Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why cats urinate or poop outside the litter box indoors
By Heath, Sarah·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2019·European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine (Companion Animals) Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Common feline problem behaviours: Unacceptable indoor elimination.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat that suddenly starts urinating or defecating outside the litter box can be a major concern for owners. This behavior can strain the bond between pets and their families, leading many to seek help from veterinarians. It's important to understand that this issue can stem from both physical health problems and emotional stress in cats. A thorough examination and history-taking by the vet can help identify the underlying causes, which may include medical conditions or environmental factors. Addressing these issues early can improve the cat's well-being and restore harmony in the household.
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Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: One of the reasons why cats enjoy such a high level of popularity as domestic pets is the fact that they are clean. When there is a breakdown in this fastidious behaviour and elimination occurs outside of the litter box or tray, the strain on the cat-owner bond and on human relationships within the household can be considerable. EVIDENCE BASE: Indoor elimination behaviour is one of the most common reasons for cat owners to seek professional advice and there is a wide range of articles, book chapters and research papers that reference it. In many cases the topic of urination and defecation in unacceptable indoor locations is considered in combination with the deposition of urine or faeces as a marker, but this review focuses purely on problematic elimination. An accompanying article in this special issue discusses urine spraying. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Indoor elimination problems necessitate a clinical approach combining knowledge from the fields of physical and emotional health and an understanding of normal feline behaviour. They also require comprehensive history-taking skills as well as effective communication skills and a degree of empathy for owners who are often finding their pet's behaviour very distressing. GLOBAL IMPORTANCE: Early diagnosis of physical health disorders that are associated with indoor elimination is extremely important in terms of safeguarding feline welfare. As we become more aware of the interplay between physical and emotional health, the significance of identifying suboptimal social and physical environments in terms of optimising the welfare of domestic cats is also being recognised. The potential for indoor elimination problems to cause considerable human distress highlights the importance of the concepts of One Health and One Welfare.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30810090/