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==The Relationship Between Resident Cats==
==The Relationship Between Resident Cats==
[[File:Cat relationships example.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Example of a diagram illustrating the relationships between cats within the same household]]
[[File:Cat relationships example.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Example of a diagram illustrating the relationships between cats within the same household]]
In situations of both [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] and [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|elimination]] behaviour within multi-cat households, the relationship between resident cats is often an underlying factor in problem expression. Competition between resident cats for access to constrained resources, such as food, a litter tray or an outdoor access point, leads to stress. Cats may use urine spray and claw marking in an attempt to organise access to space; trying to maintain temporal and spatial separation from one another. This is intolerable for owners, and is ultimately dysfunctional for the cats. Hostile encounters around the litter tray or an outdoor access point my force less confident and assertive cats to find other places to eliminate within the home. An assessment of the '''relationship between resident cats''' is therefore an important part of the investigation process.
In situations of both [[Indoor Marking - Cat|marking]] and [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|elimination]] behaviour within multi-cat households, the relationship between resident cats is often an underlying factor in problem expression. Competition between resident cats for access to constrained resources, such as food, a litter tray or an outdoor access point, leads to stress. Cats may use urine spray and claw marking in an attempt to organise access to space; trying to maintain temporal and spatial separation from one another. This is intolerable for owners, and is ultimately dysfunctional for the cats. Hostile encounters around the litter tray or an outdoor access point may force less confident and assertive cats to find other places to eliminate within the home. An assessment of the '''relationship between resident cats''' is therefore an important part of the investigation process.
Owners cannot be relied upon to assess the relationship between cats, because they frequently misinterpret feline communication and social relationships. For example, they may interpret all chasing behaviour as playful, and underestimate the significance of fights and aggressive vocalisations between cats. Most importantly, positive signs of stress and anxiety, such as the typical whining, agitation and restlessness observed in dogs, are very noticeable, but negative signs, such as the typical inhibition and reduced activity observed in cats, are often overlooked.
Owners cannot be relied upon to assess the relationship between cats, because they frequently misinterpret feline communication and social relationships. For example, they may interpret all chasing behaviour as playful, and underestimate the significance of fights and aggressive vocalisations between cats. Most importantly, positive signs of stress and anxiety, such as the typical whining, agitation and restlessness observed in dogs, are very noticeable, but negative signs, such as the typical inhibition and reduced activity observed in cats, are often overlooked.
The names of the cats are written in a circle, and information about behavioural signs of the relationship between each pair of cats is added to the diagram. Positive affiliative behaviours include allorubbing and allogrooming, tail up and trilled greeting between cats. Overtly [[Feline Aggression|aggressive behaviours]] include chasing, hissing or spitting and physical attacks, as well as more passive threats such as staring eye contact, and threatening body or facial posture. Positive and negative interactions and their direction should be noted on the diagram (see example).
The names of the cats are written in a circle, and information about behavioural signs of the relationship between each pair of cats is added to the diagram. Positive affiliative behaviours include allorubbing and allogrooming, tail up and trilled greeting between cats. Overtly [[Feline Aggression|aggressive behaviours]] include chasing, hissing or spitting and physical attacks, as well as more passive threats such as staring eye contact, and threatening body or facial posture. Positive and negative interactions and their direction should be noted on the diagram (see example).
The diagram should indicate the general relationship between the cats, and whether there are factions within the group. In combination with information about where in the home the cats (or factions) tend to spend time, this diagram can provide useful information about where to place resources so that they are easily accessible buy individual cats and factions. It can also provide an indication of social problems that may need to be resolved. Constructing the diagram with the owner also offers a valuable opportunity to explain feline communication and social organisation with the owner.
The diagram should indicate the general relationship between the cats, and whether there are factions within the group. In combination with information about where in the home the cats (or factions) tend to spend time, this diagram can provide useful information about where to place resources so that they are easily accessible by individual cats and factions. It can also provide an indication of social problems that may need to be resolved. Constructing the diagram with the owner also offers a valuable opportunity to explain feline communication and social organisation with the owner.
==Identifying the Culprit==
==Identifying the Culprit==
It is very important to properly identify the culprit(s) for the indoor housesoiling, particularly when treatment with psychoactive medication is being considered. It is common for more than one cat in a multi-cat household to be involved, particularly when the problem is indoor spray marking.
It is very important to properly identify the culprit(s) of the indoor housesoiling, particularly when treatment with psychoactive medication is being considered. It is common for more than one cat in a multi-cat household to be involved, particularly when the problem is indoor spray marking.
===Identifying Cats Responsible Faecal Soiling===
===Identifying Cats Responsible Faecal Soiling===
===Using Fluorescein to Identify Cats Responsible for Urine Marking or Elimination===
===Using Fluorescein to Identify Cats Responsible for Urine Marking or Elimination===
When ingested, fluorescein dye is excreted intact in urine, and can be made to fluoresce using a UV lamp. This can be used to identify the cat responsible for leaving urine deposits. A dose of 50mg/cat once daily is given, which is equivalent to the amount of dye in the tips of six fluorescein test strips (commonly used for ulcer detection in ophthalmology)<ref>Neilson, J. (2003) Feline House Soiling: Elimination and Marking Behaviors. "Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice". 33(2):287-301.</ref>. However, the fluorescence of fluorescein varies considerably with pH<ref>Sjoback, R., Nygren, J., Kubista, M. (1995) Absorption and fluorescence properties of fluorescein. "Spectrochimica Acta Part A". 52. 7-21.</ref>, such that it only strongly fluoresces in a neutral or alkaline solution; in an acidic solution it may hardly fluoresce at all. Spots may therefore need to be sprayed with a buffer solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which will produce a pH of around 8, before testing with a UV lamp.
When ingested, fluorescein dye is excreted intact in urine, and can be made to fluoresce using a UV lamp. This can be used to identify the cat responsible for leaving urine deposits. A dose of 50mg/cat once daily is given, which is equivalent to the amount of dye in the tips of six fluorescein test strips (commonly used for ulcer detection in ophthalmology)<ref>Neilson, J. (2003) Feline House Soiling: Elimination and Marking Behaviors. "Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice". 33(2):287-301.</ref>. However, the fluorescence of fluorescein varies considerably with pH<ref>Sjoback, R., Nygren, J., Kubista, M. (1995) Absorption and fluorescence properties of fluorescein. "Spectrochimica Acta Part A". 52. 7-21.</ref>, so that it only strongly fluoresces in a neutral or alkaline solution; in an acidic solution it may hardly fluoresce at all. Spots may therefore need to be sprayed with a buffer solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which will produce a pH of around 8, before testing with a UV lamp.
* Fluorescein is available as large sterile paper strips, for ophthalmic examination. These contain approximately 9 mg of fluorescein per tip, but this should be checked with the manufacturer.
* Fluorescein is available as large sterile paper strips, for ophthalmic examination. These contain approximately 9 mg of fluorescein per strip, but this should be checked with the manufacturer.
* The dye containing tips of six test strips are torn off and either rolled to fit into gelatine capsules, or chopped up and mixed with food.
* The dye containing tips of six test strips are torn off and either rolled to fit into gelatine capsules, or chopped up and mixed with food.
* This dose is given once daily for 1-3 days, depending on results.
* This dose is given once daily for 1-3 days, depending on results.
Owners must be warned of this, because considerable damage can result. In addition, it is best to start by dosing those cats which are believed least likely to be responsible for the urine deposits. Using this method it is possible to make an identification based on exclusion, and therefore avoid any dye contamination of the owner's home.
Owners must be warned of this, because considerable damage can result. In addition, it is best to start by dosing those cats which are believed least likely to be responsible for the urine deposits. Using this method it is possible to make an identification based on exclusion, and therefore avoid any dye contamination of the owner's home.
===Use of video cameras===
===Use of Video Cameras===
Most mobile devices have a video capability, and webcams are relatively cheap. Movement triggered apps and software enable the video function to be activated when cat comes into range. If certain locations are regularly marked or soiled, movement triggered video recording can be used to identify the culprit. This can be particularly valuable when it is suspected that urine marks are being deposited by non-resident cats entering the home.
Most mobile devices have a video capability, and webcams are relatively cheap. Movement triggered apps and software enable the video function to be activated when a cat comes into range. If certain locations are regularly marked or soiled, movement triggered video recording can be used to identify the culprit. This can be particularly valuable when it is suspected that urine marks are being deposited by non-resident cats entering the home.
==Cooperation Between Cat Owners==
==Cooperation Between Cat Owners==
According to Pet Food Manufacturers Association data, the pet cat population in the UK more than doubled between 1965 and 2004, with an estimated 10-million cats being kept as pets in the UK (2010)<ref>Murray, .K., Browne, W.J., Roberts, M.A., Whitmarsh, A. Gruffydd-Jones, T.J (2010) Number and ownership profiles of cats and dogs in the UK. "Veterinary Record". 166:163-168.</ref>. This increase in population density may contribute to problems of intercat aggression, [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|house soiling]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]]. In urban areas with high pet cat population density, veterinary practices may need to encourage or organise cooperation between neighbours in a community in order to improve outdoor space for cats (for example, improving availability of outdoor latrine sites). Providing resident cats with access to a stimulating outdoor environment, with densely planted borders, trees, resting sites, and wildlife (birds and insects) improves their quality of life.
According to Pet Food Manufacturers Association data, the pet cat population in the UK more than doubled between 1965 and 2004, with an estimated 10-million cats being kept as pets in the UK (2010)<ref>Murray, .K., Browne, W.J., Roberts, M.A., Whitmarsh, A. Gruffydd-Jones, T.J (2010) Number and ownership profiles of cats and dogs in the UK. "Veterinary Record". 166:163-168.</ref>. This increase in population density may contribute to problems of intercat aggression, [[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat|house soiling]] and [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]]. In urban areas with high pet cat population densities, veterinary practices may need to encourage or organise cooperation between neighbours in a community in order to improve outdoor space for cats (for example, improving availability of outdoor latrine sites). Providing resident cats with access to a stimulating outdoor environment, with densely planted borders, trees, resting sites, and wildlife (birds and insects) improves their quality of life.
==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]
[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]