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Does previous use affect litter box appeal in multi-cat households?
J J Ellis1, R T S McGowan1, F Martin1
1Behavior and Welfare Section, Nestlé Purina Research, Saint Joseph, MO, USA(1).
Behavioural Processes
|February 21, 2017
Summary
Cats prefer clean litter boxes, but the previous user
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Feline Ethology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Cats' avoidance of eliminated materials is assumed, guiding litter box cleaning practices.
- The influence of prior litter box use on subsequent cat preferences is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how previous litter box use, user identity, elimination type, odor, and obstructions affect litter box appeal in multi-cat homes.
Main Methods:
- Observational study in a multi-cat household setting.
- Assessing cat preferences for litter boxes based on varying conditions of cleanliness, previous user, odor presence, and physical obstructions.
Main Results:
- Cats showed a clear preference for clean over dirty litter boxes.
- Litter box preference was not influenced by the identity of the previous user.
- Odor from urine/feces did not affect preferences, but odorless artificial feces were preferred over artificial urine.
- Physical/visual obstructions significantly impacted litter box appeal.
Conclusions:
- Malodor and chemical communication appear to play minimal roles in litter box preferences.
- Regular removal of physical and visual obstructions is crucial for promoting appropriate litter box use in cats.
