SUMMER 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...

Ask a Trainer
CATastrophe!
Q: I adopted two cats in May of last
year and they have been wonderful
companions. They are the only pets
I have and they have never had any
issues until now. I recently had an
overnight guest and the cats were not
able to sleep in their normal spots. In
the morning I noticed that one of the cats
had defecated on the floor. I’m worried
because they have never done anything
like this before and their litterbox is
always kept very clean. What’s your
advice?
Worried in Carlsbad, CA
As you suspected, your guest may have
disrupted a familiar habit or sleeping
area, which could be the cause of the
uneasiness in your cats.
If your cats are relieving themselves
in places other than the litter box as a
result of stress, punishment will only add
to your cats’ anxiety and perpetuate the
problem.
A practical solution for you and your
cats may be to set up an undisturbed
“quiet area” for your cats where they
For many pets,
and especially cats,
Behavior Trainer Margaret Lenoir plays with an
adoptable cat named Lucas in his habitat. The
Humane Society’s cat habitats have music, toys,
soft beds and cat pheromone plug-ins to help
calm the cats and make them feel at home.
Photo: Sarah Whorley
A: Thank you for your question!
Inappropriate elimination is not an
uncommon behavioral issue in cats.
First, I would recommend that you
have your cats seen by your veterinarian,
as behavioral changes are sometimes a
result of an underlying medical problem.
Barring any medical issues, behavior
changes can often stem from stress or
anxiety. For many pets, and especially
cats, any sort of change in their environment
or routine can be distressing.
An adoptable cat relaxes at the Humane Society
in a habitat designed to keep cats happy,
healthy and stress-free.
Photo: BJ Comer
any sort of change
in their environment
or routine can
be distressing.
can feel comfortable hanging out when
you have guests. Play soothing music
in the area and spend time with them
there to ensure they feel comfortable
and at ease. You will also want to fill
the area with enrichments such as toys,
cozy places to lounge or snuggle, hiding
places, cat trees, and a sufficient number
of litter boxes (the general rule for litter
boxes, especially if you are having issues,
is one for each cat, plus one).
You may also want to use a product
called “Feliway,” a spray-on or plug-in
cat pheromone that helps to calm cats
and that can prevent urination where
the product is sprayed. Feliway is
available at the San Diego Humane
Society and SPCA Store and other pet
retailers. Using the plug-in version of
Feliway in your cat’s quiet area will
help them feel even more relaxed and
at ease in their safe place.
The key is to provide your cats with
a place that will help them relieve
stress and relax when they are feeling
upset by change.
For more helpful information on the
root of feline behavior, you also may be
interested in attending our “How To
Live Happily Ever After with Your Cat”
workshop. This two-hour problem
solving class includes such topics as how
to better communicate with your cat,
preventing common behavior problems,
appropriate play, and much more.
Space in this popular class is limited;
so if you’d like to attend please call
(619) 299-7012, ext. 2247 to pre-register.
I wish you the best of luck with your
cats’ issue and in creating a “no stress”
zone for your cats.
Sincerely,
Margaret Lenoir,
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
and San Diego Humane Society
and SPCA Behavior Trainer
Have a question for our Behavior and Training
staff? E-mail us at behavior@sdhumane.org.
AnimalFare • Summer 2006
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