Popularity: 87% [?]

Tomcats spray urine as a means of chemical communication and to mark their territory. This activity, which may be under taken by both entire and castrated males, should be differentiated from normal micturition and abnormal urination associated with Urinary Tract Infections. When spraying, a cat holds its rump high with the tail erect and the tip of the tail quivers. Treading movements are also often seen as the spray, usually about 1 ml, is sent back onto a vertical surface in short jets. Spraying indoors may be triggered by the presence of rival cats, social upheaval (including home decoration) or the loss of human or animal companions.

Castration of entire males usually diminishes or stops spraying and makes the urine less pungent smelling. It is, however, not universally effective; rates of effectiveness have been reported to be around 78%. The administration of progestagens is sometimes effective in both entire and neutered cats. Medication can be given intermittently or continuously. The mode of action is thought to be through negative feedback on the hypothalamus and through calming effects in the cerebral cortex. The use of sedative or psychoactive drugs may also be of help in the short term, while environmental and behavior modification are introduced.

Cat owners should be discouraged from punishing the tomcat in any way after spraying, since this can exacerbate the situation. On the other hand, if the cat can be caught in the act, direct punishment (a jet of water from a water pistol) or a suitable object that, when thrown, physically disrupts the behavior, can be very effective. Cats caught spraying can also be deterred by an unexpected noise, such as that produced by an alarm or throwing a bunch of keys for example.

Popularity: 71% [?]

Does your cat attack your other pets? Does it attack the new cat you brought home? Or does it fight with your pet dog? Animal behaviorists have different names for each of these behaviors. When kitty attacks your pet mouse, or the bird in the garden, it’s called predatory aggression. It is just following its natural instinct to hunt for prey. Unfortunately, it is difficult to stop this kind of behavior. The best you can do is put a collar with a bell on your cat. This will keep it from sneaking up on its prey. You should also keep your other smaller pets (like your pet hamster) away from your cat.

Fear aggression is yet another instinctive behavior. How do you recognize when kitty is frightened? It hisses, bares its teeth, and crouches low with its tail and legs tucked under its body. It flattens its ears against the head, the pupils dilate, and the fur stands on end. To the person triggering this reaction, it almost seems as if your cat has doubled in size. Just the same as a puffer fish doubling its size to frighten its enemies away. Push kitty any further and it may attack.

So, what can you do? For a start, you should not try to pet or console your cat when it displays this frightened yet aggressive behavior. Petting your cat in this situation not only could get you hurt, it reinforces in kitty that this behavior is okay. You do not want this to happen. Even though it seems uncaring, it is better to ignore kitty in this mood.

Where possible, you want to gradually desensitize kitty towards this trigger. Treat it like a phobia in a human being. Expose kitty to the fear trigger a safe distance away for short periods of time, and reward it with treats when it does not show aggressive behavior. Once it gets used to the trigger at a certain distance, gradually decrease the distance. Eventually, like a human being, your cat will stop being afraid.

The other kind of aggression which causes kitty to attack other animals is called territorial aggression. This mean that kitty will chase or fight with the new cat which you bring home. It is trying to protect its territory. If this happens, you will need to take their introduction to each other slowly.

First, you need to confine both of them to their own quarters. Let them hear and smell each other, but do not allow any physical contact.

Once they get used to each other like this, switch their quarters. Let kitty investigate the newcomer’s smell, and let the newcomer investigate kitty’s smell and its new home.

After this, place them in the same room, but at opposite ends of the room. Let them eat, in order to condition them to associate food with each other’s presence.

Slowly bring then closer to each other.

Finally, free them from their carriers and feed them, while making sure they cannot attack each other.

If they eat their food and remain calm at this stage, then you are successful. Be warned that this could take weeks and even months.

In the end, there is no single way of keeping your cat from attacking another animal. You need to be patient and use a complete process.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Having your cat urinating all over your home can be extremely troublesome. Especially when it happens after you thought you had successfully litter trained your cat. Rather than getting angry, it may be more appropriate for you to be worried. You should strongly consider taking kitty for a check-up at the vet. There are a number of diseases which can cause your cat to suddenly start urinating uncontrollably. One of these diseases is a urinary tract infection which could be potentially fatal if left untreated. As a matter of fact, any sudden change in kitty’s behavior merits a visit to the vet, just in case.

While kitty peeing outside the litter box is an obvious clue, you should also be on alert about your cat’s urination habits. If you notice kitty making more trips to the litter box than normal, or releasing a greater than usual volume of urine, or its urine having a different smell, etc, all these are warning signs of illness. If you truly love your cat, then you need to be vigilant about its health.

Once ill health has been ruled out, you need to look into environmental factors. The most obvious one is moving house. There are one or two cat owners who somehow failed to realize that their cats became confused and could not find the litter box in their new homes. Or simply did not like the new location of the litter box. In any case, if you move house, be prepared to litter train your cat all over again.

Any number of factors could cause stress to your cat and cause it to urinate away from its litter box, even something as subtle as a change in your working schedule. On the one hand, this is rather inconvenient to you. On the other hand, a part of me would be happy, because this shows that kitty misses me and cares about me. It’s nice to know that you are more than just the person who fills kitty’s food dish, isn’t it? Anyway, if you cannot remove the cause of kitty’s stress, you will just have to toilet train your cat again. Besides this, you may want to learn cat massage. Just like for humans, massage can soothe away some of your cats’s stress. If all else fails, you may need to get a something from your vet to help soothe kitty. However, I strongly advise against aromatherapy or the use of massage oils unless your vet can recommend a safe brand. Cats are often sensitive to such oils and scents. There have been cases of poisoning reported.

Something that few people think about is the litter. Just because you still buy the same brand does not mean the manufacturer is still making the litter exactly the same. There could be major or even just minor changes to the final end product, and it could be noticeable to your cat. Remember that its sense of touch and smell is much better than yours.

The problem could even be the litter box. Are your cat still using the same litter box as when it was a kitten? Or has your cat grown old… You may need to try a different-sized litter box.

Did I mention that smell is important? Did you change the cleaner you used to wash the litter box? Are you cleaning the area around the litter box with a different cleaner? Perhaps kitty hates the smell of the new cleaning product and that is why it is urinating elsewhere. Or did you use a different cleaning product for your house. The new cleaner could be confusing kitty.

Your cat is a sensitive creature of habit. First, you need to eliminate health problems as the cause of your cat’s urination problem. After that, it takes time and patience and loving care to investigate the cause of the problem. A case study published by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (JAVMA, Vol 224, No. 10, May 15, 2004) reported that they took several years to resolve the problem. Partly it was because the cat in question had health problems. The vet needed to try different medications which would both clear up the medical conditions as well as not cause the cat to urinate uncontrollably. At the same time, there was no stability in the home environment. The owner got a divorce, and found a new boyfriend. And apparently some stray cats moved into the neighborhood.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Playtime with your cat can quickly become unpleasant if kitty starts biting you. Although biting and scratching is a normal part of cat behavior, a properly socialized cat knows how to control its strength. It does not usually bite or scratch to the point of drawing blood. There are several reasons why your cat can lack this self-control, and knowing why is the first step to controlling the problem.

When young kittens are taken away from their mothers too early, they fail to learn to control the strength of their biting and scratching. A kitten which spends enough time with its mother and litter mates quickly learns that biting its playmates too hard causes playtime to end. Kittens without this social skill, on the other hand, grow up into cats which bite and scratch too hard. Many owners tend to make this condition worse. When playing with their kitten or cat, they inadvertently do things which further encourage this behavior. These actions encourage and cement this behavior of biting and scratching in their cats.

This, then, is one key to controlling this playtime aggression. When kitty bites or scratches too hard, you should stop playing with it. Just ignore it - do not pay attention and do not punish your cat. Eventually, it will learn that biting and scratching too hard will lead to the end of playtime. Exactly the same as a young kitten with its mother and litter mates.

Now, sometimes it seems that both you and kitty are spending some quality time together. Both of you are having fun playing, when your cat suddenly becomes violent and bites and scratches you. There does not seem to be any reason for this sudden aggression. Some animal behaviorists believe that this happens because you have over-stimulated kitty and it is now channeling that into aggressive behavior. Regardless of the actual cause, there is agreement that there are two steps you need to take to handle this problem:

• Be aware of your cat’s behavior during playtime. Before it starts to bite and scratch you, there will be a change of behavior - ears flattening, fur standing up, body hunching, etc. This is your window.
• Stop petting or playing with kitty when you notice the change in behavior. Just stop - ignore your cat and go about your own business. This will usually defuse your cat’s aggression.
• Note that this is a bit different from a kitten taken away from its mother while too young. An under-socialized kitten always bites and scratches too hard during playtime.

Cats are hunters. This is their natural instinct, and you will often see these characteristics when you play with kitty. You will see them hunched down to their belly, stalking their toy or a mouse or cockroach before pouncing on it. This can be a problem when they decide to ambush you when you are doing your chores, or just as you are going to bed. Your cat biting when under the control of its hunting instinct can be particularly painful. One way of controlling this problem is to have at least two or three regularly scheduled playtimes with kitty. You want to bleed off its excess energy regularly.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Is your cat constantly meowing? A cat meowing can sure get irritating, especially since it usually gets louder when they don’t get what they want.

However, a cat doesn’t just meow to hear themselves. They are trying to get a message across. What is your cat trying to tell you? Well, here are a few things that could be going through their head.

Why Do Cats Meow?

There are a number of reasons why cats meow. Usually it is either when they are hungry or when they want to be let in or out of the home. However, other common reasons include:

1. Attention

2. They are in distress

Depending upon what is wrong with your cat, the meow will be slightly different. If they would like to go out for example, then the pitch of the meow will be lower usually than it would if your cat would like to be fed. The pitch of the meow will also depend entirely upon how badly the cat wants something. The more impatient they become, the louder the meow will be. By listening to your cat you will soon learn to distinguish between the different types of meow. That will then help you to determine what your cat actually wants.

How to Stop Constant Meowing

It doesn’t matter why your cat is meowing; all meowing is done to gain your attention. So don’t ignore your cat if you want to sort the problem out. Look at what you think they may need. Is it feeding time? If so then try to feed them before they remind you. It is always better to have a set routine as that way your cat will know what feeding time is and you will have the food ready and waiting for them; reducing their need to meow for food!

If you know that your cat isn’t hungry, try playing with them. Perhaps they are simply feeling a little lonely and they would like your attention? By stroking them little and often you will be giving them the attention that they need.

Another excellent way to stop constant meowing is installing a cat flap. Most of the time your cat is likely to want to come in, or go out of your home. They often want to go out and then come back in almost straight away. So to save yourself from having to get up every two minutes, installing a cat flap would really help. That way your cat could come and go as it pleases and the meowing would stop.

Overall, there are a large number of reasons why your cat might be trying to get your attention. If all else fails then it would be a good idea to take your cat to the vets. It could be that your pet has an hidden illness that is causing them pain. Your vet will be able to look them over and give you advice on what could be the problem. If you follow these tips then you should easily be able to solve your cats meowing problem.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Litter training is a simple solution to the alternative which is running over and letting them out of the house whenever they need to relieve themselves. Then, you have to hope you are home during these times. Yes, a litter trained cat is much easier to live with.

However, litter trays can be messy to clean and they can also start to smell too. For that reason, many owners often look into different ways of housetraining their cat. One method which seems to be popular with some owners is toilet training. Here you will find the top five ways to toilet train your cat. It may sound silly, but toilet training might actually be the best thing that you ever teach your cat!

1. Litter train with Newspaper

Before you can toilet train your cat, they first need to be litter trained. Ideally you should provide them with a solid box and newspaper to cover up their business. You should not use actual kitty litter as this will not flush down the toilet when it comes time to toilet train the cat. So using newspaper is the best idea.

2. Gradually Move the Litter Tray

Since cats are creatures of habit it is not a good idea to move their box quickly. They may lose where it is or refuse to use it at all. So, you will have to move the box in stages. Think of the box as if it were walking to the toilet. Everyday scoot the box a little closer to the toilet. (Or whenever you notice your cat is comfortable to where you moved it previously.)

3. Lowering The Sides Of The Litterbox

There is quite a difference between the toilet and the litter tray and your cat will definitely be able to tell the difference! So you need to start trimming down the sides of the litter tray. If you are using a strong cardboard box then this shouldn’t be too difficult. However you should obviously be careful if you are using a plastic tray!

Remember as you move the box lower the edges. Do this gradually so that kitty doesn’t notice you disrupting their everyday routine.

4. Place the Tray in the Toilet

Now that you have done all the past three steps and the box has gradually made it’s way to the toilet. You are now ready to put the box into the toilet. You will do this by tying the box inside of the toilet. Make sure when you tie the box inside the toilet that it is tied tight. If it were to fall in while your cat was using it, it will scare them and they may never come to use it again. Now it’s time for a little patience. Leave the box in the toilet until you notice your cat has become completely comfortable with the new situation. When your cat has adjusted then, move on to step five.

5. Cut a Hole in the Tray

The last step is simple. Just cut a hole in the bottom of the box. This is so kitty gets use to the water at the bottom of the toilet, and whatever kitty does will fall into the toilet. After kitty adjusts to this you can remove the box all together, and your cat will be toilet trained, and you a happy cat owner.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Has your cat recently started to act a little strange? Perhaps it has started to act a little aggressively towards you or other family members? Or maybe it has become fearful of something or someone for no apparent reason? Whatever the strange behavior, it is important to get to the bottom of it before it develops any further.

What most cat owners don’t know is that the sudden changes in their cats behavior could be a result of stress. If you are like most cat owners and are not sure how to help your feline friend then here is a little helpful advice.

Understanding Stress in Cats

Cats just like many other beings are vulnerable to stressful situations. Any event that comes on suddenly changing your cats environment or someone new joining the household can cause serious stress to your cat. Some cats take on the change with little or no behaviorial issues at all, however most cats do not react this way. Most cats feel threatened and display these insecurities by being aggressive, or withdrawn. No matter how minor the change could be, most likely your cat is going to feel stressed out and react to it. Some of the changes that stress out your cat include: Moving, and not only moving to a different house, but also just moving furniture around in your home. (Especially if its their cat stuff you’re moving.) Another stressful event is when a new member joins the family whether it be a new person moving in or a new pet.

However, after you’ve considered all the stressors above and have concluded that neither of these could be the reasoning behind your cats stress, then it’s crucial that you take your feline friend to a vet. Because change is not the only reason for a cats behaviorial problems it’s important to rule out illness. Yes, illness could be one of the reasons your cat is acting strangely.When a cat is ill they cannot tell you the what is wrong with them so their behaviors will change in hopes you will notice or just because of the pain they’re in.

Once you have found the cause of your cat’s stress, you can then focus on dealing with the problem.

How to Deal with Feline Stress

How you deal with your cat’s stress will depend entirely upon what it is that your cat is stressed about. Sometimes patience is the best remedy and this is especially the case when you move homes. Start by placing the cat in one room and allow it to become familiar with the house gradually. By giving the cat its own room, it will start to feel safer in there and when it does feel threatened once it is exposed to the rest of the house, it will automatically go into ‘its’ room to relax.

For other stressors or when your patience is wearing thin you could always go to commercial products to assist you. One product which is call ‘Rescue Remedies’ which includes the ingredient Bach Flower Essence is used to assist in letting your cat relax a bit. This product is not only used for cats, but many other animals and even for humans. This is how it works when it comes to cats. You will put 2-3 drops in their drinking water. This is a quick and simple way to relieve a little cat stress. At times cats will not drink the water with this product in it because it can taste the acohol content. If this is the case you can put the rememdy behind their ears.

When dealing with your cats behavioral problems, first know that stress is a contibuting factor. So, if your cat is displaying any strange behaviors notice the recent changes or people that could be stressing out your cat.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Cat fights always seem to start through arguments over territory or a struggle for dominance. The areas they fight over tend to be high places or new furniture that has not been marked yet. We have two play stations - one about three foot six and one about four foot tall. There is often a spat over who will have the highest platform and it is usually Louie our red Somali, who appears to be more dominant. In a cats hierarchy the higher the cat is physically, the more dominant the cat is.

These battles are really no more than spats. A quick paw and a hefty growl may well let the invader know “this is no time for revolution”. Fights seem to be more apparent if there is a change in the weather. We have always felt that Louies’ territory is the garden. He loves to hunt and he spends a lot of time out there. Ellie, our blue Burmese on the other hand, spends time in the house where she is close to people. When it rains Lou gets pretty melancholy. Hr cant go out so now he’s also got to share the house with Ellie. This means those territory boundaries have got to be fought over all over again.

Another time fights started was when our patterns of behaviour changed. It can have an effect on the cats. For example, the main bedroom had always been Ellie’s territory. This is probably because as a Burmese Ellie always needs to be where the people of the house are. This didn’t bother Lou so much. Also Ellie enjoyed the warmth of the bed. Lou on the other hand had a thick fur coat to keep him warm so was not enticed. However for some reason we started giving them treats last thing at night. Treats which Lou was absolutely bonkers about. Suddenly the bedroom was the place to be. We then began to notice fights breaking out (instigated by Lou) just as we were going to bed. Again, a case of “this town aint big enough for the both of us.” Don’t get me wrong these fights are infrequent but what I want to emphasize is, if you look close enough you will see patterns that you can remedy. We started to give them their treats in a separate room. This did the trick nicely.

It is difficult to know when they are fighting or playing. Most of the time play is obvious. They will chase each other around the house; thunder up and down the stairs; and even play hide and seek behind the furniture. This is great to see and a reflection of how they get on most of the time. But there are times when tempers seem strained and there is more than just play in the air.

These times we have found are usually accompanied by low, long fearsome growls, tails erect and bushy, bodies confrontative in the prone position, ears flat and back on their heads. Where tussles which started out as roly poly turn fighting which creates a frightened squeal from one or the other. Simple chasing turns to stalking with an ulterior and aggressive motive.

We were advised by our breeder that this fighting was usually over territory and dominance and therefore they had to work it out for themselves. The philosophy being the loser will submit, the victor will gain dominance, and the fighting will cease quite quickly. Which it does tend to do. If you intervene you prevent the natural progression taking place and it will only start again (as Mother Nature says it must).

But it is difficult sometimes to listen to one of the cat when she sounds frightened or either in pain. We were advised that the time to intervene was when one of the cats is cornered. So this is what we do.

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