The ins and outs of the litter box: A detailed ethogram of cat elimination behavior in two contrasting environments

Abstract

A B S T R A C TFew studies have sought to describe cat elimination behavior in detail and much of the information presently available focuses on factors that potentially cause cats to reject a litter box. Thus, the ethograms published in the current veterinary and scientific literature largely focus on macro behaviors (e.g., enter box, dig, squat, cover, and exit box) and lack the detail necessary to make distinctions between types of litter box experiences for cats. To facilitate our understanding of what positive and negative litter box experiences look like for cats, we observed cats eliminating in both an enriched ("positive") and in a clinic-like ("restricted") environment. Our results reveal that cat elimination behavior is complex and may include up to 39 different behaviors expressed during urination and defecation events. We further evaluated each event, examining the behaviors occurring pre-, during, and post-elimination as a means to better understand the behaviors associated with the appetitive, consummatory, and post-consummatory phases of the reward cycle around elimination. In doing so, we found clear differences in behavior at different stages of the elimination sequence between our two environments. In general, the elimination sequence was prolonged in the clinic-like environment compared to the enriched environment (P < 0.005) and most of the extra time was spent interacting with the box post-elimination (P < 0.005). In the clinic-like environment cats were hesitant to enter the box, spent a considerable amount of time pawing at surfaces other than the litter (P < 0.02) and spent a great deal of time sniffing eliminations postelimination (P < 0.005). In addition, cats in the clinic-like environment had less frequent urination events and their events were longer in duration than when in the enriched environment (P < 0.0039). Thus, although seemingly counterintuitive, a relatively brief elimination sequence may be indicative of a more positive litter box experience. In addition, when given the opportunity cats will utilize a large amount of space during their elimination sequence. Despite popular perception that cats will immediately turn to out-of-box elimination if they are dissatisfied with their litter box environment, we discovered that cats will continue to use a box (and not eliminate outside the box) even when their behavior is indicative of frustration.

The Behavioural Effects of Innovative Litter Developed to Attract Cats

“…This is the first study to examine whether a plant-based litter additive can alter feline elimination behaviour. By using frequency, total duration and duration of six behaviours previously associated with litter box use by McGowan et al [11], we were able to investigate the preference of cats using a litter product with attractant. Cats urinated more often in the ATTRACT litter than the PLANT, suggesting that cats preferred the ATTRACT litter for urination more than the PLANT control.…”

“…The ethogram used for this study was based on the one designed by McGowan et al [11], which consisted of 39 different behaviours. This ethogram included 10 primary behaviours based on litter box involvement only; four of which were subdivided into more detailed categories to discriminate among pre-box use event, during box use, and post-box use event (Table 2).…”

“…Cats may eliminate elsewhere in the home for many reasons, but stress is often a factor. Stress may be a result of conflict with other cats in and around the home, recent changes in the home, and problems with the litter box itself [8,11]. Litter box management can be difficult to maintain, and poor or inconsistent management of the litter box is likely a primary reason why cats might start to eliminate elsewhere in the home.…”

“…Furthermore, if the cat or another pet were to ingest the litter, it would be better digested than a clumping clay litter and is therefore considered a safer choice [15]. While good litter management may help ensure that cats use their litter boxes, even with proper management, some cats may still show an aversion to the litter box [10,11]. In addition to the factors previously listed, others such as breed, reproductive status, and age of the cat have been reported to affect elimination behaviour; however, very little is known regarding the role sex might play in these behaviours [16,17,18,19].…”

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS OF CATS (Felis catus) – IMPORTANCE FOR HUMANS

“…They can indicate their opposition or dissatisfaction in a given matter very clearly. A good knowledge of the basic principles of communication between these animals and their environment makes it possible to develop a good relationship with the pet and to avoid many problems associated with behavioural disorders (Cichoń 2007a;Farnworth 2015;McGowan et al 2017). This paper presents the most important changes in posture, including the arrangement of whiskers and tail and ear movements, as well as the vocalizations that allow human beings to correctly assess the emotional states of the cat.…”