Cat with a toileting problem

Background

Jess is a black and white, 7 year old female cat, spayed. The owner obtained her at between 6 and 8 weeks. Jess had been toileting in the house every night, both urine and faeces. This had been going on for about nine months. The problem started just after the owner moved to her present address. The owner was living alone, previously having always lived with other people. Diagnosis After taking a comprehensive case history it was concluded that Jess, unused to being left alone in the house over night lost confidence in her ability to go out at night and started toileting indoors. It is possible that other neighbourhood cats were intimidating her, exacerbating the problem.

Treatment Plan

The vet had referred Jess and any physiological cause of the problem had therefore been eliminated prior to the consultation. Urinary infections are often implicated in indoor toileting in cats.

The owner was advised to:

Thoroughly clean area where the cat has soiled using biological washing powder followed by surgical spirit.
Bait the toileting site using dry cat food. Cats will not toilet near food.
Use Feliway in some strategic locations. Feliway is a synthetic version of the feline pheromone deposited by a cats face when they rub and it promotes feelings of comfort.

A follow up call 2 weeks later found complete resolution of the problem; no more indoor toileting and happy owners.

 

Having been controlled and manipulated by larger than life Collie X for about 12 years I decided that enough was enough and returned to college to study for the Advanced Study Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at Southampton University. I helped pay my way through college by working as a dog walker. Since graduating in 2004 I have been training dogs and sorting out pet behaviour problems in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, the West-Midlands and The Borders. I gained full membership of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors in 2007 and I was made a full member of the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists in 2010. I regularly attend workshops and seminars to keep up to date with new developments. I have become well established within the Veterinary community of Shropshire and many clients are able to claim my fee through their pet insurance. I live with my human family plus two Dogs, Cat and Guinea Pigs in Shrewsbury.

Claire Kirby BSc Hons AS/Dip (CABC)
Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling Southampton University 2004
Pet Behaviour Counselling , 3 Coton Crescent, Coton Hill,
Shrewsbury, SY1 2NY, 01743 249968
claire@4-legs-good.co.uk
www.4-legs-good.co.uk