The litterbox: The smelly war no one signed up for
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Authors
Cameron, Kristie
Mitchell, B.
Mitchell, B.
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Date
2024-11-16
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
cats (Felis catus)
cat litter boxes
toilet training
cat litter boxes
toilet training
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Cameron, K.E., & Mitchell, B. (2024, November 16). The litterbox: The smelly war no one signed up for [Paper presentation]. Unitec School of Environmental and Animal Sciences Research Symposium 2024, Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6757
Abstract
Managing a litter box for an indoor cat is arguably one of the most annoying tasks for a guardian. But regular maintenance is important to mitigate the development of behavioural and physiological problems associated with toileting and general welfare. Feline toileting is a combination of a series of complex behaviours. If these are not completed adequately by the cat, it could result in a persistence of behaviour performed at the litterbox. In turn, this might cause a deficit in normal behaviour and the outcome, such as increased mess, can be an inconvenience for the owner. In the cattery environment, a new sustainable coconut coir litter of a dirt consistency, and a pelletized wood litter was offered to individually-housed cats over a four-day period. Motion-detection video recordings were collected when the cats were offered both the litter and coir, and each type of substrate individually. The behaviour was coded using an ethogram. The coconut coir litter was found to reduce inappropriate elimination behaviours such as extended interacting (scratching at the litter and surrounding areas) and lingering (sniffing in and around the litter and defecation or urination) within a few days. In comparison, prolonged behaviour outside of toileting was observed for the basic pelletised wood litter indicating it may not provide an ideal toileting environment. While the coir improved the opportunity for appropriate behaviour for the cat it produced more mess and increased maintenance workload for cattery staff. To ensure a long and positive relationship between owner and cat the substrate of the litterbox needs to be acceptable to the cat and not encourage undesired behaviour, and to the owner for ease of management. The next experiment will test the utility of a pelletised coconut coir product to minimise inconvenience for owners and offering cats a product that allows for the opportunity to perform appropriate toileting behaviours.
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