Do All Boy Cats Spray

What Smell Do Cats Hate The Most

As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can’t stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.

Why Do Male Cats Spray

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Cats speak a different language than humans so their behaviors are often actually their ways of trying to say something. Urine spraying is one of these such behaviors but unfortunately it isn’t something any cat owner likes to see, much less clean up. Knowing why your cat may be spraying and what you can do about it can help ease some stress and frustration for both you and your cat.

Change How You Think About Spraying

If an adult human peed on your things, youd have every right to be furious. Youd attribute all kinds of unwelcome intent in an action like that and youd probably be right. But if you attribute that kind of intent to your cat, youd be dead wrong.

Unless your cat is spraying to attract a mate, your cat is spraying to feel safer, to make his home feel more secure, to deal with very real stress, or to avoid a fight with another cat. Thats all. Cats do not feel the same way about urine as we do. They are not trying to ruin our things and they are not trying to claim our things as their own.

Remember that urine spraying is usually anxiety based. A cat doesnt get angry because another cat has the nerve to step foot into his territory, for example. Hes upset because he doesnt have the social skills to deal with the intrusion.

Why is it important to understand what your cat is feeling when he is spraying? If you understand the very real stress a spraying cat is feeling, youll be less inclined to shout at a spraying cat or to punish a spraying cat. Youll be more interested in trying to resolve the problem that is causing your cat to spray in the first place.

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Stop Your Cat Spraying With 1 Simple Trick

Cat spraying sucks. Especially when it seems no matter what you do your cat wonât stop. Not only does it leave your house smelling horrible, but it costs you money, wastes your time and causes you stress.

Hoping your cat will just stop spraying on their own is a bad idea. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life scrubbing walls and living in a smelly dump? Using our unique Touch Taste Smell method, you can stop your cat from spraying in just 7 days.

Why Does A Cat Spray

Inappropriate urination is the most reported behavior problem from cat owners.

Studies indicate that at least 10% of cats will pee outside of their litter box at some point in their lives, and its important to understand why your cat is urinating somewhere other than his designated box.

Cats use their urine as a method of communication.

Mostly, its how they communicate with other animals.

The odor of their spray changes depending on the message they are trying to send .

• A recent addition to the family?
• Death of a loved one?
• New relationship?
• Change in your job?

Just as these experiences cause stress in humans, so too do our beloved pets feel stress.

Cats, in particular, like predictability.

Changes, even seemingly minor ones, can create panic and one of the ways that they express their anxiety is by eliminating in places other than the litter box.

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When Do Male Cats Stop Spraying After Being Neutered

Since cats start spraying for a variety of different reasons, thereâs no knowing exactly when they will stop. Sometimes they will just naturally stop after a few weeks once they feel safe and secure. Other times they will continue to spray until you finally do something about it.

If your cat is spraying then donât worry, most cats spray because of behavioral issues and can be fixed in just a matter of days. The trick is to make sure they feel safe and are not being threatened by any other cat.

Every cat can be taught how to stop spraying if you put in enough time to teach them. There are various techniques and strategies out there that can stop your cat from spraying almost instantly. But more on that later, why exactly is your cat spraying in the first place?

Treating Urine Marking In Intact Cats

Here are a few things you can do to remedy the urine marking behavior of an intact cat:

• Neuter or spay your cat. Although marking isnt limited to advertisement for a mate, advertisement is one reason that cats mark. Neutering or spaying is a proven treatment for cats who mark as a reproductive advertisement.
• Close windows, blinds and doors. Prevent your indoor cat from seeing other neighborhood cats.
• Attach a motion-detection device to your lawn sprinkler. Set the sprinkler by windows to deter the presence of neighborhood cats.

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Is The Cat Urinating Or Spraying

Firstly, its important to differentiate between true urine spraying, and inappropriate urination. During true spraying behaviour cats stand with their tail erect, with the rear end elevated. They may twitch the tail, pad with the hind feet, or pull a strange face before spraying a small jet of urine. This is usually only a couple of millilitres of liquid. Inappropriate urination is usually a normal sized urination in places other than the litter tray.

There are some problems that can cause both urine spraying and inappropriate urination, however leaving large volumes of urine in the wrong place can be a sign of more serious illness such as kidney disease or diabetes. Its therefore important that this doesnt get passed off as spraying, and a more serious condition goes unintentionally ignored.

Is It Only Male Cats That Spray Urine

Males and females are capable of urine spraying although the frequency is higher in males. The incidence is much higher in intact animals , suggesting it may be facilitated by sexual hormones, providing information about the sprayers presence and reproductive status. Approximately 90% of intact males and 95% of intact females show a significant decrease in spraying after castration/spaying.

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Is There Anything I Can Do While I Am Waiting For A Referral

Once you have seen your vet about this problem then the best advice is to wait for the behaviourist to assess your specific situation and recommend changes that are tailor-made to suit the needs of your particular cat and its circumstances. However, there are a few general things that may help in the meantime:

• Clean sprayed areas with 10% biological washing powder solution, rinse thoroughly before drying and spraying with surgical spirit
• Place new feeding stations at sprayed sites and put a portion of your cats normal daily ration in these areas
• Alternatively, use Feliway® spray to treat sprayed sites, according to the manufacturers instructions
• Use Feliway® diffuser to help reduce stress and anxiety
• Provide safe indoor litter trays one for each cat in the household plus one extra. Distribute these trays in different locations in the home, away from food, water and cat beds
• If you have a multi-cat household, ensure ALL resources are provided to the same formula
• If full-length curtains have been targeted, once cleaned, consider pinning them up temporarily to avoid repeated spraying
• If your cat has ever seen strange cats outside through full-length glass doors or windows then place static, opaque plastic film, or cardboard, over the lower section so they cant see out and cats outside cant see in

Ways To Address Spraying/ Scent Marking

• Consult a feline-friendly veterinarian to get information about the best way to determine why your cat is spraying or scent-marking inappropriately. This may include diagnostic testing to identify any medical issues.
• Ensure that all of your cats needs are being met including safety, key resources, opportunity for play, positive social interaction with humans, and an environment that allows them to appropriately scent mark with their face and body.
• You can look into neutering or spaying your cat. This will physiologically eliminate sexually-related marking behavior. You should consult with your veterinarian to see if this is recommended for your cat and this situation.
• Reduce the possibility that other cats may be encroaching on your cats territory and triggering this marking behavior.
• Tip: If your cat is an indoor-only cat, you can look into using motion activated water sprinklers to make your yard unattractive to other cats.
• Tip: Lay plastic carpet protectors upside down in front of sliding glass doors to create an uncomfortable surface. This may dissuade other cats from sitting close to your house and intimidating your cat.
• Tip: Remove or block all cat doors that allow other roaming cats to enter your home. Use microchip or magnet operated devices to only allow access to your cat.

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My Cat Has Stopped Spraying Now After A Few Weeks Do I Still Need To See The Vet

Urine spraying can come and go, depending on the presence or absence of whatever it is that is stressing your cat. Often the problem returns and the longer you wait before tackling the problem, the more complicated it can become. Urine spraying is difficult to resolve as it is a normal behaviour for the species and often the identified stress triggers may be outside your influence . However, prior to a known and anticipated stressful event, it may be beneficial to use a Feliway® diffuser for those cats which have a history of urine marking during times of increased anxiety.

The problem can be reduced or contained to your satisfaction but guidance should be offered regarding the long-term wellbeing of the individual cat.

What Causes A Cat To Spray Urine

Lets start with a description of cats who dont spray or urine mark.

A cat who doesnt spray is typically spayed or neutered and thus has no interest in mating. A cat who doesnt spray lives in a world that is predictable and unchanging. A cat who doesnt spray has no conflicts with other pets in the home, and no concerns about cat intruders outside the home. A cat who doesnt spray is feeling healthy and is not in any pain. Simply put, a cat who doesnt spray is a cat who isnt distressed about anything.

So, what kinds of things cause a cat to spray?

• The cat is unneutered and is seeking a mate.

• The cat has an underlying medical problem, such as a UTI, kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis, or hyperthyroidism. Note that there are no medical problems that directly contribute to urine marking, but certain physical problems can cause anxiety, which can cause a cat to spray.

• The cat lives in a household with other cats with whom he has unresolved conflicts.

• There are new cats in the neighborhood, especially other cats who leave their urine marks in your yard. Even if your cat never goes out, he might still smell the intruder.

• There is a new person in the house, including a baby, or a new cat or other pet.

• There are changes in smell to the house from paint, new carpeting, or furniture.

• There are changes of any kind in the household, including just moving furniture.

• There are changes in your familys routine.

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Spraying Reason #: Medical Issues

If your cat has stopped using the litter box or if he urinates right in front of you, its time to see your veterinarian. A urinary tract infection may be responsible for your cats recent spraying behavior.

Kidney disease may also bring about changed urinary habits, including more frequent urination.

Since cats cant verbalize when theyre in trouble, they may use changed behavior to signal to you that something is wrong.

Why Is It Important To Neuter Or Spay Your Cat

These operations not only prevent unwanted pregnancies, but they also prevent diseases and unfortunate behavioral patterns that only occur as a result of the cat’s sexual maturity. For example, your spayed female cat cannot get uterine cancer without a uterus, and her chances of developing breast cancer are reduced by a quarter. This is because hormonal changes and urinary tract infections are greatly reduced by the surgery. Pregnancy and birth in the animal kingdom also tend to be high risk. Male cats that are neutered cannot get testicular cancer once the testes are removed. They also lack the desire to engage in aggressive acts towards other cats and other animals. Unaltered cats that find themselves in constant fights can get injured, killed, or contract the feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia through the blood of an sickly cat. Sometimes those wounds can become infected and lead to abscesses. Males that are not neutered also tend to roam away from home, possibly getting hit by motor vehicles. These reasons are why it has been estimated that neutered male cats survive up to 40% longer than those that are unaltered.

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Solving The Spraying Riddle

If your cat hasnt been spayed or neutered yet, the first step is to get them fixed. Its also critical to rule out any medical problems with your vet. What looks like spraying might actually be the sign of a urinary tract inflammation or infection, bladder stones, hyperthyroidism, or a host of other common feline medical conditions. Once your cat gets a clean bill of health from the vet, here are some ways to try and trouble-shoot and tackle your cats spraying situation at home:

Sparkling Clean: If theres the even slightest scent of urine left behind, your cat will know, thanks to their 200 million scent receptors. And the smell may encourage them to keep going back to spray the same spot. To thoroughly clean all the areas your cat has marked, use a good enzymatic, bio-based cleaner, like the Natures Miracle ADVANCE Cat Stain & Odor Eliminator. And check out this article for tips about cleaning up pet messes.

Calming Pheromones: After cleaning, plug in some Feliway® multi-cat calming pheromone diffusers around your home. Feliway multi-cat has been shown to help reduce stress-related problems between cats in multi-cat homes and situations.

Environmental Enrichment:Keeping your cat active physically and mentally will help increase their well-being and reduce their stress level. Training, interactive toys, food puzzles, and plenty of vertical perches and quiet places to hide will help keep them busy and content.

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Common Reasons Why Cats Spray

Territory: Spraying is one way cats mark their turf, especially if another cat is lurking around and leaving their own mark in your yard. Even if your cat never goes outside, theres still the possibility that they will see or smell the intruder, and then spray around a door or window in response.

Conflict: In multi-feline households, spraying can also be a way for cats to draw boundaries, establish pecking order, and settle disputes.

Change: Moving to a new place, a home remodeling project, changes in routine, or the arrival or loss of a human or pet sibling can all make a cat feel insecure and stressed. The changes dont have to be big, either. Even moving around the living room furniture can upset a more sensitive kitty. Spraying is just one way for a stressed cat to show their stress.

Mating: Both female and male cats spray although unneutered males are more likely to leave their mark as a way to let the opposite sex know theyre available . Even if your spraying cat is spayed/neutered, if the procedure was done later in life, this could be a learned behavior theyve carried over from their previous fertile days.

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New People Or Strangers

Cats sometimes mark their territory if their owners go on holiday and leave a stranger to care for them. Because they feel vulnerable, they mark an area that has a strong scent of the owners, such as the duvet. The best way to avoid this is to keep the bedroom door closed. Make your cat feel secure again on your return from holiday.

The Reasons Behind Cat Spraying

Urine is a powerful communication tool cats can tell a great deal about each other from it including age, sex, status and sexual availability. Although adult cats of both genders, whole as well as fixed, might spray under specific circumstances, intact ones are most often guilty of the smelly behavior.

Whole males, as a rule, are prone to cat spraying behaviors. Pheromones, released into the urine, advertise theyre ready, willing and on the alert for girlfriends. Additionally, cat spraying broadcasts clear messages to other male cats to stay away. Intact female cats spray, too the chemicals in their urine indicate where they are in their cycle.

Spray from intact cats is more pungent than from those who are fixed. The unpleasant smell is easier to detect from a distance important for advertising for a special friend.

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