Soiling Indoors
The cat is usually fastidious about its toilet habits and
will consistently use a litter tray indoors, if it is provided,
or soil in the garden. If she is soiling
indoors it can therefore be very worrying.
Occasionally a one-off accident can occur if a cat is ill,
trapped in a room or suddenly frightened. If inappropriate
defecation in the home persists it should be investigated for
the health and welfare of the cat.
Whatever the cause, punishment is not the answer. This will
only make the cat fearful and the problem worse. Deterrents,
such as tin foil, pepper, citrus peel or a water pistol will
merely redirect the behaviour to another site, cause further
anxiety and delay investigating the root cause for the
behaviour. Despite the unpleasant nature of this problem it is
important to remember - this is not a dirty protest! The cat is
not seeking revenge or making a point; something has gone wrong
in its world and a certain amount of detective work is required
to find out what.
Cleaning soiled areas
Whether a genuine accident or not, once the cat has
defecated at a particular location its sensitive nose will
encourage it to use that place as a regular toilet.
The best way to break the habit is to keep the cat away from
the area as long as possible, remove any smell that the cat can
detect and change the geography of the location by using pieces
of furniture to block access. Wash the area with a 10% solution
of biological or enzymatic washing powder and then rinse with
cold water and allow to dry.
Why does my cat soil indoors?
There are numerous reasons why an individual cat would start to
soil indoors. Listed below are the most common reasons together
with possible solutions. Illness Urinary tract disease or
diarrhoea can cause soiling as the cat is either in discomfort
or just couldn't make it to the litter tray or outside.
Possible solution: Treatment by a veterinary surgeon will
usually return the cat's habits to a normal acceptable pattern.
Occasionally cats will continue to soil if they have
experienced discomfort on the tray so it may be necessary to
provide an additional tray elsewhere to encourage use. Old age
An older cat may not want to venture out in bad weather or may
be have problems using the cat flap because of stiff joints. As
a cat gets older it becomes more insecure and it may feel
threatened by the presence of other cats in the territory.
Possible solution: It is almost inevitable that, at some stage,
elderly cats will require safe and accessible toilet facilities
indoors. The provision of an indoor litter tray often resolves
this problem. It is always important to rule out medical causes
for soiling in the elderly. Fear or anxiety Cats are at their
most vulnerable when defecating outside and, if they feel
threatened, it may deter them from doing so. Other cats are
usually the biggest problem but it could be a neighbour's dog
or even a sudden loud noise. Possible solution: The provision
of a discreet litter tray indoors will take away the feelings
of anxiety and the need for the cat to make a conscious
decision to find a suitable toilet site. Accompanying the cat
on visits to the garden may also help. Your cat may normally
have chosen to toilet well away from its home so it may be
beneficial to make its own garden more appealing. Create an
area of soil in a quiet corner relatively close to the house
(for ease of escape back indoors) and mix in a high proportion
of peat-free soil or sand. Presence of strangers Occasionally a
cat will urinate or defecate indoors if strangers are in the
home and access to the litter tray or outdoors would require
the cat to pass through the same room as the visitor. Some cats
suffer from 'home alone' anxieties when their owners go away
and leave them to defend the house by themselves. The presence
of a stranger caring for them can cause some cats to feel
intensely threatened and subsequently 'mark' an area,
particularly the owner's bed, which has a strong, familiar and
reassuring scent. Possible solution: provide an indoor litter
facility in the room where the cat seeks refuge just in case he
gets 'caught short'! The best way to avoid 'home alone' soiling
is to keep the bedroom door shut and try to get familiar people
to care for your cat in your absence. Some cats are
particularly prone to the stress of being left behind and they
actually benefit from a visit to a reputable and caring FAB
Listed Boarding Cattery. Specialist help Soiling can be cured
in many cats using the techniques outlined here. In some cases
the problem can be more persistent and it is advisable to
discuss it with your veterinary surgeon rather than leave it to
resolve on its own.
Reference Feline Advisory Board - www.fabcats.org