Cat Spraying: What You Need To Know
Forty percent of all house soiling complaints consist of 'cat spraying', when one's cat stands next to an object and sprays an unpleasant odor. Cat spraying is one way cats mark their territory. Usually the cat is an un-neutered male (tom), but some females also spray when they are in heat.
Kitties always have a reason for spraying. When they're feeling stressed, after having a fight with the cat next door, setting up their territory, or come across another cat in heat are all occasions which can bring on their spraying behavior. Cats generally prefer to be alone, and they want to make sure no other cats try to take their space. Usually this is outside behavior. Still, if your cat is having a conflict with another cat in your home, he could spray inside, too.
A foul smelling odor, something like ammonia, is released when a cat sprays an object. This smell encourages the cat to spray again, therefore it is important to remove it as quickly as possible. Do not use cleansers that contain ammonia, since it smells like the spray. The object must be cleaned with an enzymatic cleanser that is designed to remove odors.
So, how does one prevent this annoying habit? Can it be prevented from happening in the first place?Neutering a tom will significantly reduce the occurrence of cat spraying. Identifying conflicts within the home with the help of a cat whisperer, or someone attuned to cat psychology, can help resolve or minimize the problem. If a cat is spraying in one location, you can arrange furniture or objects around to make them less appealing to spray. Outside the home, you made need to keep your cat inside until conflicts are resolved with neighborhood cats.
Don't ever try to punish your cat by bringing him into the area and hitting him. This will lead your cat to be fearful of you. Your cat will probably have increased stress, which can in turn make your cat spraying problem worse.
It does not matter if you have taken everything presented into consideration, there is always a chance some cat spraying will occur. The goal is to reduce these events as much as possible, and learn to accept the times they do happen as a side effect.
Cats spray for a variety of reasons. They spray during territorial disputes, when they are aware of another cat in heat, when stressed and often after fights with other cats. When the cat sprays an object, it releases a foul smelling odor akin to ammonia. How can you stop your kitty from performing his normal instinctive behavior of spraying? Understanding cat psychology can resolve this problem. Employing a cat whisperer or cat psychologist to come into your home to resolve problems can also lessen the problem. Even with taking all the precautions, cat spraying will be difficult to eliminate completely but can be easily be controlled and minimized.
Published November 16th, 2007
Filed in Family, Recreation