Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

''Indoor marking and [[Indoor Elimination - Cat|housesoiling/inappropriate elimination]] often occur together in the same household, and in a multi-cat household several cats may be involved. The 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. The 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 take food, and then leave urine 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 despot to try to take it over. In such circumstances, an electronic coded cat-door would need to be fitted.

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 take food, and then leave urine 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 despot to try to take it over. In such circumstances, an electronic coded cat-door would need to be fitted.

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

* Introduce new cats carefully and with an accompanying increase in resources for the group.

* New cats should be introduced carefully and with an accompanying increase in resources for the group.

* When redecorating, building or making changes to house layout, install an F3 diffuser [Feliway] to maintain core territory odour signals. Allow paint to dry and the room to air thoroughly before allowing the cat[s] back into it. Harvest facial and flank odours from the

* When redecorating, building or making changes to house layout, install an F3 diffuser [Feliway] to maintain core territory odour signals. Allow paint to dry and the room to air thoroughly before allowing the cat[s] back into it. Harvest facial and flank odours from the cat[s] and apply these to doorways, and furnishings in the newly decorated area. If the cat is particularly sensitive to change it may be better to arrange a cattery stay during major projects of redecoration or renovation, especially if they involve core territory areas for the particular cat.

cat[s] and apply these to doorways, and furnishings in the newly decorated area. If the cat is particularly sensitive to change it may be better to arrange a cattery stay during major projects of redecoration or renovation, especially if they involve core territory areas for the particular cat.

* Provide adequate resources for the group.

* Provide adequate resources for the group.

* When cats are temporarily removed from the group [such as when going to the vet clinic] they should be reintroduced carefully after trying to re-label them with the group odour.

* When cats are temporarily removed from the group [such as when going to the vet clinic] they should be reintroduced carefully after trying to re-label them with the group odour.

Diagnosis involves several steps:

Diagnosis involves several steps:

* Identify culprits.

* [[Housesoiling - Cat#Identifying the Culprit|Identify culprits]].

* Assess health status of all group members.

* Assess health status of all group members.

* Map the location of resources and the progression of urine and faecal marks within the home.

* [[Housesoiling - Cat#Using a House Plan|Map the location of resources and the progression of urine and faecal marks within the home]].

* Assess the structure of the social group within the home, to identify potential conflict.

* Assess the structure of the social group within the home, to identify potential conflict.

* Identify specific situations in which marking occurs.

* Identify specific situations in which marking occurs.