suggests that the cat was responding to a threat from outside the home, such as a non-resident cat entering its territory. If the first urine marks were mostly deposited on furniture in rooms, aloud doorways, corridors or staircases, this suggests that source of stress is the relationship with resident cats. Cats will also spray mark on mirrors, and electrical items. Th following table summaries common patters of urine deposition in problem situations.  

As a situation progresses, the pattern of deposition of urine and faeces can become increasingly confusing so that it becomes very difficult to identify the originating cause unless the historical development of the pattern of the [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] or [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|elimination]] is recorded using a house plan. If the first urine marks were deposited close to external doors and windows, this suggests that the cat was responding to a threat from outside the home, such as a non-resident cat entering its territory. If the first urine marks were mostly deposited on furniture in rooms, around doorways, corridors or staircases, this suggests that source of stress is the relationship with resident cats. Cats will also spray mark on mirrors, and electrical items. The following table summaries common patters of urine deposition in problem situations.