Multifactorial drivers of house-soiling behaviour in domestic cats (Felis catus): effects of social environment, management, care and health

Damasceno, J, Viana-Junior, AB, Avelino, CD, Schork, IG, Figueiredo Passos, L ORCID: 0000-0003-4529-9950, Young, RJ and Azevedo, CSD ORCID: 0000-0003-0256-9017 (2026) Multifactorial drivers of house-soiling behaviour in domestic cats (Felis catus): effects of social environment, management, care and health. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. ISSN 0168-1591

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Abstract

House-soiling (characterised by defecation and/or urination outside the litter box) is one of the most common behaviour issues in cats worldwide, leading to drastic results such as increased relinquishment rates, impaired human-animal interactions, and even leading to euthanasia. This study examined the multifactorial determinants of house-soiling by evaluating how cat-owner management and care practices, social environment, behavioural indicators, and household features influence outcomes. Data provided by 421 cat owners were analysed using multivariable logistic regression and six formative indices (Litter Box Management, Social Conflict, Environmental Stress, External Stimuli, Feeding Practices, and Health). The number of cats in the household emerged as a key risk factor, with homes containing more than three cats showing a substantial increase in the odds of house-soiling behaviour. This behaviour was associated with social conflict among cohabiting cats, cumulative environmental stressors, and territorial pressures from neighbouring outdoor cats. Although a composite litter box management index was not predictive, specific deficiencies, such as undersized litter boxes, infrequent cleaning, and urine-only elimination, were strong individual predictors. In our results, feeding practices and a general health index showed fewer associations, whereas specific urinary and gastrointestinal conditions were more strongly associated. Overall, the findings indicate that house-soiling behaviour represents a complex behavioural signal arising from the interaction of social tension, external territorial challenges, and various failures in litter box management. Effective intervention, therefore, requires a multifaceted approach that integrates environmental modifications to reduce social conflict and external stressors with careful optimisation of litter box management quality, including size, number, cleanliness, and location.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0608 Zoology; 0702 Animal Production; 0707 Veterinary Sciences; Behavioral Science & Comparative Psychology; 3003 Animal production; 3009 Veterinary sciences; 3109 Zoology
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Elsevier
Date of acceptance:	23 April 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	1 May 2026
Date Deposited:	01 May 2026 12:53
Last Modified:	01 May 2026 12:53
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107020
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28509

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