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.

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