A Few Tips Concerning Cat Spraying
By HollywoodPet.net |
Thu, 28 Dec 2006
Cat spraying is a natural behavior that is more common among non-neutered male cats. It is the natural way that cats mark their territory. Unwanted spraying, especially in your home can often times be curbed. A few tips may help.
Cats spray their urine in the wild as a way of marking territory. This is of course unacceptable in your home. A few tips to stop this behavior can help. More cats are given to shelters because of this behavioral problem than any other. Take a few steps to try and prevent it first.
Neutering.
Male cats spray. Neuter your male cat as early as possible that your veterinarian will allow. This is the number one way to stop the spraying behavior.
Keep areas clean.
An enzyme cleaner can rid your home of any lingering odors. Cats will return to a sprayed area to repeat the spraying behavior. Breaking the cycle is important and using an enzyme cleaner will break down the proteins that cause odor. Orange and lemon peels will deter a cat from returning too. Rubbing a little of the citrus oil can break the spraying cycle. Keeping everything clean is important.
Limit interactions.
Male cats will spray in the home sometimes if they spot another cat outside. Limit the view your cat has to the outside. Closing curtains or moving furniture where your cat might perch can help. Also, a home with more than one cat can ellicit spraying behavior if the cats feel they are competing with each other. This is something else to be considered.
Develop routines.
Changing homes, changing the litterbox location, or introducing a new pet into your home can all cause spraying as a response. Keep the litterbox and feeding areas in the same place at all times.
Set aside time for your cats.
Set aside some playtime every day for your cats. Giving attention can prevent jealousy of other cats or feeling like they are not getting enough attention. Both of these responses can trigger spraying. If you have more than one cat, consider keeping them seperate at least part of the day.
When cats start spraying it is usually a way of marking territory. Lack of attention, jealousy, or disrupted routines can all trigger the behavior. If your cat develops this habit, consider seeing a veterinarian. This behavior can be brought on by physical problems too like infection or disease. If your cat is urinating instead of spraying, contact your veterinarian for a checkup.
