Unacceptable indoor elimination is when a cat pees/ poos outside the litter box or at inappropriate places. Below are some reasons why this might occur:
- Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
- Other medical reasons
- Marking
- Environmental and social factors
The ultimate aim is to re-establish appropriate associations with locations and substrates. In order to achieve this, it is important to optimise the cat’s environment. With regards to environmental factors, litter facilities can be optimised with the following tips:
- Provide sufficient numbers of litter boxes, distributed in appropriate locations in the home environment. Aim to ensure that all cats would be able to obtain free and immediate access to a litter box without the risk of encountering another cat if all should need to toilet at the same moment in time
- Pay particular attention to positioning of the litter boxes in separate, visually protected sites.
- Consider the physical capability of the cat(s) access to the facilities, for example, provide one litter box on each floor of the house for elderly cats with chronic osteoathritis-related pain.
- Position litter boxes away from food and water.
- Maximise the cat’s perception of safety by positioning litter boxes away from thoroughfares, glass windows, cat flaps and entry and exit points. (all potentially perceived as unsafe)
- Ensure litter boxes are an adequate size-ideally rectangular and 1.5 x the length of the cat from nose to base of tail. In one study, adult cats preferred a box that was 86 x 39cm (34 x 15in) over a smaller one. For an average sized cat of 46 cm (18 in) form nose to base of tail liter tray is recommended to be 69 x 46 cm(27 x 18in).
- Provide a choice of covered/ hooded and open trays.
- Use a sand-like clumping non-scented substrate, maintaining depth of 3-4 cm
- Clean by scooping solids and clumped urine at least twice daily, top up with fresh litter if necessary.
- Empty entire contents once a week, wash with boiling water and refill with fresh litter to the previous level.
- Avoid using polythene liners or any deodorant additives.
Adapted from the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Vol 21/Issue 3/March 2019