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.

* Unscented, fine grained, mineral based litter.

* Unscented, fine grained, mineral based litter.

* Located where the cat can access it easily, but without be disturbed whilst eliminating.

* Located where the cat can access it easily, but without be disturbed whilst eliminating.

* One litter tray pet cat, plus one extra (to allow cats to avoid sharing latrines)

* One litter tray pet cat, plus one extra (to allow cats to avoid sharing latrines).

Cats show no general preference for covered or open litter trays<ref>Grigg, E.K., Pick, L., Nibblett, B., (2013) Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered. "J Feline Med Surg." 15(4):280-4.</ref>, so a choice should be provided until the cat's preference is established.

Cats show no general preference for covered or open litter trays<ref>Grigg, E.K., Pick, L., Nibblett, B., (2013) Litter box preference in domestic cats: covered versus uncovered. "J Feline Med Surg." 15(4):280-4.</ref>, so a choice should be provided until the cat's preference is established.

A commonly overlooked aspect of dealing with inappropriate elimination problems is the potential to provide cats with designated outdoor latrine facilities. The commonest complaint about neighbourhood cats, by cat owners and non-owners alike, is that they defecate in people's gardens. However, most cat owners do not provide either a litter tray or a suitable garden location for a toilet. The owner's garden may be mostly patio or grass, neither of which is a suitable toilet location. All owned should be encouraged to install outdoor cat toilets, or to create an area that the cat cat use. A typical outdoor cat toilet can be prepared as follows:

A commonly overlooked aspect of dealing with inappropriate elimination problems is the potential to provide cats with designated outdoor latrine facilities. The commonest complaint about neighbourhood cats, by cat owners and non-owners alike, is that they defecate in people's gardens. However, most cat owners do not provide either a litter tray or a suitable garden location for a toilet. The owner's garden may be mostly patio or grass, neither of which is a suitable toilet location. All owners should be encouraged to install outdoor cat toilets, or to create an area that the cat can use. A typical outdoor cat toilet can be prepared as follows:

* Choose an area in a border or flowerbed where the cat can have some privacy.

* Choose an area in a border or flowerbed where the cat can have some privacy.

* Dig a hole that is about the size of a cat litter tray, but 30-60cm deep.

* Dig a hole that is about the size of a cat litter tray, but 30-60cm deep.

===Deterring Inappropriate Elimination===

===Deterring Inappropriate Elimination===

If suitable latrines have been provided, and the general environment has been improved for the cat(s), then it is acceptable to use mild deterrents to encourage cats to stop using inappropriate elimination sites. The best indication of what measures may deter the cat is the reason why it chose that location to begin with, for example:

If suitable latrines have been provided, and the general environment has been improved for the cat(s), then it is acceptable to use mild deterrents to encourage cats to stop using inappropriate elimination sites. The best indication of what measures may deter the cat is the reason why it chose that location to begin with, for example:

* If the site has been chosen for increased privacy: Restrict or block access to the location, or install a radio or bright table lamp that illuminates the area. Battery powered infra-red activated lamps can also be used; these switch on as the cat approaches.

* '''If the site has been chosen for increased privacy:''' Restrict or block access to the location, or install a radio or bright table lamp that illuminates the area. Battery powered infra-red activated lamps can also be used; these switch on as the cat approaches.

* If the site has been chosen for substrate: Cover the area with aluminium foil, double sided adhesive tape, or polythene that make the surface unpleasant to stand on.

* '''If the site has been chosen for substrate:''' Cover the area with aluminium foil, double sided adhesive tape, or polythene that make the surface unpleasant to stand on.

* If the site has been chosen to avoid eliminating near other resources: Place small bowls of food close to the location so that it becomes designated as a feeding station instead of a latrine.

* '''If the site has been chosen to avoid eliminating near other resources:''' Place small bowls of food close to the location so that it becomes designated as a feeding station instead of a latrine.

===Social Issues===

===Social Issues===

Social problems can originate with resident and non-resident cats.

Social problems can originate with resident and non-resident cats.

In areas of high cat population density, non-resident cats may compete with resident cats for outdoor space and latrine sites. They may even enter the home to steal food, which not only depletes resources for the resident cats but may also deter them for accessing other nearby resources (such as a litter tray). A secure, coded cat door that prevents access by non-resident cats should be installed. It should be fitted with an opaque door, or the door should be painted or covered with film so that non-residents cannot see into the house.  

In areas of high cat population density, non-resident cats may compete with resident cats for outdoor space and latrine sites. They may even enter the home to steal food, which not only depletes resources for the resident cats but may also deter them from accessing other nearby resources (such as a litter tray). A secure, coded cat door that prevents access by non-resident cats should be installed. It should be fitted with an opaque door, or the door should be painted or covered with film so that non-residents cannot see into the house.  

Conflict between resident cats can be identified using the interaction diagram shown in the overview section on [[Housesoiling - Cat|housesoiling]]. Apart from providing each cat or faction its own set of resources, it may be possible to improve cohesion between all group members by the creation of an enhanced group odour. Cats identify each other through the use of allorubbing and allogrooming to create a common odour signal that identifies all members of the group. Factions within a household may not allorub and allogroom, so they do not share a group odour. The owner can deliberately ransomer odour between group members through grooming. The core territory of cats is a location where they do not expect to encounter unfamiliar cats, and where they do not usually eliminate. The the use of an F3 (Feliway) diffuser may help to strengthen the core territory pheromone marks, and thereby reduce stress and social conflict between resident cats.

Conflict between resident cats can be identified using the interaction diagram shown in the overview section on [[Housesoiling - Cat|housesoiling]]. Apart from providing each cat or faction with its own set of resources, it may be possible to improve cohesion between all group members by the creation of an enhanced group odour. Cats identify each other through the use of allorubbing and allogrooming to create a common odour signal that identifies all members of the group. Factions within a household may not allorub and allogroom, so they do not share a group odour. The owner can deliberately transfer odour between group members through grooming. The core territory of cats is a location where they do not expect to encounter unfamiliar cats, and where they do not usually eliminate. The use of a [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F3 (Feliway)]] diffuser may help to strengthen the core territory pheromone marks, and thereby reduce stress and social conflict between resident cats.

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===

Cats that are anxious, inhibited, or fearful may be unable to utilise an enriched or altered environment, or adapt to change. They may benefit from treatment with psychoactive medication.

Cats that are '''anxious, inhibited''', or '''fearful''' may be unable to utilise an enriched or altered environment, or adapt to change. They may benefit from treatment with psychoactive medication.

In the dog, '''selegiline''' is licensed for the treatment of behavioural problems with an underlying emotional cause (UK and EU license). It is not licensed for use in the cat, but could be used in accordance with CASCADE. This drug increases exploratory behaviour and decreases apprehension. It can take up to 8 weeks to reach efficacy, but typically some improvement is seen after 4-6 weeks in cats.

In the dog, [[Selegiline|'''selegiline''']] is licensed for the treatment of behavioural problems with an underlying emotional cause (UK and EU license). It is not licensed for use in the cat, but could be used in accordance with CASCADE. This drug increases exploratory behaviour and decreases apprehension. It can take up to 8 weeks to reach efficacy, but typically some improvement is seen after 4-6 weeks in cats.

Selegiline has minimal anxiolytic effects, so for cats with generalised anxiety or signs of panic a serotonergic drug such as fluoxetie or clomipramine may be preferable. Clomipramine is licensed for the treatment of separate anxiety in the dog, but not licensed for use in cats.  

Selegiline has minimal anxiolytic effects, so for cats with generalised anxiety or signs of panic a serotonergic drug such as [[Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Clomipramine, Fluoxetine)|fluoxetine or clomipramine]] may be preferable. Clomipramine is licensed for the treatment of separation anxiety in the dog, but not licensed for use in cats.  

Neither selegiline nor serotonergic drugs have a specific indication for inappropriate elimination; they are used to alleviate underlying emotional problems that contribute to the problem. Long term drugs of this kind should be continued until the cat is fully utilising resources and has not eliminated in the house for 6-8 weeks.

Neither selegiline nor serotonergic drugs have a specific indication for inappropriate elimination; they are used to alleviate underlying emotional problems that contribute to the problem. Long term drugs of this kind should be continued until the cat is fully utilising resources and has not eliminated in the house for 6-8 weeks.

| style="width: 20%; background-color: white;"|'''General environmental and social issues''':

| style="width: 20%; background-color: white;"|'''General environmental and social issues''':

| style="width: 80%; background-color: white;"|

| style="width: 80%; background-color: white;"|

* Increase amount, choice and distribution of resources available to the cat(s)  

* Increase amount, choice and distribution of resources available to the cat(s).

* Locate resources for easy access by the various cats and factions within the household.

* Locate resources for easy access by the various cats and factions within the household.

* Give the cats indoor-outdoor access with a secure electronic coded cat door.

* Give the cats indoor-outdoor access with a secure electronic coded cat door.

|date = June 26, 2014

|date = June 26, 2014

}}

}}

[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]

[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]