A Feline Semiochemical Composition Influences the Cat's Toileting Location Choice.

Abstract

Simple SummaryUnwanted toileting is amongst the most undesirable behaviors in cats. The aim of this study was to test the effect of a chemical cue derived from cat anal glands on the elimination behavior of domestic cats tested individually. A total of 31 cats were tested for 23 h in an enriched test room where they had the choice between two litter trays, one sprayed with the composition tested and the other with the control. We measured the weight of elimination, the weight of urine, we recorded the type of elimination, and counted the urine spots and stool piles. We also looked at the duration of exploration of litter trays, and what trays the cats were choosing to toilet as a first and second choice. We demonstrated, across all parameters, that cats urinated and defecated significantly less in the litter trays where the chemical cue was sprayed. These results confirm and strengthen those of our previous study. Future studies could explore if a chemical cue derived from male cat anal glands might be used to manage unwanted toileting in cats.Unwanted toileting is amongst the most undesirable behaviors in domestic cats and can lead to conflicts between cats and the communities they are living in. This study aimed to confirm the effect of a semiochemical composition, reconstituted volatile fraction derived from cat anal glands, on the elimination behavior of domestic cats. A total of 31 cats were tested individually, for 23 h, in a blinded randomized choice test, with two litter trays, one sprayed with the treatment and the other with the control. Parameters included elimination weight, urine only weight, the record of the elimination type and counting of urine spots and stools, exploration duration of each litter tray, and first and second choice of litter tray to eliminate. Across all parameters, cats urinated and defecated significantly less in the litter tray where the semiochemical composition was sprayed than in the litter tray where the control was sprayed (for example: elimination weight p < 0.0001; urine only weight p < 0.0001; exploration duration p < 0.0001, and first elimination choice p < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that a semiochemical composition-derived from cat anal glands significantly decreases elimination at the location where it is sprayed. Future research is warranted to explore the possibility to manage unwanted toileting using this semiochemical composition.