Changes

The presence of urine and/or faeces deposited in the house or outside the litter tray is not definitive evidence of a behavioural problem; medical causes and underlying factors should always be ruled out before reaching a behavioural diagnosis. In multi-cat households, it is therefore important to  [[Housesoiling - Cat#Identifying the Culprit|identify which cat is responsible for the housesoiling]]. It is extremely unusual for a non-resident cat to enter and eliminate in another cat's home, but this may also need to be considered.

The presence of urine and/or faeces deposited in the house or outside the litter tray is not definitive evidence of a behavioural problem; medical causes and underlying factors should always be ruled out before reaching a behavioural diagnosis. In multi-cat households, it is therefore important to  [[Housesoiling - Cat#Identifying the Culprit|identify which cat is responsible for the housesoiling]]. It is extremely unusual for a non-resident cat to enter and eliminate in another cat's home, but this may also need to be considered.

Common causal/contributory medical factors include:

'''Common causal/contributory medical factors include:'''

* Conditions causing PUPD

* Conditions causing PUPD

* Lower urinary tract disease

* Lower urinary tract disease

This indicates a strong connection between aspects of temperament, environmental stressors and FIC, which has led to the adoption of a multimodal strategy for the treatment of the disease<ref>Buffington, C.A.T., Westropp, J.L., Chew, D.J., (2008). Clinical evaluation of multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) in the management of cats with idiopathic cystitis. "J Feline Med Surg". 8:261–268.</ref>.

This indicates a strong connection between aspects of temperament, environmental stressors and FIC, which has led to the adoption of a multimodal strategy for the treatment of the disease<ref>Buffington, C.A.T., Westropp, J.L., Chew, D.J., (2008). Clinical evaluation of multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) in the management of cats with idiopathic cystitis. "J Feline Med Surg". 8:261–268.</ref>.

FIC should therefore be considered an important underlying factor in inappropriate elimination in cats.

'''FIC should therefore be considered an important underlying factor in inappropriate elimination in cats.'''

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

However, it is very important not to treat the problem at this superficial level. If a single apparently inconsequential change has triggered a period of inappropriate elimination 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.

However, it is very important not to treat the problem at this superficial level. If a single apparently inconsequential change has triggered a period of inappropriate elimination 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.

'''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 amount, choice and distribution of resources should be reviewed and improved, for example:

'''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.

* 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.

* 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.

* Provide a choice of outdoor access points if there are signs of competition around 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.

* Install an electronic coded cat door that only permits access by resident cats (especially if there is evidence that non-resident cats have been coming into the home.

If there is a garden, this can easily be adapted to provide environmental enrichment for the cat, reducing pressure on indoor resources for multi-cat households.

If there is a garden, this can easily be adapted to provide environmental enrichment for the cat, reducing pressure on indoor resources for multi-cat households.