Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Indoor marking and [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|housesoiling/inappropriate elimination]] often occur together in the same household, and in a multi-cat household several cats may be involved. Common factors are discussed on the [[Housesoiling - Cat|housesoiling page]]. An important part of reaching a behavioural diagnosis must be to [[Housesoiling - Cat#Identifying the Culprit|identify the culprits]].  

Indoor marking and [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|housesoiling/inappropriate elimination]] often occur together in the same household, and in a multi-cat household several cats may be involved. Common factors are discussed on the [[Housesoiling - Cat|housesoiling page]]. An important part of reaching a behavioural diagnosis must be to [[Housesoiling - Cat#Identifying the Culprit|identify the culprits]].

More than one cat may be involved, and it should be remembered that, in some cases, the culprit for indoor marking may not be a resident cat at all. Intact male cats and despots may enter the homes of other cats to obtain food or shelter, or to oust the resident cat. They may then leave urine spray marks within the home. In these cases, treating the resident cats will have no effect on the marking behaviour and, in fact, increasing the level of resources available within the home may raise its value and therefore encourage the invading cat to enter more frequently or try to take over the territory.

More than one cat may be involved, and it should be remembered that, in some cases, the culprit for indoor marking may not be a resident cat at all. Intact male cats and despots may enter the homes of other cats to obtain food or shelter, or to oust the resident cat. They may then leave urine spray marks within the home. In these cases, treating the resident cats will have no effect on the marking behaviour and, in fact, increasing the level of resources available within the home may raise its value and therefore encourage the invading cat to enter more frequently or try to take over the territory. It is also important to remember that neutered male and female cats spray mark at around the same frequency, so the sex of cats in a household is not a reliable means to identify the culprit.

Due to the high cat population density in many areas, and the high frequency of reported incidents of home invasion by no resident cats, it is generally advisable for all cat owners to use a microchip controlled cat door to prevent other cats from entering the home.

Due to the high cat population density in many areas, and the high frequency of reported incidents of home invasion by no resident cats, it is generally advisable for all cat owners to use a microchip controlled cat door to prevent other cats from entering the home.