House Soiling Problems in Domestic Cats

Description:

Highly practical, this book is the first in a series entitled Domestic Cat Behaviour Problems designed to help veterinary professionals and behaviourists understand the background behind common domestic cat behaviour problems and provide various treatment strategies. The text in this volume covers feline problem elimination and marking behaviour inside the home, outlining: *Normal behaviour. *The various underlying causes of feline house-soiling. *Prevention of unwanted behaviour. *Recognition of potential trigger factors and warning signs. *How to identify contributory factors. *Practical treatment strategies. Brimming with sound practical advice, this book will be invaluable to veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, clinical animal behaviourists, and those studying domestic cat behaviour.

Table of Contents:

What is House-soiling?

References

About the Author

Introduction

What is House-soiling?

References

1 Normal Elimination and Elimination Behaviour

Urination ? What is Normal

Defaecation ? What is Normal

Digging and Covering

References

2 Feline Health and House-soiling

The Links between Physical Health and House-soiling

Pain and discomfort

Context association

Mobility issues

Excess volume or frequency of urination or defaecation

Reduction or alteration to sensory or cognitive abilities

Disease Conditions Most Commonly Linked to Feline House-soiling

Diseases of the urinary tract

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

Kidney disease

Diseases of the digestive tract

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Musculoskeletal pain and reduced mobility

Degenerative joint disease (DJD)

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Endocrine disease

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes insipidus

Hyperthyroidism

Neurological disease

Incontinence

Cognitive dysfunction

References

3a Providing the Ideal Elimination Area: Part 1 ? Indoor Litter Trays

How Many Litter Trays to Provide

The social relationship between household cats

A reluctance to share

Fear or anxiety

Blocking

The health of the cat

The size and layout of the house

Individual preferences

Access to other elimination areas

Positioning of Litter Trays

Areas to avoid

Close to, or within sight of, low windows or glass doors

?High-traffic? areas

Close to household appliances

Close to areas used by other household pets or children

In areas where there is bright or harsh lighting

Close to, or within sight of, the cat flap or other entrances and exits

Position litter trays away from other activities

Provide separate areas for urination and defaecation

Provide quick and easy access

Provide an increased sense of security

Litter Tray Design

Size

Shape

Type

Automatic self-cleaning litter trays

Easy-clean litter trays

Covered or uncovered?

Top-entry litter trays

Home-made litter trays

Cat Litter

Factors that can influence litter preference

Early experience

Negative or positive experiences

Cleanliness

Depth

Scent

Texture and type

Accessories

Litter mats (aka cat litter trapping mats)

Litter tray liners

Litter additives

External odour eliminators and air fresheners

References

3b Providing the Ideal Elimination Area: Part 2 ? Outdoor Elimination Areas

Fit a Cat Flap

Where to fit a cat flap

Training a cat to use a cat flap

Provide Safe and Secluded Outdoor Latrine Areas

Provide a purpose-built outdoor latrine

Regular Parasite Control and Veterinary Visits

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

?Cat-proof? the Garden or Build an Enclosure

References

4 Marking Behaviour

Olfactory (Scent) Communication

The vomeronasal organ (VNO)

Pheromones

Urine Marking

Spraying

Why Do Cats Urine Mark?

Territorial marking

Sexual marking

Entire males

Entire females

Urine marking related to stress

Stress-related urine marking and organic disease

Middening

References

5 Treatment and Management Strategies

1. Could the House-soiling be a Sign of a Medical Emergency?

2. Do Not Attempt Punishment

3. Cleaning, Replacing and Preventing Access to Soiled Areas

How to clean

Removal and replacement

Preventing access

4. Periuria, Perichezia or Marking Behaviour?

Marking behaviour ? initial considerations

5. Have There Been Any Recent Changes or Events?

6. Review the Current Litter Tray and/or Other Eliminatory Area Provisions for the Cat

7. Veterinary Involvement

8. Review the Cat?s Past and Current Social and Environmental Situation

Consider the cat?s history

Consider the social relationships between household cats

Consider the influence of neighbouring cats and other animals

Consider other influences

References

Index

Back Cover