2014 AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats

Download - House-Soiling Guidelines
Download - Client Brochure

Download - Cat Owner Questionnaire (customizable)
Download - Cat Owner Instructions (customizable)

Owners of house-soiling cats frequently abandon or relinquish these pets to shelters where many are euthanized as unadoptable. Veterinarians can significantly decrease this number by preventing house-soiling or effectively treating it. To provide practice guidelines for veterinary professionals, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), have released the AAFP/ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats, which has also been endorsed by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

The AAFP/ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats contain scientifically documented information when available and provide practical insight that reflects the accumulated clinical experiences of the authors. The document emphasizes that this unwanted behavior is not due to spite or anger toward the owner, but because the cat's physical, social, or medical needs are not being met. The guidelines replace the term "inappropriate urination" with the term "house-soiling" because "house-soiling" implies no misconduct by the cat and thus, may encourage owners to better follow veterinary recommendations.

These guidelines help clinicians identify the causative factors of house-soiling and include a cat owner questionnaire which is customizable for clinic use. Within the document is an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of the four basic categories of house-soiling. The guidelines propose and explain two universal suggestions for the management of all cases of house-soiling: (1) optimizing the litter box/tray and (2) meeting the "five pillars" of feline environmental needs. They also include specific treatment suggestions for each diagnostic category, take-home instructions for cat owners, and what steps practitioners can take if the frustrated client is considering euthanasia.

"Our hope is that by using these guidelines, veterinary practices will be able to more effectively and confidently address cases of feline house-soiling," said Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP, and AAFP Advisory Panel Co-Chair. "Success with these cases will improve the veterinary-client-patient relationships and overall feline welfare, while keeping cats in their homes with a good quality of life."

The panel members include Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine and Feline); Tammy Sadek DVM, Dip ABVP (Feline); Terry Curtis DVM, MS, DACVB; Vicky Halls DipCouns; Sarah Heath, BVSc, DipECAWBM, CCAB, MRCVS; Pippa Hutchison, MSc, Dip(AS), CCAB; Kari Mundschenk, DVM; Jodi Westropp DVM, PhD, DACVIM.

Cat Owner Questionnaire - These questions are designed to help the veterinarian assess a cat that displays house-soiling behavior by quickly capturing relevant information for the patient's medical record. The questionnaire is customizable for clinic use.

Take Home Instructions - These take-home instructions provide practical guidance on corrective action for clients with a house-soiling cat. The veterinarian indicates specific recommendations for the individual cat by checking or ticking the relevant boxes.

Audio Podcast - Listen to SAGE Journal's podcast interview with Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP, AAFP Advisory Panel co-chair, and co-author of the guidelines.