A Feline Semiochemical Composition Influences the Cat’s Toileting Location Choice

Abstract

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.

Can a semiochemical deter cats from trash cans?

“…The experimental room was familiar to the cats. In fact, they were regularly exposed to a habituation procedure to ensure that they were comfortable staying alone in the experimental room, as described in Kasbaoui et al 7 The procedure was blinded and randomised. The treatment or placebo was sprayed six times on one garbage can each (four times on the trash bag, once on the outer side [wall side, to avoid contamination with the other can] and once on the front of the can), according to the randomisation list (A or B), 5 mins before the introduction of the cat in the experimental room.…”

“…The volume of spray applied was 1.2 ml for each spray. The treatment used was a reconstituted partial volatile fraction (CEMS – ‘Cat Elimination Modulation Semiochemical’) of the secretion of a male cat’s anal gland, as described by Kasbaoui et al 7 The control treatment was a mixture of ethanol and water (60% ethanol). Each test was performed for 10 mins in the morning, during the same hour on each day of testing.…”

“…Indeed, as it has already been shown to induce avoidance behaviour around a litter tray, our hypothesis is that chemical communication could be used to repel cats from garbage cans. In fact, a study has shown that cats eliminated significantly less in a litter tray sprayed with a semiochemical developed from the anal glands of male cats, 7 which could have a role in territorial marking. 8 This result prompted the idea that the same semiochemical could be used to manage other problems, such as garbage scattering.…”