The act of marking the territory is a behavior that allows male cats to communicate, for a variety of reasons, with the subjects of their species. Since urine secreted along with other substances leaves a pungent odor and can stain furniture and carpets, it can be quite a nuisance at home. If your cat is spraying, there are a number of ways to fix the problem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Determine the Cause of Urinary Marking
Step 1. Learn the difference between marking territory and urinating
Urinary marking is a means of communication that can be caused by several factors. On the other hand, the pet's urination responds to his urge to urinate and can often be attributed to a simple problem involving the litter box.
- Urinary marking marks are found on vertical surfaces because the male cat sprays objects from behind to signal his presence to the female. Also, the amount of urine is less than that produced during urination.
- The urine secreted during tagging has a stronger odor because the animal releases certain chemicals that send messages to other subjects of its species.
- Marking is more common among non-neutered males, in multi-cat homes, and in homes where recent changes have occurred.
Step 2. Understand why cats spray
To put an end to this behavior, you need to understand the reasons why these animals mark territory. Spraying is a way of communicating with other cats, so if you can pinpoint what your cat is trying to communicate, you can fix the problem.
- The cat is a territorial animal and tries to appropriate certain things and areas. Urinary marking is how he informs others of his presence and which parts of the house belong to him. If you have more than one cat, one of them is likely to mark the territory.
- Marking is also part of the mating ritual of these animals. It is very common during the mating season because the pheromones present in the urine communicate the readiness of the males to mate. If your cat hasn't been neutered, she may be squirting for this reason.
Step 3. Know why
Once you understand the causes of urinary marking, ask yourself a series of questions that affect your home. They will tell you why your cat may be squirting.
- Was a baby born or did you adopt another pet? Your cat is likely to feel threatened and want to mark territory.
- Are there other cats in the neighborhood that can be a source of stress for your furry friend upon entering your garden?
- Did he have to change any habits? Cats dislike change and sometimes misbehave when their routine is turned upside down.
- Do you have more than one cat in the house? If so, does each of them have enough space?
- Have you replaced the litter box lately?
Part 2 of 3: Solving Stress-Related Problems
Step 1. Follow a routine
Changes in the home can cause stress and insecurity in the cat, causing him to spray to mark the space in which he lives. If she has started spraying, a routine can relieve her stress and eliminate the problem.
- Feed him at the same time every day and leave the litter box, bed, and toys in the same areas.
- If you have any visitors, put it in another room. It is especially important if those who come to see you also have other cats that can transmit their scent through their owner's clothes. This factor can cause stress and lead to marking the territory.
- Some pheromones in sprays, which you can find in most pet stores, are specially designed to calm cats. If you know a major change, such as the arrival of a child or pet, is coming soon, buy one to help your furry friend cope until he gets used to it.
Step 2. Make sure it has enough space
If you have more than one cat in your home, urinary marking often occurs due to the territorial nature of these animals. So make sure everyone has enough space to reduce this behavior.
- Get several perches. Cats love to observe from above. Try clearing a window sill or library shelf, or purchase a scratching post at a pet store.
- Provide various bowls and vending machines for food and water, scratching posts and toys.
- Get more than one litter box. Although urinary marking differs from urination, limited space for manure can promote territorial reactions. So, buy more than one litter box and change it every day.
Step 3. Thoroughly eliminate traces of urine
If he sprays repeatedly, he is likely to do this in reaction to the smell of another male's urine, especially if you have several cats in the house. Pet odors must be neutralized to stop the frequency of this phenomenon.
- Don't hesitate to machine wash everything you can, using a normal laundry detergent.
- You can pour a solution of water and white vinegar in equal parts into a spray bottle and apply it to the surfaces marked by the cat. This way, you will neutralize bad smells and discourage your furry friend from spraying in the same spots.
- Pet stores and even some supermarkets and large shopping malls sell proper cleaners with synthetic pheromones and some enzymes that remove odors that promote urinary marking.
Step 4. Limit contact with the outside world
Often, conflicts with neighborhood cats encourage this behavior. Even if you don't let your furry friend out, he may start spraying if he sees or smells another cat through the window.
- Remove furniture your cat likes to climb out of the windows. Consider buying a scratching post to give him another place to climb.
- Close the windows, curtains and doors.
- If you have a garden, consider connecting a motion sensor to the sprinkler so it activates as soon as your cat approaches the window.
Step 5. Help him get used to new family members
The arrival of a baby can promote urinary marking because, by doing so, the cat intends to prevent the invasion of its territory. Therefore, you have to get him used to this change to prevent him from starting spraying.
- Stick to the routine, even if it's difficult. With the arrival of a child it is inevitable that habits are drastically changed. Therefore, try to be regular in feeding food, at times related to sleep and wakefulness and in cleaning the litter box.
- Don't give him too much attention before the baby arrives, or he'll get used to it. That way, he'll be even more disappointed when your baby is born and may misbehave to get attention.
- When you buy games and other items for your child, have them sniff and examine them as soon as you discard them. Anything that smells new or unfamiliar can promote urinary marking.
Part 3 of 3: Contact the veterinarian
Step 1. Take him to the vet
Urinary marking is usually a behavioral problem, but if you haven't solved it by making some changes around the house and sticking to certain habits, you need to go to the vet. A visit will allow you to rule out or identify and treat any health issues that may be causing your cat to spray. Difficulty controlling the bladder, especially in older people, can indicate a serious problem, such as a dysfunction in this organ.
Step 2. Proceed to castration
Since urinary marking is to attract females, the cause of the problem may be that your cat has not been neutered. When the male sprays, he has clearly reached sexual maturity, so proceeding with the castration can put an end to his behavior.
- If you can, get him operated on before he's 6 months old. More than 90% of males do not start spraying if they are neutered within that time period.
- About 87% of older cats stop spraying after being neutered. Although most stop immediately, a little less than 10% take a few months to permanently stop marking territory.
Step 3. Learn about medications
It is possible to treat the problem with certain medications prescribed by the vet even when the urinary marking is due to stress or anxiety.
- The veterinarian may indicate the use of antidepressants and anxiolytics, administered orally. They can relieve tensions within a home populated by several cats or the anxiety caused by a lack of a regular routine.
- Always consult your veterinarian and tell him all the information useful to build a medical history of your cat. There may be some unwanted interactions between some health problems and certain medications.
- All drugs produce side effects. Before giving medicine to your furry friend, ask your vet what symptoms you need to watch out for and how severe they are.
Advice
- Never scold him. Cats don't react to positive and negative reinforcements like dogs, so scolding him could increase his stress and make the problem worse.
- If you have more than one cat, make sure each one gets enough attention. These animals show their territorial instincts even with people, so they can become jealous if the owner shows preferences.
- Determine if he is marking territory or urinating. Urinating outside the litter box can indicate a health problem, which you should definitely not overlook by confusing it with urinary marking.
