Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat urine marking and toileting problems explained
By Neilson, Jacqui·Published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·2004·Animal Behavior Clinic, 809 SE Powell Boulevard, Portland, OR 97202, USA, United States·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Thinking outside the box: Feline elimination
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with elimination issues, like urinating outside the litter box, is a common concern for pet owners. It's important to first check for any medical problems that could be causing this behavior, as many cats may have underlying health issues. If no medical problems are found, the next step is to determine if the cat is marking territory or simply avoiding the litter box. Solutions may include neutering the cat, reducing stress in their environment, and ensuring the litter box is appealing. With the right approach, many cats can be helped to return to using their litter box consistently.
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Abstract
Feline elimination problems are the leading behavioral complaint of cat owners. When presented with a feline elimination problem there are three main diagnostic categories: medical problems, marking or toileting problems. It isimportant to first perform diagnostic tests to rule out and/or address underlying medical issues and all feline housesoiling patients should receive a comprehensive physical examination. When the elimination problem persists after a medical problem has either been ruled out or remedied, a behavioral diagnosis should be obtained. The primary distinction that must be made in a behavioral diagnosis is whether the cat is engaging in marking behavior or selecting a spot other than the litterbox for elimination (a toileting problem). The motivation for urine marking may be territorial behavior or anxiety/stress whereas toileting problems are often triggered by medical causes, aversions, preferences or anxiety. Marking animals should be neutered and additional treatment measures may include reducing conflict and stress in the environment. Drug therapy has been long used to help control urine marking and recent studies have furthered our knowledge about the most appropriate treatments. Treatment for toileting problems should focus on providing an attractive litterbox while reducing the attractiveness or accessibility of inappropriate target spots.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2003.09.008