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Elimination behaviour in the cat: urine marking

Details
Category: Schede
Hits: 10
  • Disciplina: Comportamento
  • Specie: Gatto

Urine marking is the emission of a small or moderate amount of urine onto a vertical surface (Fig.1). According to some authors, the jet of urine can be directed slightly downwards (particularly in females) and the volume of urine discharged can also be quite considerable (P. Pageat). The cat explores the area with Flehmen’s reaction, remains on all four feet and sprays the urine moving the feet alternately in a kneading movement (“petrissage”). The animal half closes its eyes (J. C. Neilson) and holds its tail upright. The cat often carries out the Flehmen reaction again before moving away from the area.The sequence described can be used, for example, following a punishment inflicted by the animal’s owner: the cat urinates rapidly and then moves away. Usually there is no preference for the surface: the target varies from animal to animal, even though some objects tend to be marked more frequently. Some cats can spray urine while crouching, making small puddles of urine (on horizontal surfaces) in places considered of particular “social relevance” (J. C. Neilson, C. Béata).

 

 

The history taking should collect information on the following:

  • the frequency and way the urine marking takes place (for example, the number of episodes per week, whether the behaviour occurs only when the owner is absent for a few days);
  • the place involved (for example, whether the urine is sprayed only near a window);
  • the surface(s) chosen;
  • the posture assumed by the cat (for example, crouched or standing on all four feet);
  • the amount of urine sprayed;
  • the sequence of the behaviour;
  • the time dedicated to the elimination sequence;
  • the characteristics of the litter used (for example, the type of litter used, any changes in the type of litter used, the model and position of the litter box(es);
  • cleaning of the litter and box;
  • punishment and the cat’s response to the punishment;
  • the environmental history (for example, the possibility of going outside, a view of other cats from a window or a balcony, a house move, acquisition of new furniture);
  • the social history (for example, the occurrence of aggressive behaviour – even only intimidation – between cats living together and/or directed towards the family, the arrival of a new cat in the neighbourhood, the birth of a baby in the family);
  • the dietary history (for example, the type of food used, in order to plan any changes in diet);
  • drinking behaviour (it is useful to measure the amount of water drunk by the cat over 24 hours);
  • marking behaviour (the deposition of type F3 and F4 facial pheromones, marking by scratching, urinary marking);
  • medical history (results of any past laboratory investigations and clinical examinations).

All animals that urinate in inappropriate places should undergo a complete physical examination. Thediagnostic work-up should include:

  • physicochemical examination of the urine (sampled by cystocentesis);
  • urine culture;
  • full blood count and biochemistry tests (+ thyroid function tests in elderly cats);
  • diagnostic imaging (X-rays, ultrasound).

 

URINARY MARKING

Urinary marking is the emission of a modest amount of urine onto a vertical surface. The perception of pheromones in carnivores occurs thanks to the Flehmen orlip-curling behaviour, which consists of lifting the upper lip with the mouth half-open during inspiration and, in the cat, is completed by tongue movements. This behaviour causes upwards traction of the upper lip which is followed by the opening of a cartilaginous operculum that partially covers the incisor meatus. In this way, the lumen of the meatus is opened and, contemporaneously, the vascular erectile body of the vomeronasal organ collapses, giving molecules access to the olfactory mucosa lining the walls of the vomeronasal organ itself.

Pheromones, which are water-insoluble substances, bind to proteins (pheromone-binding proteins) dissolved in the mucus produced by the glands of the vomeronasal organ (there are specific proteins for most of the known pheromones). Thanks to this binding, the pheromones can reach the olfactory receptors that are located in a hydrophilic environment. The electrical impulses generated by the receptors travel along the vomeronasal nerve, reaching the accessory olfactory bulb and continuing from here to the limbic system. Some pheromones do not trigger the Flehmen response, while others are perceived contemporaneously by both the Flehmen response and via the nasal route.

 

URINARY MARKING AND BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE

Spraying of urine in an inappropriate place is one of the most commonly reported signs of behavioural disturbance in cats (Hart, 1978; Olm and Houpt, 1988; Beaver, 1992; Borchelt and Voith, 1996). For example, 61% of cases of behavioural problems reported to the Ontario Veterinary Collegein 2005 had urine spraying in an inappropriate place as a sign (Landsberg and Wilson, 2005). Between 19% and 38% of cats eliminate inappropriately, producing marking (Olm and Houpt, 1988; Beaver, 1989). Spraying urine on a vertical surface is a normal behaviour in sexually intact cats but can also be performed by sterilised cats. According to some researchers, as many as 10% of males and 5% of females perform urinary marking in adulthood (Hart and Cooper, 1984) while, according to others, 12% of castrated males and 4% of sterilised females may show the syndrome (Landsberg and Wilson, 2005).  Urinary marking can be differentiated into:

  • Urinary marking of a sexual nature: sexually intact male and female cats and cats sterilised at a late age (for example, after mating numerous times) perform this type of urinary marking. The urine spots are deposited in places (such as doors and windows) that give access to the external environment. Urinary marking is a fundamental part of the nuptial parade leading to mating (J. Dehasse);

  • Urinary marking as territorial information: in this case the urine is a message left by male and female cats (sexually intact or sterilised) to individuals (cats, other animals, humans) that enter the same territory or to the very cat that emitted the urine. The urine deposits are left in strategic places such as the perimeter of the territory, its entrances and exits, areas where there are resources, the crossing between a path and field of activity, and zones most used by the intended recipient of the message;

  • Reactive type urinary marking: this is performed by male and female cats (sexually intact or sterilised) when subjected to environmental and/or social stress. According to Landsberg andWilson, this behaviour can also be induced by smells and sounds. The presence of behavioural disorders (associated with pathological states) induces the urine marking. The urine deposits are left in strategic places such as the perimeter of the territory, its entrances and exits, areas where there are resources, the crossing between a path and field of activity, and zones most used by the intended recipient of the message.

Numerous behavioural and/or organic disorders can underlie urinary marking.

Reactive type urinary marking seems to be a sign of considerable emotional excitation (arousal) often associated with the presence of other cats in the same house and/or in the external environment or other stimuli that induce stress (changes such as a new room-mate, a baby, working habits of the owner and so on) (G. Landsberg et al., 1997). Frequent targets of urine spraying include kitchen appliances (because they discharge smells that make cats uneasy, according to C. Béata), loudspeakers, new objects in the house, objects in clear view (such as plants, furniture, bookshelves particularly close to a door or window) and areas close to an exit (such as doors, walls and windows) (Landsberg and Wilson, 2005). Some cats mark only a few sites, others mark a lot (Frank, Erb,  Houpt).

Cats that perform urinary marking normally use a litter box to urinate and defecate. Some individuals also mark the inside of the tray with urine (Landsberg and  Wilson, 2005). According to P. Pageat a state of overcrowding can occur when there are more than four cats in a house of 100 m2. This overcrowding is present even when the animals have free access to the external environment, but the feeding areas and spaces for isolation are within the house. Because of the superimposed territorial fields, a “despotic hierarchy” is established which gives rise to the state of anxiety underlying changes in facial marking. This leads to the onset of urinary marking in areas where resources are concentrated. It is difficult to eliminate urinary marking in conditions of overcrowding. Furthermore, urine marking by one cat in a social group can promote the same behaviour by the other cats. It is also worth highlighting that the presence of cats outside the house can induce territorial (and emotional) instability in the resident cat(s) (Fig. 2). The problem seems particularly evident when an unknown cat threatens the family cat through an open window or manages to enter the house.

 

Behavioural disorders able to develop into pathological states (phobias, anxiety, depression) can underlie urinary marking. The main behavioural disorders involved are cohabitation and territory-related disturbances. Individuals affected by hypersensitivity-hyperactivity syndrome often spray urine in a destructured sequence in non-strategic places (the urinary marking does not carry any message because these animals have no or only partial understanding of feline communication). Likewise, during pathological ageing the elderly cat can spray urine in a destructured sequence in non-strategic places because of its cognitive deficit (Fig. 3).

According to P. Pageat, organic disorders can also play a role in the appearance or continuation of urinary marking. In a study carried out by D. Frank, 20% of the cats displaying urinary marking had disorders of the urogenital system. Some organic disorders can cause a pathological state underlying the onset of urinary marking (accompanied by emotional micturition). According to some authors inappropriate micturition can be identified in some animals: this behaviour is characterized by emptying the bladder while standing on all four feet in cats with otherwise normal behaviour or cats affected by lower urinary tract disorders (G. Landsberg). These are cases of elimination disorders rather than urinary marking.

The veterinarian may also trigger this disorder, for example by discharging a cat after a period of hospitalisation without carrying out a careful behavioural evaluation of the group of animals living together. The resident cats may be aggressive towards the animal that was absent, creating a disorder called cohabitation anxiety in this individual (Fig. 4)

 

 

  

 

TREATMENT OF URINARY MARKING

The treatment of urinary marking consists of surgical sterilisation of sexually intact individuals, management of the environment, use of drug therapy (to treat the pathological condition affecting the patient) and behavioural modification.

 

Suggested readings

  1. N. Ogata, Y. Takeuchi, Studio clinico sull’utilizzo di un analogo del feromone felino nel controllo della marcatura urinaria del territorio da parte dei gatti Da: J. Vet. Med. Sci., 63 (2), 157 – 161, 2001
  2. D. S. Mills, J. C. White Follow up a lungo termine degli effetti di una terapia a base di feromone sul comportamento della marcatura urinaria nel gatto Da: Veternary Record, 147, 746 – 747, 2000
  3. D. S. Mills, C. B. Mills Valutazione di un nuovo metodo di rilascio di un analogo sintetico di un feromone felino per il controllo della marcatura urinaria del gatto Da: Veterinary  Record, 149, 197 – 199, 2001
  4. C. A. Griffith, E. S. Steigerwald, C. A. Tony Buffington Effetti di un feromone facciale sintetico sul comportamento dei gatti Da: J. A. V. M. A., 217, 8, 1154 – 1156, 2000
  5. D. A. Gunn-MooreA plot study using synthetic feline facial pheromone for the management of feline idiopathic cystitis Da: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2004) 6, 133–138
  6. D. A. Gunn-Moore, Cistite Idiopatica Felina (FIC), pubblicato da Hill’s, 2009
  7. D.F. Frank ), H.N Erb, K.A. Houpt Urine spraying in cats: presence of concurrent disease and effects of a pheromone treatment Da: Applied Animal Behaviour Science 61 1999 263–272
  8. Jacqueline C. NeilsonThinking outside the box: feline elimination Da: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2004) 6, 5–11
  9. Jacqueline C. Neilson, DVMFeline House Soiling: Elimination and Marking BehaviorsDa: Clinical thecniques in samll animal practice
  10. Gary M. Landsberg, Andrea L. Wilson, Effects of Clomipramine on Cats Presented for Urine Marking Da: J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2005;41:3-11.
  11. D. Hortwitz, Y. Foulard, A. J. Castagna, Nutrition E n c y c l o p e d i a o f Feline Clinical, This book is reproduced in the IVIS website with the permission of Royal Canin, The feeling behavior of the cat
  12. L. J. Wright, C. Noonan, S. Ahumada, M. Á. Bullones Rodríguez, D. Buchwald, N. Afari,  Psychological distress in twins with urological symptoms, General Hospital Psychiatry 32 (2010) 262–267
  13. J. Curtis Nickel, Dean A. Tripp, M. Pontari, R. Moldwin, R. Mayer, L. K. Carr, R. Doggweiler, C. C. Yang, N. Mishra and J. Nordling, Psychosocial Phenotyping in Women With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome: A Case Control Study THE JOURNAL OF UROLOGY® Printed in U.S.A. Vol. 183, 167-172, January 2010
  14. Guida completa ai problemi comportamentali nel cane e nel gatto, Veterinary Medicine Resource Guide, Volume 1, Comprendere i normali comportamenti del gatto e prevenire l’insorgenza dei problemi comportamentali, K. Overall, pp 28 – 37.