By : Sara Williams
By: Sara Williams
Cat spraying urine in the house is one of the most annoying and frustrating cat behavior problem. Constant urine smell is pretty hard to tolerate and sadly but not surprisingly, some cats will have to take a one way trip to the shelter.
However, as with most cat behavior problems, there is a reason as to why the cat sprays. Identifying the cause can greatly help you in finding the right solution to stop this annoying habit.
Why do they spray?
Spraying should not be confused with inappropriate urination since it is an intentional act.
In entire cats, urine spraying is part of a normal and natural behavior. It is a way to convey territorial and sexual messages to other cats. Not only tomcats spray, queens in heat will spray too to let others know they are ready to mate.
In neutered cats, the most common reasons for urine marking is competition and territorial disputes between cats in multi-cat households, moving to a new house, arrival of a new baby or another pet and situations where the cat feels unsafe and insecure so it may feel the need to 'reinforce' its 'territory'.
How to stop them spraying
Firstly, your cat should have a health check to make sure there is no underlying medical condition causing its behavior. It is possible the cat has cystitis or some other elimination problem.
Since urine spraying in entire cats is primarily a sexual behavior, neutering can help to control this behavior in most cases. In addition, it will also reduce territoriality and aggression between cats. Yet, it is not necessarily a cure-all and don't expect your cat will stop spraying right away - it may take two to three months.
Clean soiled areas thoroughly. You can purchase cleaners and odor neutralizers at your local pet store or simply use diluted vinegar. Stay away from products containing ammonia - they could stimulate the marking behavior as urine also contains ammonia.
If you own more cats, you will need to provide each cat with one litter box and you should have one extra box for the house. Cats don't like dirty boxes!
Try to identify the reason why your cat sprays. If for example a new person has moved into the house, have him or her feed your cat to establish a bond between them.
If your cat is anxious then try to reduce the stress levels by playing with it in areas where it tends to spray.
If your cat is spraying in one room only, keep the door locked. If it is spraying only in one or two locations and you cannot keep the cat out, make it to a feeding and playing area. Most cats are very clean animals and will not urinate near their food.
Use Feliway spray or diffuser (a synthetic equivalent of feline facial pheromones) in all areas where your cat marks. Feliway makes the cat feel comfortable and safe and decreases its instinctive urges.
If you have more cats and they don't get along, you should initially separate them to see if spraying continues. Then you could gradually reintroduce them in situations that create positive associations such as playing and feeding in combination with calming effect of Feliway.
You should never punish your cat by dragging it to its litter box, rubbing its nose in litter or smacking it. In fact, you will make the matters much worse. Your cat will then associate punishment with you and the litter box; it may become anxious and start to spray even more.
If nothing works then ask your vet for advice or referral to a cat behaviorist. In severe cases, where all cat behavior training and modification techniques fail your vet can prescribe appropriate medication (usually anti-anxiety drugs).
Article Source: http://articles411.com
Sarah is a vet with special interest in cats. She owns Cat Behavior Site where people can find practical tips & advice on cat training
Living With 3 Cats And Loving It!
By Diane Hood
I proudly admit that I am currently owned by 3 felines; my pet cats are the loves of my life.
Their names are Red, Hazel and Jada and they each have totally unique appearances and personalities. I never intended to be the owner of a 3-cat feline family, that's just how things worked out and I don't regret it for a minute. I love my cats unconditionally and will care for them until they or I pass on into the next world.
To repeat, it wasn't my intent to own multiple pets. At least I don't think so. It evolved naturally enough with my being able to to offer assistance to a friend who owned a feline rescue shelter and my propensity to become attached to any animal in my care. Some of these animals had been abused, abandoned or just given back to the shelter once their adoptive owners realized that cats and kittens aside from being cute, need care, patience and training. We soon realized that we were rescuing and taking back more animals than we were placing. Unfortunately, this is a problem that many privately owned and operated animal rescue shelters face and they usually operate as non-profits.
Once I bonded with a cat, especially a kitten, it was hard for me to give it up; so I had to limit myself to assisting with the cleaning and general maintenance of the shelter and to only provide my home for the boarding of felines when absolutely necessary. I would aIso like to point that I was only able to work at my friends' shelter because it is a "no-kill" shelter and no animal is ever put down unless it is recommended by the vet to put an end to the animal's misery, pain and suffering.
The importance of spaying and neutering pets becomes very clear once one has worked in this type of environment. So much pain and suffering on the part of these innocent animals could be avoided if we humans would only act responsibly in caring for our animal friends by controlling their population. We have selfish, irresponsible humans calling the shelter daily asking us to take in kittens they can no longer keep, but show no interest whatsoever in our discount spay and neuter services. Nor do they offer to make a donation to the shelter. What is really frightening is that these same selfish, immature individuals are also parents.
I feel that it is alright for me to have 3 pet cats because I am a responsible cat owner. My pets are all spayed and neutered, are taken to the vet, vaccinated and examined as required. I have voluntarily devoted my time, my home and my love to these creatures and I vow to do all that I can to see that their lives are as full, healthy and happy as I can possible make them. Were I able to afford it, I would purchase some real estate in a rural location and open my own shelter. It's definitely at the top of my list of things to do after I win the Powerball lottery (hey, ya just never know...).
Anyway, please spay and neuter your pet if you cannot guarantee homes for their offspring.
My pet cats and I thank you for reading.
About the author:
My main interests are pets and animal rights, bloggng and internet marketing.
http://petcats-felinefamilycareandhumor.blogspot.com
http://thehealthypet.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
I proudly admit that I am currently owned by 3 felines; my pet cats are the loves of my life.
Their names are Red, Hazel and Jada and they each have totally unique appearances and personalities. I never intended to be the owner of a 3-cat feline family, that's just how things worked out and I don't regret it for a minute. I love my cats unconditionally and will care for them until they or I pass on into the next world.
To repeat, it wasn't my intent to own multiple pets. At least I don't think so. It evolved naturally enough with my being able to to offer assistance to a friend who owned a feline rescue shelter and my propensity to become attached to any animal in my care. Some of these animals had been abused, abandoned or just given back to the shelter once their adoptive owners realized that cats and kittens aside from being cute, need care, patience and training. We soon realized that we were rescuing and taking back more animals than we were placing. Unfortunately, this is a problem that many privately owned and operated animal rescue shelters face and they usually operate as non-profits.
Once I bonded with a cat, especially a kitten, it was hard for me to give it up; so I had to limit myself to assisting with the cleaning and general maintenance of the shelter and to only provide my home for the boarding of felines when absolutely necessary. I would aIso like to point that I was only able to work at my friends' shelter because it is a "no-kill" shelter and no animal is ever put down unless it is recommended by the vet to put an end to the animal's misery, pain and suffering.
The importance of spaying and neutering pets becomes very clear once one has worked in this type of environment. So much pain and suffering on the part of these innocent animals could be avoided if we humans would only act responsibly in caring for our animal friends by controlling their population. We have selfish, irresponsible humans calling the shelter daily asking us to take in kittens they can no longer keep, but show no interest whatsoever in our discount spay and neuter services. Nor do they offer to make a donation to the shelter. What is really frightening is that these same selfish, immature individuals are also parents.
I feel that it is alright for me to have 3 pet cats because I am a responsible cat owner. My pets are all spayed and neutered, are taken to the vet, vaccinated and examined as required. I have voluntarily devoted my time, my home and my love to these creatures and I vow to do all that I can to see that their lives are as full, healthy and happy as I can possible make them. Were I able to afford it, I would purchase some real estate in a rural location and open my own shelter. It's definitely at the top of my list of things to do after I win the Powerball lottery (hey, ya just never know...).
Anyway, please spay and neuter your pet if you cannot guarantee homes for their offspring.
My pet cats and I thank you for reading.
About the author:
My main interests are pets and animal rights, bloggng and internet marketing.
http://petcats-felinefamilycareandhumor.blogspot.com
http://thehealthypet.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cat scratch fever (Monroe County Clarion)
By Joe Leicht
The debate over the best non-human housemate-dog or cat-seems never ending.
Truth be told, the canines have probably had the better of the public-relations battle. Where in feline lore is there a counterpart to Old Yeller, Clifford, Buck, Krypto, Snoopy, or Scooby-Doo?
But that doesn't mean a thing to the Woehlke family of Columbia and the other cat lovers and their swishy-tailed companions who came to the Humane Society of Monroe County's first-ever Feline Frenzy at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia's fellowship hall Feb. 24.Mona, a 3-year-old domestic short hair, is the "lazy cat" of the Woehlke household in Columbia.
"So lazy she lies down to eat," Jennifer Woehlke said of her daughter Madison's cat.
Then again, Madison's sister Faith's 3-year-old Maine coon cat Lilo claims she is "queen of the house."
"Forget water bowls," Lilo, as translated by Jennifer, said. "Those are for the dogs. I sit patiently on the sink and wait for the trickling of the faucet. There is no ignoring me. I will get what I want."
Still, the judges were most impressed with Buggatti, a 6-month-old Siamese/ragdoll mix who is the third cat in the Woehlke clan.
Buggatti, adopted by the HSMC, "likes to get into as much trouble as possible," including dives into the washer from which he emerges sopping wet.
Buggatti gained first place in the Feline Frenzy cat show.
The kitties were "judged" by short narratives written by their owners describing them, their backgrounds and their antics.
Breezy, owned by Haley Jackson, is loathe to put her face into her water dish to drink, preferring to dip her paws into the dish. Breezy was the 2nd place cat in the show.
Janice Matthews' 4-year-old cat Gabby, as her name suggests, "likes to talk a lot." Her downside? Gabby also "loves to bite."
Ike is Erin Pozniak's first cat ever and is "no ordinary cat. He will let you hold him all day long" and "does not mind water at all. He will jump in a sink or bathtub when you are using it."
Red wandered into Celeste Knierim's backyard when she was living is South St. Louis and she cemented their friendship by feeding him.
"It took me six months to just touch him on the back and then he would run from me," Knierim said. Red, apparently abused by a previous owner, walks with a limp.
The free meals, a cat door Knierim installed in her basement and the open invitation of affection eventually won the former Tails Magazine Pet of the Month over.
"Now Red is a house cat and follows me everywhere and sits on my right side when I am on the couch," Knierim said. "When I have my laptop, he will reach up and put his paw on the mouse."
Marjorie Sue Phillips, a HSMC volunteer, owns a Schnauzer but helps care for three rescued cats.
"I kept getting asked by the cat lovers 'when are you going to have something for cats?'" Phillips said, referring to the HSMC's annual Me & My Mutt Dog Walk in Columbia and Jingle Bell Dog Walk in Waterloo.
"Cat owners know cats are independent, so training a cat is different than a dog," she said. "Dogs seek attention. Cats decide when they want it. Both cat and dog owners are usually caring, sensitive people and will treat their animals as a member of the family.
"The advantage to cats is that they are more self-entertaining and self-sufficient."
The debate over the best non-human housemate-dog or cat-seems never ending.
Truth be told, the canines have probably had the better of the public-relations battle. Where in feline lore is there a counterpart to Old Yeller, Clifford, Buck, Krypto, Snoopy, or Scooby-Doo?
But that doesn't mean a thing to the Woehlke family of Columbia and the other cat lovers and their swishy-tailed companions who came to the Humane Society of Monroe County's first-ever Feline Frenzy at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia's fellowship hall Feb. 24.Mona, a 3-year-old domestic short hair, is the "lazy cat" of the Woehlke household in Columbia.
"So lazy she lies down to eat," Jennifer Woehlke said of her daughter Madison's cat.
Then again, Madison's sister Faith's 3-year-old Maine coon cat Lilo claims she is "queen of the house."
"Forget water bowls," Lilo, as translated by Jennifer, said. "Those are for the dogs. I sit patiently on the sink and wait for the trickling of the faucet. There is no ignoring me. I will get what I want."
Still, the judges were most impressed with Buggatti, a 6-month-old Siamese/ragdoll mix who is the third cat in the Woehlke clan.
Buggatti, adopted by the HSMC, "likes to get into as much trouble as possible," including dives into the washer from which he emerges sopping wet.
Buggatti gained first place in the Feline Frenzy cat show.
The kitties were "judged" by short narratives written by their owners describing them, their backgrounds and their antics.
Breezy, owned by Haley Jackson, is loathe to put her face into her water dish to drink, preferring to dip her paws into the dish. Breezy was the 2nd place cat in the show.
Janice Matthews' 4-year-old cat Gabby, as her name suggests, "likes to talk a lot." Her downside? Gabby also "loves to bite."
Ike is Erin Pozniak's first cat ever and is "no ordinary cat. He will let you hold him all day long" and "does not mind water at all. He will jump in a sink or bathtub when you are using it."
Red wandered into Celeste Knierim's backyard when she was living is South St. Louis and she cemented their friendship by feeding him.
"It took me six months to just touch him on the back and then he would run from me," Knierim said. Red, apparently abused by a previous owner, walks with a limp.
The free meals, a cat door Knierim installed in her basement and the open invitation of affection eventually won the former Tails Magazine Pet of the Month over.
"Now Red is a house cat and follows me everywhere and sits on my right side when I am on the couch," Knierim said. "When I have my laptop, he will reach up and put his paw on the mouse."
Marjorie Sue Phillips, a HSMC volunteer, owns a Schnauzer but helps care for three rescued cats.
"I kept getting asked by the cat lovers 'when are you going to have something for cats?'" Phillips said, referring to the HSMC's annual Me & My Mutt Dog Walk in Columbia and Jingle Bell Dog Walk in Waterloo.
"Cat owners know cats are independent, so training a cat is different than a dog," she said. "Dogs seek attention. Cats decide when they want it. Both cat and dog owners are usually caring, sensitive people and will treat their animals as a member of the family.
"The advantage to cats is that they are more self-entertaining and self-sufficient."