Cat Spraying Issues And Solutions

Cat spraying is a large problem if it happens indoors due to cat urine smell and stains. Your pet can urinate in different areas of your home. Unfortunately, it truly is the main primal instinct of a cat. Cats that live with other cats are more inclined to spray than those who reside in single-feline homes.

What is cat spraying?
It is when your cat sprays small quantities of urine to announce his presence. It could possibly be peeing directly beyond your litter box or in various places within the home.

Reasons why a cat would spray
There are numerous reasons why a cat would spray. Peeing directly outside the box can often mean a dislike for their litter, the position, location of the box or a dirty box.

Marking their territory is really a natural thing for cats to do. Marking can occur as a result of other cats nearby, either outdoors or among cats that live within the same household. Cats will also mark their territory whenever they feel threatened or anxious. This can happen with a change in household routine, living arrangements, moving to a new home, and other environmental and social changes. Cats in multi cat households may find it difficult to overcome spraying issues.

Cat may spray when they feel endangered or threatened. Harsh discipline or yelling will not likely help the situation. This will likely frighten you cat and then make the situation worst.

Female cat spraying may begin as an instinctive behavior when indoors. Female cats in most cases spray while in heat. They utilize the pheromones which are expelled to pull in male cats. Neutered male cats may spray when they're angry or displeased about something. Also if the feline is in heat she will be attracted by the scent of cat urine.

Solutions
Cat behavior problems such as your cat urinating outside of the litter box can be very challenging to handle. Main complaints from feline owners are that their pets are going beyond the kitty litter box, spraying and scratching furniture. Male cats that are neutered before they become sexually mature may never develop this annoying and frustrating problem behavior in the first place. If you don't neuter until sexual maturity, spraying might be a habit tough to break. Neutering males that are already sexually mature stops the behavior about 80% of times. As stated, female cats are certainly drawn to cat spray smell when they're in heat.

Although castration is generally pushed as the best approach to stop this behavior, it's not a 100% solution and won't prevent spraying from developing down the road. Rather than try to alter a cat's behavior to quit spraying, try to prevent the situations where spraying might occur. If you do start to realize that your house, or a specific room, is beginning to smell of cat urine it can be difficult to find the areas that have been sprayed, especially if the damage started weeks ago and you are now only becoming acutely aware of the problem. The amount of areas sprayed differs between cats limiting spraying to one place, for instance behind the TV while others spray in multiple sites around the house. If you can smell the problem but aren't able to find it, get a black light. A great one is Nature's Secret Weapon Cat Urine Detector to reveal odor locations.

The method that you approach removing cat urine and odor will be based upon where the cat made the mess, when it was done and the kind of surface it was left on. Meds OMG Pet Urine and Odor Eliminator is great for carpets, floors and upholstery. Not using the litter is amongst the most predominant problem. If the problem persists, it could be a serious condition. Take your pet to the veterinarian. They will decide if medications and therapy are needed.

About the Author

If you would like more information about cat spraying [http://coolcatsguide.com/cat-spraying-2/] and other cat related issues, please visit Cool Cats Guide. Jewell Davis is an avid cat lover and a proud owner of a senior cat.

What are Your Leading Cat Health Questions?

Cats don't seem to be as healthy as I remember them to be when I was a child, many moons ago.

Now they seem to be prone to any and every disease under the sun, with exotic breeds succumbing the most.

Whether your cat health questions are infertility, upper respiratory issues, "inevitable" ageing diseases, renal problems, fleas, dead babies, or anything else it all comes down to the fact that domestic cats don't have the healthy immune systems they once did.

You think you're doing all the right things by taking her to the vet regularly and doing as they suggest, whether it's vaccinating or feeding the cat food they supply.

But still your cat's health is failing.

Why is this so?

I think there are several reasons for this, but there is one outstanding reason which you can address without much knowledge.

And that's diet.

Food is consumed daily. Which makes it the number one area of importance.

If you are feeding your cat a commercial brand of cat food, her health will be deteriorating.

Why?

Cats evolved over many tens of thousands of years on a diet of fresh kills, which means fresh, raw meat. Their domesticity is comparatively recent, and commercial pet food only came into being about the middle of the 20th century.

So, think of your most pressing cat health questions and then look at the food you are feeding her? Is the food in accordance with how wild cats eat? If not, then maybe you need to think about a change.

I never expect people to believe me any more than I expect them to believe anyone. But I always try to put forward logical and reasonable arguments to support my way of thinking.

In the 1930's Dr Pottenger carried out some experiments on cats. He discovered that the offspring of cats who were only fed cooked food were born with immune deficiencies.

He also discovered that within three generations, the immune system would be virtually useless unless some raw food had been eaten.

I suggest to you that no matter what your cat health questions are, the answer is always the same.

Raw meat and bones, just as wild cats eat.

Wild cats are very healthy (they have to be to survive), have few fleas and worms and don't suffer the chronic, degenerative diseases that so afflict our domestic cats.

However, there is an enormous industry at the heart of cat health. Veterinarians and drug companies make enormous sums of money treating ailing cats. Many would go out of business if you decided to answer your own cat health questions by solid research.

But I'm encouraging you to do just that.

About the Author

Madeleine Innocent is a practicing homeopath, a specialised modality of natural health care. She treats both people and animals in her busy West Australian practice. Madeleine loves to spread the good work of homeopathy and other areas of natural health care and writes extensively on the subject.

For a complimentary ebook on how to have a healthy cat, starting today, visithttp://www.naturallyhealthycats.com or http://www.bestcathealth.blogspot.com

RESCUE STORY: Goodyear!

Goodyear's owner Sarah Y. explains how she came to find him: "I adopted him after he was found as a stray kitten and he turns two on the 20th! He is a little bit of a psycho but he is also the biggest sweetheart. I wouldn't trade him for anything." Aren't all cats a little bit psycho?! ;) Congrats Goodyear!

What Constitutes Bad Cat Behavior?

It is interesting that you can hear one person talk about the bad cat behavior that they are dealing with while someone else assumes this is perfectly normal behavior because they deal with it every day. Although some behaviors may be up for debate whether they are really bad or not, there are some things that cats do that can make anyone's ears turn a little red.

Please do NOT Lift the Leg!

You know you are doomed when you see that leg go up! Cat spraying is one of the worst behaviors to have to deal with. Urine stains found on walls and furniture at about nose-level are signs that your cat is marking his territory, frustrated, stressed or letting others know his status in the home.

If your cat sprays, figure out the reason and address it immediately or else it will turn into a serious problem. Once it's done a few times, it turns into a behavioral trait which is harder to change. Scrub, scrub, scrub and neutralize!

Scratching

Little Lovebug doesn't seem to quite fit her name when you come home to shredded curtains, furniture and window screens now does it? Cats need to scratch so if you are not providing something to use, they will find something themselves; plain and simple. You may be interested to learn that just like a dog; you can trim or file your cat's claws if you are very careful. Ask your vet to show you how or take your cat for a manicure. Maybe she needs a little pampering! Of course, a new scratching post won't hurt either!

Put that Tongue Away!

While a little lick here and there may seem sweet and innocent, some cats will start licking a lot. Not only can their rough tongue irritate your skin, it can damage wood surfaces. Also, it should be noted that cats that lick more than normal are more prone to bite when irritated as well.

If there is a spot on the wood arm of your chair or the coffee table that your cat consistently revisits to lick, spray a little lemon juice on it and it won't seem so appealing anymore; just the mere smell will often keep them away.

Stealth Attack

There is a huge difference between pouncing because the cat wants to play and you have a toy compared to the cat that stalks your feet, jumps at your ankles as you walk by and might even bite or scratch. While you may think that this is normal behavior because cats have a strong prey instinct, it's not! This is actually most commonly seen in single-cat homes, especially those that are left alone a lot. Yes, cats are independent but they still want companionship. If you are gone all day, come home and leave to go to dinner, run errands, etc., and don't spend time with your cat, consider getting a second one. Really, how much room do they take up anyway?

Biting

No amount of cat biting is cute! Cats bite hard, even when they are just giving you a warning nibble and these types of bites are prone to infection. Cats will bite for many different reasons; frustration, redirected aggression, pain or illnesses are all common causes. Sometimes, they bite because they just don't want to be petted anymore! Watch for subtle signals like twitching ears or tail or a stiff body and you can avoid feeling the pain of this bad cat behavior.

About the Author

Sonia Manning provides interesting information and helpful tips about cats and their behaviors. For more help on problem cat behaviors, go to http://www.catbehaviorsolutions.com/cats-problem-behavior.html.

Visit her website at http://www.catbehaviorsolutions.com for more topics, and solutions for problem cat behaviors. You can also receive free an 8-day Email Mini-Course on "Secrets About Your Cat's Behavior: Why He Does the Things He Does!"

CAT OF THE MONTH: LINCOLN!

Congratulations to Olivia S. and her cat Lincoln, who she describes as "the strangest cat I've ever met." Strange indeed! Seems only fitting for the month notorious for April Fool's Day that we pick this goofball. Way to go, Lincoln! Keep bein' weird!

Tips on Training Cats for Harness

Cats [http://www.cat-health-tips.com], like children, have to be harness trained with persistence and concern. Hard treatment and physical stress can only induce fear in cats.

Starting at age six months, a cat can start to undergo the training. Confine the cat in order to diminish its need to wander. It is very vital that the right harness is purchased and used since a cat can easily struggle and free itself from the leash if a puny one is used. The harness should be of sturdy yet of comfortable quality, one that is specially made for cats.

The H shaped harness made of nylon material which is light, although it has buckles for the neck and the catís tummy, is a sure buy. Make sure that there is a metal ring for the catís I.D., which is located near the backside of the cat. The cat size can be measured by using a tape measure for the neck and tummy.

The harness can be placed a little firmer after about five days. It can then be adjusted to a two-inch width off the neck and the catís tummy. Leave the harness on for five to ten minutes each day and do this for two weeks. Keep in mind that cats are more jumpy than dogs so they really need more care and guarantee of a no hard treatment.

Use a walking collar with an L shaped fabric that hugs the catís body. Choose a jacket that is breathable and provides enough aeration for the catís comfort. A 5/8-inch wide nylon harness that has three buckles is used for effortless fitting and strapping. Its collar should be one that can be adjusted from 9-12 inches to prevent suffocation.

Have the cat wear the leash while wandering inside the household for twenty to thirty minutes a day for a week. However, never let the cat out of sight as they may be prone to getting snarled in chairs, tables, etc, and this would frighten him. Once the cat has gotten used to moving around with the harness on, then it can be held on to and the cat is ready for a walk in the park. Felines will eventually realize that there are corresponding limitations attached to being leashed. Position the strap with the ID tag and leash where the cat can snuffle, touch and have fun with it.

Being consistent and patient with the routine is the best key to accomplishment. Cats love routine and habits, following a sequence can make them expect what is next, thus, preventing any straying and disagreement. Once the cat is used to the harness, heíll never even notice its there at all in the future.

About the Author

Anita hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com

Top 8 Must Haves For The New Kitten In The House by Heidi Marie

Bringing home a new kitten is exciting. Be sure that you prepare your home with the essentials before picking up your new arrival. Here are the top 8 must haves.

1) Bed

Kittens are happy just about with anything soft and cushy. You can get a fancy bed, but even a soft pillow in a box will suffice. Small beds aren't that much, but make sure it's one that you can wash if you do choose to buy one.

2) Food & Water Dishes

If you only have one kitten at home a couple small, shallow bowls will work fine. Be sure the water bowl is sturdy enough that it won't tip over. Clean them regularly. Water bowls tend to start building up residue around the sides. Make sure they have fresh water to drink at all times.

3) Brush and Comb

For a long haired kitten you can use a long toothed metal comb and a brush. They should be brushed at least once a day to help keep their fur free of mats. For short haired kittens a bristle brush will work. You don't have to brush them as often, but it's good to keep brushed regularly. Be sure to start this while they are young so they get used to it.

4) Carrier

A carrier is important to have right away since you will be taking your new kitten in to the vet for check ups and shots. Any kind is fine as long as it is ventalated and large enough for them to move around. Throw something soft in it for them to lay down in. Don't let your kitten loose in the car because they can climb all over the place, under your feet, around your neck, or even up on the dashboard which is unsafe.

5) Litter Box, Litter, Scooper & Mat

The litter box needs to be kept clean and fresh litter should be added regularly. A mat or piece of carpet placed outside the box is recommended to catch the loose litter they may have in their paws while exiting their box. If you have dogs keep the litter box out of their reach since some dogs will eat the kittens fecies.

6) Collar with Name Tag

Even if your kitten is strictly indoors it is still good to have a collar with their name and your phone number on a tag. You never know when it might sneak out the door and get outside. Get them used to wearing one while they are young.

7) Scratching Post

A kitten uses the scratching post more for exercise than it does to sharpen it's claws. They like to stretch out while clawing down their post so make sure that it is tall enough for them to do so. They come in all shapes and sizes. You can get one that they can climb up or one that is simply a post with carpet or rope wrapped around it.

8) Toys

Toys are a must as kittens as they love to play. Just be sure they are strong toys and can't be torn apart or swallowed. Kittens love mice, catnip, boxes to climb in, balls, etc. A ball or a soft mouse hanging from a string off a door is always a favorite.

About the Author

Did you know you can train your cat? To read step-by-step information on how to train your cat in a huge variety of other obedience tricks and commands, check out the Complete Cat Training book. It is full of great how-to's and includes a huge amount of detailed information on solving problem behaviors, cat psychology, and how to develop a more rewarding relationship with your cat. Visit http://CatTraining.infomyworld.com

When Cats Play Nasty: Protect Your Garden

Wouldn't life be more splendid if your cat will stop creating havoc in your garden? First step is to fix your fence at once. The gaps in your fences gives your cats the chance to enter it. Your cat is also lithe and agile so it can jump over fences. Mounting a taut wire on top of your fence is practical since this will stop them from jumping over.

In case your cat slipped through your garden, making it move out may be hard. But do not give up. There are still ways to make it move out of your garden. Since you are a cat owner, you must know that cats dislike dogs. Dobermans and pit bulls are indeed some of the dog breeds that can truly scare away cats.

Dogs are great but if you don't have them, you can try another method: squirting water on the cat. What you need for this method is a bucket of water or a water hose. If one squirt of water is not enough, do it again and again until it takes the hint. Aside from a pail and a garden hose, you may utilize a sprinkler. If you plan to purchase a sprinkler, look for a motion activated one from your local hardware store. This type of sprinkler can immediately perceive if there is someone or something in your lawn. The sprinkler will be able to target your cat, squirt water at it and drive it away. When the cat is hit with water a couple of times, it will recognize that the garden is not the place for it.

Your cat may also try to harm your plants. Your plants may be utilized by your cat as its litter box. Putting moth balls around the area may help keep your cat away from your plants. Moth balls are quite successful as the scent of it drives away not only cats but other pests as well. Things with strong odor such as moth balls, cayenne, citronella, lavender, and lemon grass are irritating for cats. Theodor of tobacco is also effective in driving out cats.

To frighten away cats off your lawn, you could try using ultrasonic devices. Humans do not hear the high frequency sounds that these devices are producing; however, cats are sensitive to these sounds and they get irritated by them. This kind of cat repellent has varieties such as the cordless type, the one with infrared motion sensor and the like. You have to take into consideration the size of your garden when buying ultrasonic devices. Make sure that it can cover your entire garden to guard your plants from cats.

Another method to use is commercial repellents. These repellents have a scent that cats hate. They are even effective to drive away other animals. In using this method, always exercise caution because commercial repellents may have chemicals that are damaging to one's health. If your garden contains vegetable crops, it is wise to refrain from using commercial repellents.

To prevent your cat from ruining your garden, select from one of the following: Fences, water, sprinklers, dogs, ultrasonic devices and commercial repellents. Cats and gardens do not mix well together especially if the cats near you are destructive. Let your cat know that you are the one in charge.

Train your kitty how to walk with a cat leash [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/using-a-cat-leash/]. For problems on cats urinating [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/dealing-with-cats-urinating-inappropriately/] inappropriately, check out toilet training a cat [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/challenges-and-benefits-of-toilet-training-a-cat/].

About the Author

Kitty Bee is the owner of two adorable cats.

Cat Health Dangers When Vaccinated by Mike Selvon

Cat health is important. When we have a new pet in the house, most of us know that a full set of vaccinations is the first need for a new kitten. We ourselves receive many vaccinations as children against many diseases and illnesses.

However, some veterinarians are beginning to take a stand against the rate at which we vaccinate dog and cat species and consider vaccines dangerous to the animal's health.

In the past, felines were vaccinated against distemper and rabies. Slowly, more vaccines for cat health have been added to the list. Individuals are often afraid that if their pet doesn't receive its vaccinations, it may contract a fatal disease.

Some feline diseases can be transmitted to humans. However, it's interesting to note that the rate of disease in cats has increased over time regardless of these vaccinations. Many veterinarians are noting that our pets aren't as healthy as in times past and that the cats' lifespan is shorter.

Today, many veterinarians skilled in cat health suggest shots for distemper in felines, Chlamydia, and one to prevent an upper respiratory infection known as rhinotracheitis, to name but a few. All of these vaccines are repeated year after year for the lifespan of your cat. Are our cats getting too much of what we believe to be a good thing? Think about it.

Would you want to be vaccinated for chicken pox every year of your life? One would think there would be some adverse effects from too much vaccination. Reports show that most of the illnesses that veterinarians deal with on a daily basis have roots in over-vaccination. Homeopathy has a term for this: Vaccinosis.

In Celeste Yarnall's book Cat Care, Naturally, Dr. Jeff Levy, DVM explains the evolution of new diseases that stem from vaccinosis: "I believe that feline leukemia evolved because of vaccination for panleukopenia. Then with the vaccination for feline leukemia, the cat just came up with a different disease, FIV (Feline AIDS).

You can see this in vaccinated cats that later turn up with all the symptoms of feline leukemia but still test negative. The disease is coming from the cat, and each subsequent incarnation that is necessitated by vaccination."

Allopathic medicine and the greed of the pharmaceutical industry are as harmful to our pets as it is to us. The same companies who are selling the vaccines fund the schools that are training new veterinarians. Only a handful of veterinarians are brave enough to dare to step outside those boundaries and practice holistic medicine on animals.

Over the years, humans have suffered as well from over-vaccination. Leukemia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and many other diseases are a result of the negative effects of vaccination.

Yarnell also quotes studies of the smallpox vaccine in humans as having been harmful. She claims, "Smallpox (along with other infectious diseases, including diphtheria and scarlet fever) declined with sanitation reforms instituted in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Government health records from all over the world showed that, during the most intensive periods of vaccination, the incidence and death rate attributed to smallpox increased, though these statistics were actually on the decline when vaccination began."

So what are we as pet owners supposed to do? Rely on your veterinarian's advice regarding cat health because veterinarians are the professionals and should know what they're doing. If your cat is an indoor cat, then you may be safe in only getting the initial shots when your cat is a kitten.

If your cat is an outdoor cat and encounters other cats often, then you might consider a little more protection. Alternatively, you could find a veterinarian who practices holistic medicine and find out what alternatives are available to help your cat live a healthier and longer life.

About the Author

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our cats portal for more great tips on cat health dangers when vaccinated, and leave a comment at our cats [http://www.mynicheportal.com/pets-animals/] blog.