Cat Spraying: How To Deal With It
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.
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. So the cats, normally solitary creatures, mark their territory as a way to reduce conflicts with other cats in the area. Mostly cats will spray outside, but if there are conflicts within the home, they will spray inside as well.
When a cat "sprays" an object, the spray releases a rancid odor most akin to ammonia. The smell may encourage the cat to spray again, so it is importantly to remove the smell rapidly and completely. When removing the smell, clean the object thoroughly with an enzymatic cleanser, one specially designed to remove bad odors. Avoid cleansers that contain ammonia: they will only make the smell worse!
How can you stop your kitty from performing his normal instinctive behavior of spraying? You'll find that if you have your cat neutered, he will be far less likely to spray. Employing a cat whisperer or cat psychologist to come into your home to resolve problems can also lessen the problem. For cats which only spray in one place, rearrange your furniture to make this area a much less attractive location for him to spray. If the spraying problem is outdoors, just keep your kitty inside until the issues he has with neighborhood cats are resolved.
What you should not do, is punish your cat by taking him to the area and hitting. This will teach the cat to fear you and will have the opposite effect of making the cat more stressed and may even increase the cat spraying problem.
If you know the joy of having a cat as your companion you probably also know about the problem of cat spraying. It may not be possible to get rid the problem completely but can be controlled.
Cats spray for a variety of reasons. Mostly cats will spray outside, but if there are conflicts within the home, they will spray inside as well. You'll find that if you have your cat neutered, he will be far less likely to spray. Employing a cat whisperer or using cat psychology can also lessen the problem. If the spraying problem is outdoors, just keep your kitty inside until the issues he has with neighborhood cats are resolved. Don't ever try to punish your cat by hitting him. Your cat will probably have increased stress, which can in turn make your cat spraying problem worse.
Published November 16th, 2007
Filed in Recreation