Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

[[Housesoiling - Cat#Medical Assessment|Underlying medical conditions should be investigated]] and treated. Regardless of the cause for the marking behaviour, it is useful to '''increase available resources''' so that cats have easy access to them and perceive their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]] to provide a surfeit of the things that they need. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F3 diffusers (Feliway)]] help to create a sense of core territory and can considerably reduce tension in cat groups. In one UK-based study spray marking was reduced by 91% after 35 days of application of a pheromone diffuser<ref>Mills, D.S., Mills, C.B., 2001. Evaluation of a novel method of delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. The Veterinary Record 149, 197–199. </ref>

[[Housesoiling - Cat#Medical Assessment|Underlying medical conditions should be investigated]] and treated. Regardless of the cause for the marking behaviour, it is useful to '''increase available resources''' so that cats have easy access to them and perceive their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]] to provide a surfeit of the things that they need. [[Pheromonotherapy - Cat|F3 diffusers (Feliway)]] help to create a sense of core territory and can considerably reduce tension in cat groups. In one UK-based study spray marking was reduced by 91% after 35 days of application of a pheromone diffuser<ref name ="Mills1">Mills, D.S., Mills, C.B., 2001. Evaluation of a novel method of delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. The Veterinary Record 149, 197–199. </ref>

[[Management of Items Contaminated by Urine or Faeces|Soiled areas should be protected]] to prevent soiling from becoming ingrained and harder to remove.

[[Management of Items Contaminated by Urine or Faeces|Soiled areas should be protected]] to prevent soiling from becoming ingrained and harder to remove.

If indoor marking has been caused by conflict between cats in the home then '''comprehensive environmental enrichments''' should be provided. The aim is to provide separate [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] with their own resources so that they can effectively live independently within a shared domestic space. This ability to coexist without competition actually increases the likelihood that the cats will develop an affiliative relationship.

If indoor marking has been caused by conflict between cats in the home then '''comprehensive environmental enrichments''' should be provided. The aim is to provide separate [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] with their own resources so that they can effectively live independently within a shared domestic space. This ability to coexist without competition actually increases the likelihood that the cats will develop an affiliative relationship.

Urine marks are self-perpetuating because the marker needs to refresh them periodically to maintain their meaning. When cats spray indoors, this creates an environment that contains a mixture of  [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial]] and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine marking]] odours that disrupts the continuity of the [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]]. For these reasons, it is very important to thoroughly [[Management of Items Contaminated by Urine or Faeces|remove urine odours]]. Scented products and those containing ammonia should not be used to clean up spray marks because they may intensify urine odours and leave an objectionable smell that encourages over-marking. Feliway diffusers, which contain a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial marks may be used to supplement facial and flank odours. These scents may also be harvested from the cats and then spread around the house.

Urine marks are self-perpetuating because the marker needs to refresh them periodically to maintain their meaning. When cats spray indoors, this creates an environment that contains a mixture of  [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial]] and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine marking]] odours that disrupts the continuity of the [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]]. For these reasons, it is very important to thoroughly [[Management of Items Contaminated by Urine or Faeces|remove urine odours]]. Scented products and those containing ammonia should not be used to clean up spray marks because they may intensify urine odours and leave an objectionable smell that encourages over-marking. Feliway diffusers and spray, which contain a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial marks may be used to supplement facial and flank odours. These scents may also be harvested from the cats and then spread around the house.

Group odour is crucial to maintaining a conflict-free multicat household, but once relationship breakdown occurs the cats are unable to maintain or re-establish this for themselves. In the same way as for treatment of [[Feline Aggression Towards Other Cats in the Same Household#Treatment|inter-cat aggression in the household]], it is possible to classically condition an association between the odour of a specific cat or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|cat-faction]] and the presentation of food or play. The scent is harvested from the facial and flank regions of the individual cats (or factions) onto separate cloths. The cloth from one individual or faction is then regularly presented to one of the other cats before giving food or play, until that cat shows a positive response to the odour. That cat’s cloth is presented in the same way to the group or individual represented by the cloth. Initially the presentation of the odour may cause some alarm. However, after repeated presentation, each cat should begin to rub against the cloth when it is presented, which indicates that the odour has been fully accepted. The body odour of the factions or individuals may then be merged, by exchanging odours between them ''[see diagram below]''. In situations where there is overt aggression between cats it is best to isolate them for a period of 1 to 2 weeks and reintroduce them as if bringing in a new cat for the first time.

Group odour is crucial to maintaining a conflict-free multicat household, but once relationship breakdown occurs the cats are unable to maintain or re-establish this for themselves. In the same way as for treatment of [[Feline Aggression Towards Other Cats in the Same Household#Treatment|inter-cat aggression in the household]], it is possible to classically condition an association between the odour of a specific cat or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|cat-faction]] and the presentation of food or play. The scent is harvested from the facial and flank regions of the individual cats (or factions) onto separate cloths. The cloth from one individual or faction is then regularly presented to one of the other cats before giving food or play, until that cat shows a positive response to the odour. That cat’s cloth is presented in the same way to the group or individual represented by the cloth. Initially the presentation of the odour may cause some alarm. However, after repeated presentation, each cat should begin to rub against the cloth when it is presented, which indicates that the odour has been fully accepted. The body odour of the factions or individuals may then be merged, by exchanging odours between them ''[see diagram below]''. In situations where there is overt aggression between cats it is best to isolate them for a period of 1 to 2 weeks and reintroduce them as if bringing in a new cat for the first time.

'''[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|Claw marking]]''' often exists as a sub-problem in indoor spray marking cats. Claw marks have a similar territorial function to [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine spraying]] and the rate of claw marking may increase along with indoor spray marking. Providing cats with good claw marking sites that fit with their need to defend territory can be an effective way to shift the pattern of marking from spraying to clawing. Claw marking posts or pads may be positioned close to windows, doorways and cat doors. They can be made more attractive by rubbing them against existing clawing sites and then raking them with a wire brush to simulate real claw marks. Undesirable claw marking can be deterred by daily application of F3 spray, combined with the provision of a nearby alternative scratching place.

'''[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|Claw marking]]''' often exists as a sub-problem in indoor spray marking cats. Claw marks have a similar territorial function to [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|urine spraying]] and the rate of claw marking may increase along with indoor spray marking. Providing cats with good claw marking sites that fit with their need to defend territory can be an effective way to shift the pattern of marking from spraying to clawing. Claw marking posts or pads may be positioned close to windows, doorways and cat doors. They can be made more attractive by rubbing them against existing clawing sites and then raking them with a wire brush to simulate real claw marks. Undesirable claw marking can be deterred by daily application of F3 spray, combined with the provision of a nearby alternative scratching place.

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===

===Psychoactive Drug Therapy===

Medication can be very effective; a study by Landsberg & Wilson found that 20 out of 25 cats treated with [[Clomipramine|clomipramine]] at a mean dose of 0.54mg/kg showed a reduction in spraying within 4 weeks<ref>Landsberg, G.M., Wilson, A.L. (2005) Effects of clomipramine on cats presented for urine marking. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 41(1), 3-11.</ref>. In a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of treatments used for indoor spray marking both [[Fluoxetine|fluoxetine]] and clompiramine were found to reduce spraying by at least 90%<ref>Mills, D.S., Redgate, S.E., Landsberg, G.M. (2011) A Meta-Analysis of Studies of Treatments for Feline Urine Spraying. PlosOne. 6(4), 1-10.</ref>.

Medication can be very effective; a study by Landsberg & Wilson found that 20 out of 25 cats treated with [[Clomipramine|clomipramine]] at a mean dose of 0.54mg/kg showed a reduction in spraying within 4 weeks<ref>Landsberg, G.M., Wilson, A.L. (2005) Effects of clomipramine on cats presented for urine marking. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 41(1), 3-11.</ref>. In a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of treatments used for indoor spray marking both [[Fluoxetine|fluoxetine]] and clomipramine were found to reduce spraying by at least 90%<ref name="Mills3" />.

Psychoactive drug therapy is often prescribed for cats with indoor marking problems. However, to be successful, the '''underlying reasons for the indoor marking must also be addressed'''. Medication does have a role in longstanding cases where the number of marked sites is large, or when marking has become habitual, or there is an emotional problem that may benefit from temporary drug support. Analysis of the general emotional state of the animal is important. SRI/SSRI drugs such as fluoxetine and clomipramine are beneficial for cats that are habitual indoor markers, or show a pattern of anxious, reactionary spraying. [[Selegeline|Selegiline]] benefits behaviourally-inhibited cats that will not explore their environment, or that display fearful reactions followed closely by reactionary spraying when they see certain cats lurking outside the home. These drugs will not help confident cats that show no signs of anxiety or fear and are merely using spray marks, albeit inappropriately, as part of a calmly considered strategy to control territory in the house. Hormonal preparations have no role in the treatment of indoor marking.

Psychoactive drug therapy is often prescribed for cats with indoor marking problems. However, to be successful, the '''underlying reasons for the indoor marking must also be addressed'''. Medication does have a role in longstanding cases where the number of marked sites is large, or when marking has become habitual, or there is an emotional problem that may benefit from temporary drug support. Analysis of the general emotional state of the animal is important. SRI/SSRI drugs such as fluoxetine and clomipramine are beneficial for cats that are habitual indoor markers, or show a pattern of anxious, reactionary spraying. [[Selegiline|Selegiline]] benefits behaviourally-inhibited cats that will not explore their environment, or that display fearful reactions followed closely by reactionary spraying when they see certain cats lurking outside the home. These drugs will not help confident cats that show no signs of anxiety or fear and are merely using spray marks, albeit inappropriately, as part of a calmly considered strategy to control territory in the house. Hormonal preparations have no role in the treatment of indoor marking.

====The Decision to Use Psychoactive Drugs for Indoor Marking====

====The Decision to Use Psychoactive Drugs for Indoor Marking====

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

 

Cats with a history of indoor marking are likely to relapse at some point in the future, because this behaviour is normal and situations outside the owner’s control may create the conditions for a new bout of marking. Typical times when marking may re-emerge are after major home redecoration or reorganisation, after a house move, or the introduction of a new stressor (new baby, new pet). Spring and summer are times when cats seek to re-establish territorial boundaries, and are therefore a time when there is an increased risk of conflict and stress between cats.

However, cats with a history of indoor marking are likely to relapse at some point in the future, because this behaviour is normal and situations outside the owner’s control may create the conditions for a new bout of marking. Typical times when marking may re-emerge are after major home redecoration or reorganisation, after a house move, or the introduction of a new stressor (new baby, new pet). Spring and summer are times when cats seek to re-establish territorial boundaries, and are therefore a time when there is an increased risk of conflict and stress between cats.

It is possible to minimise the risk of recidivism by continuing to provide an excess of resources and maintaining a suitable core and garden territory for the cats. If a new bout of marking is anticipated, then the environmental changes and Feliway diffusers may be temporarily reinstated.

It is possible to minimise the risk of recidivism by continuing to provide an excess of resources and maintaining a suitable core and garden territory for the cats. If a new bout of marking is anticipated, then the environmental changes and Feliway diffusers may be temporarily reinstated.

* 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. They should be allowed several hours of isolation to groom and clean themselves, and then be allowed access to use beds and resting places that carry odours that will help to mark the returning cat 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. They should be allowed several hours of isolation to groom and clean themselves, and then be allowed access to use beds and resting places that carry odours that will help to mark the returning cat with the group odour.

==References==

==References==

|date=August 28, 2014

|date=August 28, 2014

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[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]

[[Category:Feline Housesoiling]]