How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail and releases a fine spray of urine. Yes, your cat is spraying. You have a problem. But one you can solve.

Figures from the British Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors say that aggression in dogs and marking behavior in cats are the biggest behavior problems in the UK pet population.

Kittens Cats

Spraying is marking behavior, not a litter box problem. Sprayed cat urine contains pheromones, a substance that animals use to communicate. Combinations of pheromones work like fingerprints: they identify the cat.

How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

A spraying cat marks his or her territory with cat urine. It simply says: 'This is mine'. You may not like it, but getting angry doesn't help. It may even have an opposite effect: more spraying.

Cats in heat are attracted by the odor of cat urine. For them, spraying is something like an invitation to love. The results may be there in 65 days: a nest of cute little kittens.

Cats do not only spray during sexual encounters. Some also do it during conflicts with other felines, or when they are stressed.

For people the scent is far from pleasant. Thankfully most cats spray outside. But what if you have a cat spraying inside? Do something about it! And yes, that is possible.

The most radical and effective thing you can do is neutering or spaying your cat. Most castrated toms stopped spraying from the day they were operated.

But maybe you have a reason not to neuter your cat. In that case try to find out why your cat sprays.

Maybe it sprays only when it sees another cat. Solution: block the view. Or it sprays because of a conflict with another pet. Keep them separated and problems might be over.

If you don't know why your cat sprays, discuss it with your veterinarian. Chances are he will advice you to spay or neuter. But your vet can also check if there is a medical problem.

Anyway, do not leave this problem unsolved. Cat urine odor and stains can make your home a very uncomfortable place, and your cat will still remain a cat even when it doesn't spray anymore.

How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

A Comparison of Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs represent two totally different characters. In fact, people even classify themselves as either a dog person or a cat person. Cats and dogs are usually compared to each other because they are the favorite pet of the entire world. If someone wants to get a pet they definitely consider buying a cat or a dog. There is a great difference between having a cat as a pet and dog as a pet. If you are confused between buying a dog or a cat you should try to understand their personalities first.

Cats are independent creature while dogs are more social. A dog will come to you running when you return from home and start licking you while a cat might stay at her cushion. Do not think that cats are cold at heart. They might seem indifferent but they do love you like your other pets. They just show their affection whenever they feel like doing so. Quite contrary to the common belief, cats do not like solitude.

Kittens Cats

Cats are territorial creatures. That is they adapt to the surroundings as well as the people around them. Dogs are just into people. They get attached to only their owners. IF you take a dog to a new home or office they will be happy as long as you stay with them; while cats might get scared and anxious if you take them away from their home.

A Comparison of Cats and Dogs

Dogs can be trained easily by showing them affection and rewarding for their appropriate action. It is hard to teach a cat like this. You can teach a dog to "sit" in five minutes, but it will take weeks to teach a cat to sit. The same thing goes with bad behavior. You can teach a dog what not to do by showing anger or hitting him gently. But his negative reinforcement never works with cats. If they sense danger they will just avoid punishment by running away. See the dog behaves as a group member and stays with the group even if it is punished. The cat; although a part of the group; is independent and will always try to evade punishment.

Cats will share their territory with others as long as they are kept satisfied and their basic needs are met. If you love your cat it will love you back but don't expect it to show affection all the time. It will come and sit besides when it wants to be loved.

Cats and dogs both make a wonderful pet and great addition to your family. With proper care and attention both cats and dogs can be taught all the necessary habits that are demanded from a pet. Both are loving and amiable; although they show their love in different ways. So if you are confused on whether to get a dog or a cat; just ask the question "Are you a dog person or a cat person?"

A Comparison of Cats and Dogs