Page 1020 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1012 PART 12 CAT WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

they will not be disturbed, e.g. under beds, behind – Hormonal factors. Entire cats spray more than
furniture. They may have learnt to urinate in the neutered cats, and male cats spray more than
location where the litter box was originally placed, female cats.
even though the litter box has now been relocated. – Territorial, agonistic encounters or any highly
● Litter box location aversion can also develop if arousing circumstances.
the cat has an unpleasant experience while in the – Environmental stimuli such as the sight, sound
box. Cats that experience pain while urinating (e.g. or smell of another cat, within the household, as
with cystitis, arthritic pain) may develop an aver- well as outside.
sion to using the litter tray in that location. – Anxiety-related problems including separation
● Substrate preference. Some cats prefer to anxiety, changes in routine (for example, moving
scratch in soft textures or surfaces, others on hard. house), the introduction of a new spouse, new baby
● Substrate aversion. Some cats do not like getting or new cat in the area.
their feet wet or dirty so they will not use soiled lit-
Inappropriate defecation is associated with the
ter boxes. Every cat litter also has a different odor,
elimination of waste.
so many cats develop a preference or aversion to a
particular scent. Predisposing factors for inappropriate defecation
● Fear and anxiety. Separation anxiety can cause include:
elimination problems, and this is usually seen when ● Medical conditions such as cystitis, diarrhea and
the owner is absent. The cat may choose to eliminate constipation have been reported as associated factors.
on the objects associated with the owner, e.g. clothes, ● Cats that experience pain while defecating (e.g.
bedding, briefcases, shoes. It is usually seen after constipation, arthritic pain) sometimes develop an
separation greater than 12 hours, or immediately the aversion to using the litter box.
owner returns. Fearful cats may eliminate where they ● Factors, which predispose to inappropriate urination
are hiding, as often they are too frightened to go to also predispose to inappropriate defecation. These
the litter box. include litter box aversion, litter box location
preference, litter box location aversion, substrate
Spraying is a marking behavior, often associated
preference, substrate aversion, fear and anxiety.
with anxiety. It may be territorial, sexual or agonistic.
Rarely defecation may be a marking behavior.
In multi-cat households it is associated with overt or
covert aggression.
● Cats that spray usually stand, but may squat, usu- Clinical signs
ally produce only a small quantity of urine, fre-
The elimination of urine or feces in an inappropriate loca-
quently use vertical surfaces but may use horizontal
tion. The amount and frequency may also be altered.
surfaces and rarely scratch afterwards.
● It is estimated that 10% of castrated males and 5% Inappropriate elimination is a non-specific sign. It may
of spayed females spray at some time in their life. be associated with a medical condition, fear or anxiety,
Spraying appears to be more common in multi-cat or factors associated with the litter box.
households with a 100% chance of at least one cat
Inappropriate urination or defecation involves the
spraying in a household with more than 10 cats.
cat passing normal amounts of urine or feces outside
Male cats that live with a female cat are more
the litter box.
likely to spray than those living with another male
cat. Spraying or urine marking involves the cat passing
● Predisposing factors include: small amounts of urine usually on vertical objects,
– Medical conditions ranging from those associ- often in response to an anxiety-provoking stimulus.
ated with the urogenital system such as renal
calculi, renal failure and cystitis, as well as viral
Diagnosis
diseases such as FIV and FELV and impacted
anal glands. It is reported that up to 30% of cats Diagnosis is based on a complete behavioral history
that present for spraying may have a concurrent with a finding of inappropriate elimination. A thorough
medical condition. physical examination, hematological and biochemical