Stop Your Cat From Spraying

When you spot your cat stand by a door or any other object at home, lifts its tail then urinates then you know that it is spraying on the door or object. Perhaps if you are a neophyte in the cat world, you do not know what spraying means. When a cat is new to a place, it is bound to make that place its territory by spraying. It is not a cat's dilemma as not knowing its own litter box; rather, it sprays for marking a definite location. It is natural for them to spray and usually it is ordinarily done by cats outdoors. Yet, there are cat owners who complain about their cats spraying indoors. It could be troublesome for a home owner if a cat sprays inside the house. Do not worry too much as for every difficulty, there is a solution.

The reason why cats spray can either be one of the following: for marking a location, for calling a mate or for relieving stress.

A cat, just like other territorial type of animals, wants to mark its territory. In order to do this, it sprays a bit of urine on its territory. The smell of the cat's urine will alert other cats and animals to get off its property. It is natural for cats to spray on things, so extend a little understanding towards your cat.

Pheromones are a substance that animals utilize to communicate. This substance is released with the urine sprayed by cats in heat. This hormone is similar to fingerprints because animals use this to identify the kind of creature that sprayed in the location. Often, this hormone is released when cats are in heat. The pheromones tell the other cats that it is searching for a mate. Other cats in heat are attracted towards the scent of the urine due to of the pheromones. This serves as an open invitation to get engaged in procreation. Later, you will get kittens in the house.

Getting rid of stress is another reason why cats spray. It could be stressful for a cat to find another of its kind in its territory. When it catches a glimpse of another animal, it also sprays. The spraying of urine allows the cat to release some of the built-up stress generated by seeing another creature in its territory.

The scent of cat's urine can be odious. The problem is sometimes the cat sprays inside the house. The urine can stain furniture and leave foul odor. When your cat sprays, do something at once like shooing it away.

The most effective way to eradicate this spraying behavior is by neutering or spaying the cat. This applies to both male and female cats. The spraying activity will immediately stop after being neutered. Since a male cat will no longer mate after being neutered, it will get rid of its spraying. It is important to consider whether you do not want to breed your cat or otherwise because spaying or neutering is irreversible. Do not spay or neuter if you still wish to have kittens. Consider another option. It is best to ask for your vet's opinion regarding spraying if you do not want to sterilize your cat.

Find out how cats spray [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/what-to-do-when-your-cats-spray/] is affected when you neuter a cat [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/what-to-expect-when-you-neuter-a-cat/]. Check here for more information on cat marking [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/understanding-cat-marking/].

About the Author

Kitty Bee is the owner of two lovable cats.

Common Behaviors Of Cats And Their Meanings

How well do you understand your cat? Even if it were only days or decades, perhaps you have observed a cat's actions. The acts of your pet are different from other animals. Some people think it perplexing when they see their pet behaving in a strange way. You may have a dilemma in raising your pet if you fail to read your cat's action. It may be difficult to find out what your cat means when it acts differently but there are methods to uncover your kitty's mystery.

You probably have become aware of your cat pushing an object (e.g., cabinet, stool, table leg) or a person. Then it strokes its head against the individual or thing. You will most probably notice this action done on individuals with allergies to cats or to those who have other animals. The cat does this because it wants to mark the person or object as its possession by putting a hint of its spit on that person or thing. This kind of cat behavior can be irritating for others. In the cat's point of view, however, the individual or object stands as someone or something odd; thus, it exhibits this action to establish it as part of its property.

For the cat, it serves it well to perform this pushing and rubbing act. In this world, however, there are some with pet peeves and those allergic to cats. They will try to get rid of the saliva because it upsets them. If they are successful, they will rid themselves with the cat's scent. The feline will, however, repeat the same process if it cannot smell the scent that it left on the guest. This will really pose as a predicament for the individual with allergies or with pet peeves. As a cat owner, you have to explicate to the inconvenienced person why it does this behavior - that it is just a welcome greeting for the cat. What you should do is to talk to the guest and request him to permit your cat to do this behavior. Once the cat does its business, it will leave your guest alone eventually.

Hunting is almost a must for cats. Do not be shocked if your cat is peeking out the window, creating strange sounds and doing bizarre movements. It just has its hunting instinct acting out. If your cat sees a cat or some movement, it will readily be on its paws. Again, do not be shocked because it is normal for cats.

There are individuals who think it baffling why cats pounce at things. Pouncing is one of a cat's favorite activities. Pouncing is part of play for them. Do not stop your cat from doing this behavior unless you want to get some troubles. You and your cat may wind up with trouble breaking a lot of stuff in the house. If you like to manage how your cat plays, buy a toy that it can pounce on. A yarn or a string may even be adequate enough for it to play with. Your cat will surely enjoy your company as it runs after the yarn or string.

If you have detailed understanding of how your cat behaves, you will have lesser problems because you will be dealing with it the correct way. Go beyond feeding and providing litter to your cat. Know your cat a little more by knowing its behavior.

About the Author

Kitty Bee is the owner of two lovable cats.

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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 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!"

Understanding Your Cats Behavior by Julia Sage

People often fail when they try to train their cat. The main reason for this is failure to understand how your cat thinks. Cats and dogs do not think a like, yet many will use the same techniques for dog training with their cat.

Cats do not respond positively to yelling or physical punishment. This only causes your cat to think you are an unsafe person, and adds mistrust to your relationship. In fact, most cats, being of a stubborn and dominate nature will refuse to cower down, as a dog might when you raise your voice. Their naughty behavior may escalate, or cause your cat to become aggressive.

Cats respond to positive and negative consequences. Make sure though that the negative consequences are attached to the behavior and not to you. Reward positive behavior, no reward for negative behavior teaches your cat to behave better.

By nature, cats are creatures of habit. They respond much better when they are on a set schedule and their environment stays the same. Something as simple as moving the furniture or adding a new piece of furniture can send your cat into a frenzy.

Cats will spend a lot of time each day marking their environment with their friendly pheromones by rubbing their faces on things. This adds their scent throughout the house and helps them feel safe in their environment. Understand that when you move furniture or bring in a new piece of furniture, your cat has an instinctual need to remark his/her territory in order to feel safe again. This scent is not the same as when a male cat sprays to attract a female cat. They are simply putting their friendly scent on things so it is familiar to them once again.

A common reaction for adults when their cat begins to rub up against new furniture is to chase the little critter away and sometimes start yelling. Unless your cat is clawing at the furniture, they will not damage your furniture by rubbing against it.

If you are concerned that your cat will get your furniture dirty somehow, it is safe to bathe a cat once a month, sometimes more often if they go outside and get all muddy from the rain. Some people think bathing a cat will cause the cats to quit cleaning themselves. This generally happens when it is done in access. You may want to use a natural bath solution, so your cat is not ingesting chemicals when they lick themselves dry. Or you could use a dry bath if your cat turns into psycho kitty when they get wet. You can use baking soda for a dry bath. Just rub it into their coat, wait a few minutes, and then brush it off.

Understanding how your cat thinks, and their nature will help you have better results in attempting to train them. It will also help you bond more with your animal friend, and lead to a more fulfilled relationship for years to come.

About the Author

Cats are wonderful companions when we understand their nature and how to provide the care that they need. Learn how you can get your cat to be more affectionate and behave better by visiting:
http://healthycat.blogspot.com

Questions and Answers About Cat Health

Cats make wonderful pets, and can be a great addition to your family. If you are a cat owner, however, it is very important that you learn about the health of your feline friend and that you make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep your cat healthy. Cats need regular medical care, just like people do, and they can get sick just like people can. This means that you should learn how to take care of your cat and you should learn about the signs and symptoms of some common problems in order to be sure that you are giving your cat the very best care possible. To get you started on being a good cat owner, here are a few questions and answers about cat health.

1: Should I declaw my cat?
This is a question that new cat owners sometimes ask, especially as they see their cat tearing into the sides of furniture to have a good scratch. In general, this decision should not be taken lightly. Declaw is an amputation of the last segment of the toe, so there is some significant degree of discomfort associated with this procedure.
Most veterinarians will advise trying scratching posts and engaging in play with the kitty as much as possible to try to avoid scratching behavior and in turn avoid the procedure. In many cases, cats will not develop the itch to scratch furniture or other valuable surfaces when given an alternative, especially when presented at a young age.
If all fails and it comes down to declaw or the kitty must go, then be certain to find a veterinarian who is proactive and vigilant about peri-operative and post-operative pain management. Ideally if you can find a veterinarian who declaws by cutting laser, post-op recovery tends to be less traumatic and healing times are faster using such a device.

2. Should I allow my cat to be an indoor/outdoor cat?
While every family has to make this decision on their own, there are a number of risks associated with allowing your cat to be an outdoor cat. Diseases including FIV can be contracted through contact with infected animals and your cat may become the prey of coyotes or other animals that wish it harm. Keeping your cat in your home can be a far better choice to ensure your cat's safety.

3. Does my cat need vaccines?
Cats should be vaccinated against common and dangerous medical conditions including rabies, feline leukemia, herpes virus, calicivirus, and panleukomenia [herpes, calici, and panleukopenia typically come bundled in one vaccine]. A commercial FIV [feline immunodeficiency virus] is commercially available, but it has overwhelmingly been rejected by the veterinary community as ineffective. Vaccine protocols and vaccines chould only be taylored and administered by a licensed veterinarian.

4. Why is my cat coughing up hairballs?
Your cat licks himself or herself as part of his/her grooming routine. In some cases, this can lead to your cat coughing up hairballs or to your cat vomiting up hairballs. You can help to resolve this problem in some cases by having your cat regularly brushed (especially if your cat's fur is becoming matted or knotted) and by feeding your cat food that is designed to help with hairballs.

5. Why is my cat spraying urine?
Cats spray urine in order to mark their territory. While this behavior is normal- especially in multi-cat households, it is not to be encouraged. Try to minimize or eliminate the stress in your cat's environment and be sure to clean up all marking sprays thoroughly to avoid future spraying. Do not use ammonia-based products when cleaning up urine, as the ammonia can have a smell similar to urine and cause your cat to mark again.

Speaking to a Vet
These are just a few of the common cat health questions that cat owners may have. The best way to get your questions answered is to speak with a licensed veterinarian, either online or in person, for information about caring for your cat properly and meeting your cat's health needs.

Know more about cat health problems and online dog health questions at Web-DVM.Net.

Questions and Answers About Cat Health by Roger Welton