what to do with a female cat that sprays

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You notice a wet spot on the side of the sofa, or the drapes, or maybe running down the front door. Hmmm, is that . . . ? Yep, it looks — and smells — like cat pee. Uh oh. What's going on? Is your cat trying to tell you something?

Actually, when your cat sprays, they are trying to send you (or another cat in or around your abode) a message! It'south commonly either, "I was here"/"this is my home," or "I'm stressed out."

Y'all see, spraying (or "marking") is all about communication for cats. It's different from fully peeing or pooping outside the litter box (a.k.a. "inappropriate toileting" or "inappropriate elimination") — which, though could as well be due to stress or problems between the pets in your habitation, is most frequently related to a problem with your cat's litter boxes (e.g., the type of litter used, the location or number of boxes bachelor, or another of the common issues with litter box setup and maintenance). And, but to keep things interesting, both "spraying" and "inappropriate emptying" tin besides be brought on past, or worsened by, an underlying medical problem (e.thousand., arthritis, urinary tract inflammation ("cystitis") or infection ("UTI"), kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or a host of other problems). This article is going to focus on helping you with a cat that's spraying or "marker." Read on to run into if that might be your true cat, and what you tin can practise near it.

What Cat Spraying Ways

One of the ways cats communicate is through scent, specifically leaving their scents in certain places. In the cat globe, spraying is a totally normal and appropriate manner to "converse," just like scratching*, rubbing their face on objects (including you), or even rolling around on the ground.

Of course, in the human world, we're usually fine with our cats communicating by rubbing their confront on things or rolling on the ground, only we're (understandably) less excited about having our cats communicate by spraying urine. So allow's explore why your cat might exist doing it and how yous can assistance them (and yourself).

*Need help with your cat scratching your furniture, as well? Or want to learn how to forestall them from ever doing so in the first place? Check out our Scratch this, NOT that! article.

Signs Your True cat Might Exist Spraying

It can exist tricky to figure if your cat is spraying/marking, as opposed to fugitive the litter box and showing "inappropriate elimination." And so, here are some clues to look for that may aid you lot distinguish between the two:

• Inappropriate elimination urine more often than not happens only on horizontal surfaces (e.yard., floors, laundry, etc.). Whereas urine that's sprayed typically shows upwards on vertical surfaces (e.g., furniture, walls, etc.).
• If you're able to catch your true cat spraying/marking in existent-fourth dimension, you'll most likely run into them standing with their back to their vertical "target" and holding their tail held direct upwards. Yous might even see their tail quivering, too.
• A cat that'south spraying/marker will probably even so be also using their litter boxes regularly – both for pee and poop.
• Cats that are spraying typically merely practice so with pee — they rarely e'er "mark" with poop.
• For cats that are spraying, the location they are doing it in is typically more important to them than the "experience" of the surface they're doing it on. Meaning that they're nigh probable to spray in areas they want to claim equally their own or where other cats will see and read their message. On the other hand, inappropriately toileting cats will often "do their business" on a surface they prefer to whatever is in their litter boxes – hence why this type of beliefs often happens on carpeting, laundry, or other "cushy" surfaces.

If these signs audio like what your cat is doing, read on for assist. If y'all at present think that your cat is merely avoiding their litter boxes, check out this article on inappropriate elimination, which can assistance you lot get to the bottom of that upshot.

Common Reasons Why Cats Spray

Territory: Spraying is one way cats mark their turf, particularly if another cat is lurking around and leaving their own mark in your yard. Even if your cat never goes outside, in that location's notwithstanding the possibility that they volition see or smell the "intruder," and then spray effectually a door or window in response.

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

Modify: Moving to a new place, a home remodeling projection, 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 don't have to be big, either. Fifty-fifty moving effectually the living room furniture can upset a more than sensitive kitty. Spraying is just 1 fashion for a stressed cat to show their stress.

Mating: Both female and male person cats spray — although unneutered males are more likely to leave their mark as a way to let the opposite sex know they're available (and to mark their territory). Even if your spraying true cat is spayed/neutered, if the process was done later in life, this could be a learned behavior they've carried over from their previous "fertile" days.

Solving the Spraying Riddle

If your true cat hasn't been spayed or neutered yet, the first step is to go them fixed. It'south likewise critical to rule out any medical problems with your vet. What looks similar spraying might actually exist the sign of a urinary tract inflammation or infection, float stones, hyperthyroidism, or a host of other common feline medical atmospheric condition. In one case your true cat gets a clean bill of health from the vet, here are some ways to effort and trouble-shoot and tackle your cat's spraying situation at home:

Sparkling Make clean : If there's the even slightest scent of urine left backside, your cat volition know, thank you to their 200 one thousand thousand olfactory property receptors. And the odour may encourage them to keep going dorsum to spray the aforementioned spot. To thoroughly clean all the areas your true cat has marked, use a good enzymatic, bio-based cleaner, like the Nature's Miracle ADVANCE Cat Stain & Odor Eliminator. And cheque out this article for tips (and a circumspection) virtually cleaning up pet messes.

Calming Pheromones: After cleaning, plug in some Feliway®multi-cat calming pheromone diffusers around your dwelling. Feliway multi-cat has been shown to help reduce stress-related issues between cats in multi-cat homes and situations. (Note that the Feliway is also sometimes sold under the "Comfort Zone" make and the multi-cat production is different from the "classic" Feliway/Comfort Zone product, which is intended for unmarried-cat situations.)

Cat Away: If another cat is wandering into your chiliad and stressing your kitty out, try pulling the shades and/or moving your true cat's perch to another location. This next tip is a stretch but worth trying –  if it's the neighbor's outdoor cat causing the stress and you have a good relationship with your neighbor. Let them know that their cat's presence in your yard is stressing your cat and causing them to pee in your firm. Maybe, they'd be willing to keep their cat indoors, or at least in their own yard (there are cat-proof fences available, including this option which, although a little pricey is highly constructive for most cats). If it's not your neighbor's true cat, or if it is merely they won't proceed their true cat indoors or put upwards cat-proof fencing, consider a humane outdoor animate being deterrent, like the Hoont Cobra Jet Spray.

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

Boxes and Bowls: To minimize battles in a multi-cat household, brand sure there'due south a litter box for every true cat plus an extra 1, besides as ensuring that litter boxes are located in different areas and levels of your home. Giving each cat their own food bowl and split feeding areas can also help reduce conflicts.

Supplements: The VetriScience Composure chews tin help calm and reduce stress in cats in certain situations and are worth trying. Your vet can also discuss and recommend other supplements that may help. (See as well the notation at the end of this article about medications your vet can prescribe that can aid, as well.)

If Your Cat Is a "High Pee-er": If your cat simply pees high, but in the litter box, you might want to use boxes with higher sides to avert the mess. The important function is that there's still 1 side that's low enough for your cat to get in. Specially equally a cat ages, getting in and out of their litter box can cause another set of problems and a whole lot of discomfort (every bit many cats over 7 years old have arthritis).

These first ii box options fit the bill, with 3 high sides and one lower i.

Nature'due south Miracle High Sided Cat Litter Box

BetterBox Large True cat Litter Box

You could also switch to covered boxes, but y'all've got to be extra conscientious to scoop covered boxes at least in one case daily, equally they are more likely to trap ammonia and other smells that can irritate your cat'due south nose/lungs and drive them out of the boxes. The Modkat boxes are a little pricey, but function great for many cats and homes.

Modkat Xl Litter Box, Acme-Entry or Front-Entry Configurable

Modkat Litter Tray

What Not To Do

• Negative reinforcement, like shouting at your cat, won't help the situation — and will probably make things worse because your true cat will end up feeling more stressed.

• Deterrent sprays (including spraying water) can also make your cat nervous and increase their stress. And fifty-fifty if the spray deters them from marking that item spot, they will probably merely become off and find a new identify to mark.

Although having a true cat that'southward spraying in the house can be pretty frustrating, effort not to take it personally! Your true cat isn't mad at y'all — they're only letting you know that they're either feeling threatened or insecure. If you and your vet have ruled out an underlying medical problem and y'all've tried some of the DIY solutions in a higher place and you're however not having much luck solving the trouble, heading back to your vet or to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist truly is your all-time bet. And doing so sooner, rather than later, is a adept idea. Not just tin can they help guide you with some other, more specific suggestions for your cat and home, they tin also prescribe medications that have been shown to help spraying cats.

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Source: https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/cat-spraying

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