2006-11-21 23:11:07 · 17 answers · asked by bigbum 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
You should rename her Mrs Emery!
2006-11-21 23:13:23 · answer #1 · answered by jg655 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Firstly get her checked by the Vet in case it's medical. From experience with my cat who has the same problem i'd say it may be behavioural. Normally this kind of stuff can be a result of distress - moving, other cats in the neighbourhood, new furniture, new people in the house etc. Can you pin point her behaviour to anything new or that's changed? Speak to your vet about solutions if you think this isn't the case. There is Feliway liquid which contains pheremones which are meant to help - you can get this is a spray and also in a plug in format. Another solution if you try this and it doesnt work is a prescription drug called Clomicalm - for dogs but is also used for cats. My cat is on 1/2 tablet every other day and this makes her calmer and has also totally stopped the weeing. In the meantime make sure you clean the areas with something like surgical spirit or a specialist pet cleaner as normal disinfectants can encourage more marking and weeing. Hope this helps. A. x
2006-11-21 23:38:13 · answer #2 · answered by Abbie C 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It does sound like your cat might need to go and see the vet. Very often, spraying is a result of some kind of urinary tract infection as cats get older.
However, could also be that this is a sign of stress or an attention seeking device for your cat. Ask yourself if anything has changed in your home recently (a new partner or baby) - it could be something as simple as a change in cat litter or an air freshener that contains too much ammonia.
If your cat is doing this in front of you, see it as an attempt to get your attention. Whatever you do, don't scold your cat. Cats can't generally differentiate between 'good' attention and 'negative' attention - in other words, any response is a good thing - she's getting fuss from you in one way or another.
The best way to deal with a spraying cat is two-fold.
1. Immediately - do not react and then clean it up thoroughly!
If you can try and distract your cat mid-spray without shouting, give it a go - ie throw a cushion into an opposite corner of the room - as long as she's not associating the noise as coming from you, its fine. Then gently remove your cat from the area.
You'll need to give the area (and all affected areas from previous accidents) a really really good clean - once a cat has sprayed in an area, they will usually spray in the same area again - even the tiniest drop will act as a trigger.
The only thing that will really shift the stench of cat urine is:
1. wash the area with a strong solution of biological washing powder and water (1 part powder, 6 parts water)
2. rinse the area clean with a fairy liquid solution - the washing powder will leave a white residue otherwise
3. spray the area with surgical spirit - you can buy this from the chemist and will need to decant it into a spritzer bottle. Surgical spirit will mask any previous smells and eradicate any traces of urine that may remain.
Finally, take an item of your own cat's bedding etc and rub it all over the clean (and dry) area - this will transfer your cat's smell onto the area and help to soothe your cat.
You can also buy synthetic cat 'hormones' - in the form of Feliway - either as a spray bottle (which can be sprayed onto the area after its dried) or as a plug in diffuser. These will help to soothe your cat in the home and help stop the stress trigger.
2. Solving the problem
Its really key (having ruled out urinary problems first) to try and alleviate the source of the problem (usually environmental such as a new cat in her territory or an upset to her usual routine / surroundings etc...)
A common problem is rival moggies - it might be that a neighbour's cat is spraying in your back garden or on your back door - in which case, clean the areas well and try using a repellent like Lion's Roar in your garden to deter intruders (its natural and so won't harm animals or children). Its quite common that a cat is made to feel insecure by other dominant animals in their territory, so watch your back door / garden to see if there's a new visitor.
Inside the home, try and create some spaces just for your cat - make sure her litter tray is always clean and in a private space. If she doesn't have a litter tray - introduce one - it might be that she doesn't feel secure going to the toilet outside any longer.
Make sure she has plenty of places to rest and hide - cats instinctively like to be higher up - it makes them feel safe. Maybe create a few 'cat-safe zones' in your home (blankets on unused shelves, via radiator beds...).
Also, try and limit the space your cat has access to - shut doors to rooms (particularly areas with soft furnishings - it makes cleaning up easier). A smaller territory will help your cat to feel safe.
If she continues to spray, the vet may prescribe a drug called Clomicalm - this calms your pet and also reduces the need to drink and so urinate and is hugely effective in most cases.
Best to get her checked first though - and good luck - stick with it - she's trying to tell you something!
2006-11-22 00:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by Charliecat2980 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She has a health problem and needs to see the vet. She can't control her wees and this may be beyond treatment already. Cats hide pain very well so unless you get her professional attention soon, she will have to struggle on. Don't allow that - its not her fault.
2006-11-22 01:37:39 · answer #4 · answered by PetLover 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with MaryS. That is what we did with our 2 year old cat and our 2 month old kitten. It might take a while and yes, the older cat might swat or hiss at the kitten (or more unlikey, but definetly possible, the kitten could swat or hiss at the adult cat), but after going very slow about it and then letting them ajust a little bit, they should be fine.
2016-05-22 13:47:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly you need to work out if anything could be upsetting her. Has something changed around the house? A new pet or family member?
If you can find no reason for stress, then I would go and get her checked out by the vet, there may well be a medical reason her behaviour has changed.
2006-11-21 23:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by Doozer B 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Take kitty to vet to determine if it is a medical or behaviour problem. A symptom of urinary tract infection is not using litterbox. It is curable. Vet just does a urinalysis, cost about $30.
2006-11-21 23:47:00 · answer #7 · answered by hello 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is it possible for you to monitor amount is being urinated. ie put polyroll under her..... If it's little tiny droplets, then definitely go to vets, maybe FLUTDS (feline lower urinary tract disorder), don't hope it will go away, My male neutered cat has recently gone through this and is still trying to recover (after blocking 3 times).
2006-11-21 23:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by jeanette s 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Get yourself a spay bottle and some white vinegar. Spray the areas she is most likely to go with the vinegar, the smell dissipates as the vinegar dries, then take that same spray bottle and fill it with water. If the cat still sprays, spray her when you catch her, if done consistently this should deter her. If it continues take her to the vet, she may have a urinary problem.
2006-11-21 23:24:02 · answer #9 · answered by fallingtear1 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Might want to check with a vet as maybe she is having urinary tract infections. Many cats get them.
2006-11-21 23:13:14 · answer #10 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
DO NOT RUB HER NOSE IN IT. EVEN WHEN U ARE TRAINING AN ANIMAL THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT. ... YOUR CAT HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HER U NEED TO TAKE HER TO A VET ASAP. IT SOUNDS LIKE A URINARY TRACT INFECTION, BUT IT COULD ALSO BE THE BEGINNING OF KIDNEY FAILURE
2006-11-21 23:16:08 · answer #11 · answered by pwabit1 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋