Distinguishing Urine Marking From Undesirable Toileting in Cats
Factor | Urine Marking | Undesirable Toileting |
|---|---|---|
Posture | Standing posture with tail up and twitching (occasionally performed in a squatting position) | Squatting posture |
Amount of urine/feces deposited | Small amount of urine | Voided quantity of urine or feces |
Location | Primarily on vertical surfaces (marking horizontal surfaces is less common) Primarily on surfaces of social importance (doorways, windows, furniture, travel routes, new scents, new objects) | Exclusively on horizontal surfaces, unless physical problems hinder squatting; very often demonstrates a substrate preference (eg, fabric, soft porous surfaces) or choice of a private, safe location (eg, owner's bed) |
Gender specificity | More likely in males than in females | Equally likely in males and females |
Frequency | Variable | Variable |
Use of litter box | Continued litter box urination for voiding | In some cases, less frequent use of the litter box In some cases, digging less or not digging in the litter before eliminating |