Top 4 Ways to Stop A Spraying Cats
It doesn't matter if you have a young kitten or a full grown cat, it's still just as frustrating when they are not using their litter box, as they should. However, it is NEVER OK to discipline your feline friend. This is not how cats learn, and will just make them fear you. Before you make any attempt to repair the situation consider the following 4 tips:
1. Inexperience
When you are bringing your cat home for the first time, or you're moving to a new place, your cat may be confused to where it is OK to do their business. There is a quick fix. Put your cat in the litter box a few times, just so they know where it is and that it has litter they can dig and bury their business in. Then, leave them in the room with their litter box alone. Close the door behind you. Their instincts will kick in, and if that's the only place available to them they will have no choice. Little by little let them roam further out of the room. This way they don't get overwhelmed with too much space, losing where their litter box is.
2. Aggression or Territorial Marking
Many unaltered males spray to mark their territory. So, in most instances if you have an unaltered male, the way to fix the problem is to neuter them. You may also, want to start keeping the window shut so your cat doesn't catch the scent of another male roaming in your yard. This could cause a battle between that cat and your cat. Leaving your cat spraying around your house to keep the other cat out.
3. Physical Issues
Spraying or not using the litter box can be because of an illness. If your cat is experiencing pain while using the litter box, they associate the pain with the litter box. Making them not want to use it anymore. Then, they have to find an alternative around your house. The pain could be caused by a urinary infection, or maybe your cat is so ill they are too weak to go and find the litter box. Either way when your cat has stopped using their litter box it is crucial that you take them to a vet to rule out an illnesses first. You don't want the illness to spread or for the problem to become a habit.
4. Stressed Out
If you have recently moved or changed your house's orientation, you might find that one of the most important things that you need to consider is that your cat is stressed out and afraid. Cats are creatures of habit, and they might need time to really adjust to their new environment. It might be a good idea to give them something that they are familiar with in their area, and you might find that it is very important to let them adjust at their own rate?
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Published September 8th, 2008
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