A common issue for cat lovers is an anxious or spraying cat, especially when introducing another cat or dog or baby, change happens in the form of a move, an upheaval in the family routine, or a new person in the house. One thing to really understand is it usually won't go away until you take steps to help the situation. You will have to make an effort to be a part of the solution for your animal friend.
This is our experience and what helped us. As always, YMMV (Your mileage may vary) and you will have to try and rework things for your cat and your situation. Please leave any helpful tips or articles on this issue you may have for others in the comment section.
Something that REALLY worked for us was Feliway plug ins and
especially something called Composure. It's a liquid and
a chew.. You have to give it to the cat twice
a day, every day and it takes a week or more to kick in because it's an amino
acid. It's good for them and all natural.
Just an FYI: The shelters are overfull due to foreclosures so the chances a cat
or dog will find a home and not be euthanized is pretty slim.Hard truth, but even more reason to work through this challenge with something that depends of you to solve this issue with your animal companion and not give up.
Spraying:
First thing to do is find out the reason behind the behavior. Are their
changes in the house, is it upset ? Is it because of strays outside, a urinary
tract issue, or is it the litter box?
They might not like the litter or it's not clean enough. Cat's a fastidious creatures. Most cats will not use it and go outside the box when the litter box is not clean. And most people's "clean" is a cat's "dirty". For example, in my multi-cat household, it gets cleaned twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. I have heard people say they keep it clean only to find they clean it maybe twice a week or less. To a cat, that is not clean. So clean it more often if your having issues.
Also, cats are picky about what is under their paws. So try a brand they like the feel of and stick to it.Usually the feel of something sandy or dirt like is the most preferred, but as we know, cats are such individuals, your may be different.
It's also important to take a cat to the vet to rule out any urinary tract issues. If a cat has an infection or crystals, they will go outside the box to try to get your attention that something isn't right. They have no way of telling you but through actions that get your attention.
They might not like the litter or it's not clean enough. Cat's a fastidious creatures. Most cats will not use it and go outside the box when the litter box is not clean. And most people's "clean" is a cat's "dirty". For example, in my multi-cat household, it gets cleaned twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. I have heard people say they keep it clean only to find they clean it maybe twice a week or less. To a cat, that is not clean. So clean it more often if your having issues.
Also, cats are picky about what is under their paws. So try a brand they like the feel of and stick to it.Usually the feel of something sandy or dirt like is the most preferred, but as we know, cats are such individuals, your may be different.
It's also important to take a cat to the vet to rule out any urinary tract issues. If a cat has an infection or crystals, they will go outside the box to try to get your attention that something isn't right. They have no way of telling you but through actions that get your attention.
If the cat is marking near windows and doors, there may be a cat outside, or anxiety issues over territory. That was our problem. Something that REALLY worked for us was
Feliway plug ins and especially something called Composure.It comes in a liquid and a chew. You
have to give it to the cat twice a day, every day and it takes a week or more to
kick in because it's an amino acid. It's good for them and all
natural. If the anxiety is really bad we use Tranquility a herbal tincture by Animal's Apawthacary.
We also use this tincture to calm our animals during thunderstorms or any other periods of high stress.
Cleaning it Up
We also use this tincture to calm our animals during thunderstorms or any other periods of high stress.
Cleaning it Up
Regular soap and water won't work. And they have to
use special cat urine product on the area sprayed. If they use regular cleansers, the cat can
still smell where it's marking and will just continue there. We had good success with Get Serious Odor remover and combined with Fresh and Clean. I have put all the products mentioned here under the link "Recommended Animal Products" You can also find it here:
Recommended products
The Fresh and Clean site talks about how it removes the odors and stains permanently due to the oxygenation technology and the Arm & Hammer deodorizers. Many of the other products on the market just mask the odors for awhile and then the odor comes back. Oxy-Strength removes them permanently. While many of you reading may want something more natural, the stuff works and if it means your animal stays with you and doesn't go to a shelter, it may be worth it to you.
The Fresh and Clean site talks about how it removes the odors and stains permanently due to the oxygenation technology and the Arm & Hammer deodorizers. Many of the other products on the market just mask the odors for awhile and then the odor comes back. Oxy-Strength removes them permanently. While many of you reading may want something more natural, the stuff works and if it means your animal stays with you and doesn't go to a shelter, it may be worth it to you.
You will have to put some effort into this challenge, as
something is amiss for the cat and it won't go away until the problem the cat is
having is dealt with, and that is up to the owner to do. If worse comes to worse, I have read the vet can give them medication
for spraying instead of giving the cat away.
Good article on this can be found at:
Introducing a Cat:
If your cats are going outside, territorial issues will be made
worse. (By the way, a cat who goes outside statistically won't live as long, is prey to unkind people, cars, other animals, fleas and ticks that come inside. I have also read on wildlife sites that cats and dogs have a severe impact on neighborhood wildlife and nesting birds.)
The smells of outside can create a revolving door of territorial issues and insecurity. And getting used to each other's smell is very important. So one cat should not be going out while another is inside. It brings in different odors and they are still getting used to each other's smell.
Is there any way the little cat can be kept inside? After 2-3 weeks of meowing and pouting, the cries to go out it will be over with. You just have to put your mom/dad pants on as you would with a child and ride it out, knowing your doing what's best for them and your household and not give in.
When our windows are open, the thing with my two cats gets worse and I bring out the big guns, Feliway plug ins and Composure. In winter, with windows closed, they quiet down.
The smells of outside can create a revolving door of territorial issues and insecurity. And getting used to each other's smell is very important. So one cat should not be going out while another is inside. It brings in different odors and they are still getting used to each other's smell.
Is there any way the little cat can be kept inside? After 2-3 weeks of meowing and pouting, the cries to go out it will be over with. You just have to put your mom/dad pants on as you would with a child and ride it out, knowing your doing what's best for them and your household and not give in.
When our windows are open, the thing with my two cats gets worse and I bring out the big guns, Feliway plug ins and Composure. In winter, with windows closed, they quiet down.
Another thing I do if they are integrating with a new cat or having issues with one of them, is that I pet them both while playing,
eating or giving treats(positive reinforcement) and when they snipe, take the
reward away.
Also, a slow introduction is important. And it's
not too late. Keep one in a room. Let them sniff each other under the door for
several days and then slowly reintroduce. Issues arrive when they are thrown
together quickly.
Also remember, cats will work it out. If there
isn't any bloodshed, just let them work it out and they will. It's the way cats
do things and humans can make it worse by freaking out and basically being a "Helicopter Mom."
Good articles on this can be found here:
humanesociety.org: Introducing a New Cat
Operation Noble Foster.org/ Multi Cat Household
Good articles on this can be found here:
humanesociety.org: Introducing a New Cat
Operation Noble Foster.org/ Multi Cat Household
Under the heading of this blog I have put all the products mentioned here under the link "Recommended Animal Products" You can also find it here:
We had a really bad problem with it when we moved to The Hermitage, so if we could surmount it, anyone can!
You must be patient. 90% of an animal's behavior issue is about the human family figuring out what they are doing to create this issue, figuring out how to solve it, following through and sticking to something with patience..and 10% of the animal following your lead.
Animals above all, always want to please us.
You must be patient. 90% of an animal's behavior issue is about the human family figuring out what they are doing to create this issue, figuring out how to solve it, following through and sticking to something with patience..and 10% of the animal following your lead.
Animals above all, always want to please us.
This blog post was hereby approved by
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| Ace Pilot Captain Tommy McTommerson 9th Airborne of The Great Cat Army |
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| Under the command of General A.O. |
