Lea esta página del internet en español

Indoor Cat Initiative

Spraying and Marking

Mine! Mine! Mine!

I am a creature of habit. I like having my own space, my own toys, and my own stuff. Now I will share. I can cohabitate. I do need something that is mine to be happy. If I think something that belongs to me is being taken over by something else, including you, my owner, I will feel threatened.. So I will answer a threat sometimes. I have to let everyone know that this is mine. The natural way to do this is to claim what is mine is to mark it with urine. This is like writing my name on my things. Sometimes just putting my scent on something or in a certain area will make me feel secure, especially if I feel out of place, nervous or fearful.

I am not being spiteful. I am upset over something. I need to be reassured. You need to make sure that I don't have a medical problem. If our veterinarian tells you that I am fine, then think about what is going on in my life. First give me lots of attention. I need to know that you care. Don't scream at me. Don't rub my nose in it. Don't throw me into the litter box. This will make me more nervous, more upset, and more afraid of the litter box.

Some things that could cause me to spray or mark are you bringing home something new such as another cat, dog, baby, or furniture. If it's another pet then introduce us slowly. Let us get used to each other. Remember to let me know that you still love me. I will need lots of your attention to accept this change. If you bring home a new family member, have me acclimated to the smells and sounds that accompany them. Still make sure that you give me lots of attention. I need to be assured of my place in your home and hearts. If there are cats outside, they may be in our yard, marking our yard: saying' This is mine, I'm taking it from you.' Well, this is my yard not theirs so I have to let the cats out there know that this is mine by peeing on windows, glass doors, and anywhere I think they will notice. You can help me feel secure by getting rid of the cats out there. Find out who they belong to and tell their owners so they can keep them closer to their home. If they are strays, you can call a local humane society. If you cannot keep the cats away, then block my vision of them. You can put newspaper, foil or reflective tape over the window so I cannot see them. I will not spray unless I have to.

After finding out what is bothering me, it will be important to clean the areas that I marked with a special enzymatic cleaner that is specially made to take away the scent. If I continue to smell my mark there, I may continue to mark it. You may have to keep me away from that area for a while, 'out of sight, out of mind.' There is also a natural pheromone spray called Feliway, which can be very calming to some cats and reduces the urge to spray and mark. If you spray this around the areas that I have marked because I was uneasy, it may calm me. I need you to help me solve my uneasiness. I need you to help me feel secure. I don't want to lose anything, especially you.