A clean litter tray is valued by all concerned : for cats it is a matter of preference ; for owners , one of hygiene and odour . Just as deodorising litter substrates are often beneficial to owners but the scent can be aversive to cats , the same can apply to cleaning products . Citrus , for example , is a scent often used in cleaning products but it is also a major component of commercial cat repellents . In multi-cat households , it is also necessary to consider the frequency of use and related cleaning frequency . In multi-cat households , it is advisable to have one litter tray per cat , plus one more ( as a minimum ), and these should all be located away from each other and other resources , such as food and water . It is also necessary to consider social relationships and affiliations within the household , as these can impact on how resources are used . This is explored further in Part 3 of this series ).
Relevance to veterinary practice
In practice , nursing staff often experience issues with feline patients not using litter trays , even when they are used to doing so at home . Again , understanding normal behaviour , along with knowledge of a patient ’ s home routine and current condition , should be taken into account as part of a holistic approach to patient care . Table 1 proposes some points for consideration .
Marking or elimination ?
When presented with a report of inappropriate elimination , our first step must be to determine whether the cat is simply marking or whether it is a true case of inappropriate elimination . The two scenarios have differing considerations and would require different approaches . Elimination is part of the normal repertoire of maintenance behaviour , whereas marking behaviour , while still normal , is more related to social behaviour , including , but not limited to , territoriality ( ISFM , 2017 ).
Marking behaviour is linked with the notion of territory , which a cat will want to maintain in order to protect its sense of security . This will be done through olfactory cues , such as those present in urine and faeces , as well as pheromones ( as discussed in Part 1 ). As these olfactory markers have a long duration , they enable the cat to maintain its territory without coming into contact with unfamiliar conspecifics ( Bowen , 2018 ).
When determining whether urination is related to marking or elimination , it can be helpful to observe the cat ’ s stance and where the urine is deposited . Elimination tends to involve a squatting stance ( Figure 1 ) and the depositing of urine onto a horizontal surface . It may also involve digging into the substrate before and / or after urination has occurred . In addition , urination as a normal behaviour will take place in a latrine site , which is often in a private location within the cat ’ s territory ( although usually known to the owner ). The volume of urine produced when a healthy cat urinates is often relatively large , compared with marking . Marking behaviour tends to involve much smaller volumes of urine being deposited on a vertical surface ( although not always , so we always consider the complete picture ). Rather than squatting , the cat is likely to be standing with its tail erect and often quivering , and can also be observed padding with its paws .
Table 1 . Considerations when an inpatient cat is not using the litter tray .
Problem
Considerations
Patient toilets on bed
Patient is used to toileting outdoors
Patient cannot get into the litter tray
Lack of privacy
Ask the owner about the cat ’ s home routine ( e . g . substrate ) and adjust as necessary .
Use soil / compost as the litter tray substrate , but bear in mind health status ( e . g . wounds and infection potential ).
Consider shallow alternatives , such as incontinence pads or cardboard trays from food tin deliveries .
Cover the litter tray area by either using a towel to partially cover the door or placing the litter tray in a box .
Other considerations Placement – try to keep away from food and water and the resting area . This can require some imaginative use of the available space in the kennel .
Cleaning – if the patient is receiving intravenous fluid therapy it will use the tray more frequently , so it should be checked / cleaned more often .
38 Veterinary Nursing Journal