Cat Spraying: How To Deal With It
A common annoyance with domestic cats, constituting 40% of all house soiling complaints, happens when one's cat stands back to an object and releases a pungent spray. This is called 'cat spraying', and is directly related to the cat marking their territory. It's mostly un-neutered male cats (toms) who spray, but some female cats are known to perform this activity as well when in heat.
Cats can spray for multiple reasons. Territorial disputes can cause them to spray. Another cat in heat can cause them to spray. The stress of fighting with another cat can cause them to spray. Normally cats mark their territory to reduce conflicts with other cats. Most of the time they spray outside, but if there are conflicts inside they will do it there.
When the cat sprays an object, it releases a foul smelling odor akin to ammonia. Removing the smell quickly and completely is important because the smell will encourage the cat to spray again. To remove the smell, clean the object thoroughly with an enzymatic cleanser specially designed to remove odors. Avoid cleansers with ammonia because it smells like the spray itself.
So, how does one prevent this annoying habit? Can it be prevented from happening in the first place?Neutering a tom will significantly reduce the occurrence of cat spraying. Identifying conflicts within the home with the help of a cat whisperer, or someone attuned to cat psychology, can help resolve or minimize the problem. If a cat is spraying in one location, you can arrange furniture or objects around to make them less appealing to spray. Outside the home, you made need to keep your cat inside until conflicts are resolved with neighborhood cats.
You should not punish your cat by taking him to the spot and hitting him. This will instill fear of you in the cat and will have the opposite of the intended effect. The cat may become more stressed. Often times this will lead to an increase in the frequency of cat spraying.
Even if you take all the necessary precautions, cat spraying can be extremely hard to completely eliminate, but you can learn to minimize it. It's just part and parcel of living and caring for your feline friend.
The problem of 'cat spraying' is when a domestic cat will soil its house to mark its territory by backing into furniture or any household item and release a pungent spray. Approximately 40% of all soiling complaints are made of such instances. Females cats will sometimes do it when they are in heat, but generally it is mostly un-neutered male tom cats. Employing a cat whisperer who understands cat psychology to come into your home can also lessen the problem. Don't ever try to punish your cat by bringing him into the area and hitting him. This will lead your cat to be fearful of you.
Published November 16th, 2007
Filed in Family
