House Soiling Cats

House Soiling

Urinating or defecating in odd places can mean either a behavior problem or a medical problem and sometimes the difference is not clear. A behavioral diagnosis for elimination disorders is made after ruling out appropriate medical problems.
Cats may urinate or defecate in unusual places:

·      Because of poor litter box training as a kitten

·      To get their owner’s attention when they are feeling unwell. 

·      To reassert their claim to territory, this need often arising from psychological stress and psychological stress can easily lead to a disease state. 

·      Because of purely behavioral motivations without illness such as “litter box aversion

. A medical disorders that is not effectively controlled will interfere with behavioral management. A variety of diseases such as the following may cause inappropriate urination:

                  Inflammation of the bladder (viral, bacterial and emotional

                  Inherited / congenital disorders of the lower urinary tract

                  Tumors of the bladder

                  In creased urine volume (e.g., renal disease, diabetes)

                  Hyperthyroidism

                  Inflammatory bowel disease

                  Constipation

BEHAVIORAL DIFFERENTIALS

Once medical conditions have been ruled out, effective behavioral and environmental management is dependent upon accurately assessing the cause for house soiling. A checklist, such as that in Figure 1, will ensure that you have appropriately considered all likely causes.

Treatment Suggestions

1. Treat previously soiled areas-components of urine which may contribute to odor include felinine, isovalthine, and specific metabolic products (disulfides/trisulfides)

a. Change carpet pads

b. Treat and seal sub-flooring

c. Odor Elimination Products

d. Cover areas to prevent re-soiling (thick plastic)

2. Provide adequate number of boxes

a. One box per cat +1 (single cat may prefer two boxes (one for urine, one for feces)

b. And at least one box per floor of household

3. Provide appropriate boxes

a. Commonly preferred-large or jumbo; no cover; no liner

b. Framed and unframed-observe for preference and elimination behaviors

c. Hygiene-clumping litters-scoop daily, change weekly; non-clumping litters -change every day

i. Wash litter box weekly-dilute, mild dish soap (e.g., Ivory Liquid^®); no bleach, ammonia, fragrances

4. Provide optimal environment

a. Low traffic but in living quarters-closets, cabinets, hallways, corners, behind furniture, plants, screens

b. Away from aversive stimuli and food

c. Sheltered area for outdoor cats

5. Location aversion by decreasing the attractiveness of the area chosen for elimination

i. Fragrances-potpourri mixtures, scented soaps (e.g., Safeguard), perfumes/colognes citrus based products

ii. Textures-carpet runner reverse-side-up, aluminum foil

iii. Repellents-work only a day or so

iv. Barriers- Fence, Scat Mat, water in sinks or tubs, ultrasonic devices

v For true location preferences to switch locations-place a litter box where cat has started to eliminate and gradually(1-2 inches daily) move it to a location of owner preference, as long as it is quiet and appropriate

6. Treatment for substrate preference. 

a. Determine cat's preferences-let the cat select litter type first, then pan type
b. Vary the depths-make a gradient-majority of cats appear to like about 2 inches
c. Consider frame
i Carpeted frame (home constructed)-some cats like to scratch the carpet

7. Additional management

Confinement-confining the cat to one room

i. Useful in assessing preferences in multiple cat household

ii. Cat may return to preferred substrate / area upon release from confinement

MARKING AND SPRAYING

Marking can be done with urine and feces. When urine is deposited on a vertical surface it is generally referred to as spraying. When urine is deposited on horizontal surfaces (generally small amounts), it can be marking as well. Middening (marking with feces) is uncommon in household cats but has been observed in free-ranging situations.
In contrast to urination for elimination purposes, with spraying and marking, cats often sniff the target area prior to marking, but do not smell the area after marking. Characteristically, a cat sniffs first then backs up, with tail vertical and quivering, and emits a stream of urine, directed caudally, toward a vertical surface. Some cats are observed to tread with their hind limbs. Spraying may also be done in a squatting position in which the cat is observed to make treading movements with the hindquarters prior to spraying accompanied by tail quivering. Both males and females can perform spraying, although it is more common in males.  Spraying not only provides a effective means of communication in the establishment and maintenance of complex social hierarchies and territories, but also may serve to surround the cat with a familiar scent. This additional role may be related to why a cat may mark / spray indoors when anxious or when their territory is challenged by other cats.
Anxiety in cats may result from changes in the social environment secondary to:
1.  Other cats (multi-cat household-spraying is often a sign of inter-cat aggression)

 2. Outdoor cats

3,  Changes in the household-new pet, baby, working schedule, new people

Treatment for Marking / Spraying

i.Decrease the number of cats in a multi-cat household ii. Restrict access to areas where spraying occurs iii. Limit visual (as well as olfactory) access to outdoor cats (Scarecrow; mouse traps upside down  Mothballs)
iv. Outdoor/indoor cat becomes an indoor cat
v. Indoor cat becomes indoor/outdoor or strictly outdoor cat  vi. Vertical litter pan in a horizontal pan
vii. Increase three dimensional space-cat condominiums/trees, cat walks, window seats, shelves
viii. Deterrents (indoors)-citrus spray, dangling aluminum foil, inverted carpet runn

 Behavior modification

Do not punish  because it often results in the cat learning to spray in the owner's absen
 May also increase the anxiety of the cat
 Encourage acceptable marking a) Rubbing is a visual and tactile display as well as a means of olfactory communication; also serves role of exchanging odors.
Difficult cases may need \aAntianxiety drugs

Checklist for Feline Elimination Problems

Litter box

Hygiene of box

Frequency of cleaning

Age of box

 Type of cleanser

                Ratio of box problems   

  Box style

         Covered vs. uncovered

         Framed vs. unframed

         Mechanical

         Sifting

         Age of box

         Use of liner

Substrate qualities

Type of substrate offered

         Clumping vs. non-clumping

         Scented vs. unscented

         Consistency / Texture

         Size of particles

         Dust

                  Additives to litter

         Baking soda

         Fragrances

         Odor eliminators

                  Hygiene of litter

         Frequency of scooping

         Frequency of changing

                  Absorbent qualities of substrate

                  Depth of Substrate

Preferred Substrates

                  Carpet / rugs

                  Clothing

Linens, bedding, towels

                  Potting soil

                  Paper

Hard, smooth surfaces

Litter box environment / location

Availability

Ratio of boxes to cats

Accessibility

Barriers

         Obstacles

                  Distance

         Physiological need

         Medical conditions / mobility

         Age

                  Aversive stimuli

         Sounds / noises

         Major appliances

         Ambient temperature

         Relative humidity

         Lack of privacy

         Potential for physical injury

                  Negative associations

         Medical

         Environmental

                  Social

         New humans / babies / animals

                  Social conflict

         Active

         Passive

         Changes in schedule

         Marking / Spraying