Difference between marks and normal urination
To deal with the problem, you need to understand what the cat is doing: shitting or marking. The methods of dealing with this will vary greatly.
How cats mark territory
The marking process is completely different from the “usual little things” that a cat does. If you see that he turns his back, lifts his tail and shakes it, then know: now your pet will mark his territory.
Cats prefer to choose tall objects, such as table legs or cabinets. Jambs and walls may be caught in the crosshairs.
So, the cat stands upright on all fours, straightens up and raises its tail. After this, you can follow a sharp short stream that will emit a strong odor.
An unpleasant aroma accompanies the secretion, which indicates that the cat is mature enough for the process of procreation.
How cats and kittens pee
Owners often see cats marking territory in the apartment, but this process does not apply to simple urination. Normal urination occurs in a certain position, by which you can easily distinguish whether a cat is peeing or marking. If the animal sits with its hind legs spread wide and its tail raised, it means that the normal process of urination is occurring.
If a cat pees while standing, with its tail raised, and releases urine with short, rare movements, these are marks. As a rule, tags have a pungent odor that is very difficult to remove. Normal urine has an unpleasant strong odor only in case of illness.
Other methods of weaning a cat
It is sometimes virtually impossible to wean a stubborn adult cat from marking its territory, even using castration. A proven method of psychological influence can help solve the problem. Its essence is to use the pet’s innate instincts against itself.
By their nature, cats are the leaders of the pack, so they mark the boundaries of their possessions, showing their importance in this way.
In nature, lions and many other large felines act in a similar way.
In nature, power is distributed simply. If a young male comes to the marked territory, then there will be a battle between him and the leader, the winner of which will become the new owner of these possessions. Domestic cats, although they do not look as menacing as tigers and lions, behave similarly. The owner can wean his pet from marking if he marks the captured area with his scent, for example, sweat or cologne. Then you should follow this algorithm:
- closely monitor your pet;
- when the cat wants to mark the territory, grab his scruff;
- lifting the animal into the air, look into its eyes and growl;
- With the other hand, lightly pat the cat’s ears, showing aggression.
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Using a psychological method of influencing a pet, a person does not harm it, but shows who is in charge. If the algorithm is performed correctly, the cat will begin to meow pitifully and hide its head. After winning, you need to let him go, but roar after him a couple of times. The above steps will help to wean the cat from marking objects, but you should carefully wipe off the marked areas with special means and replace them with your own scent. In this case, the animal will understand that the person is the boss of the house and will no longer feel like a leader. The method may seem funny and a little cruel, but it has already helped many owners of stubborn cats who, even with the help of castration, could not wean their cats from marking their territory.
Can a cat mark its territory?
Often, owners of female cats wonder whether a cat can mark territory? Yes, this happens too. This is a physiological process that the animal cannot control.
Territory marking in cats occurs for two main reasons: during the period of heat or when another cat appears on its territory. This manifests itself especially often when living in private houses, where other people’s cats and cats visit the property.
Cats mark in a certain position - crouching, twitching their tail and sometimes shifting on their hind or front legs. At the same time, urine with secretions and hormones is released. Its smell differs from the smell from the tray, but not as much as the male's mark.
During heat, a cat tries to attract a gentleman with its scent. This instinct is inherent in nature, and you won’t be able to get rid of it: you can only wait for this period to pass, or organize mating for the cat. Another solution would be to sterilize the pet.
When moving to a new apartment or house, a cat may try to identify its territory and begin to mark, even if it has not done so before. Repair or partial replacement of objects surrounding your pet can also cause territory to be marked.
What do cat marks look like?
Cat marks usually look like puddles, drips or splashes. If the animal has marked walls or vertical objects, the owner will find marks in the form of splashes and drips. Cats leave puddles if they mark carpets, rugs, or urinate on the floor. On a light wall or soft upholstery, the mark will have a yellowish tint. It is more difficult to detect urine on a dark surface, such as carpet.
Can a neuter mark?
Neutered cats can also mark, but for different reasons. The most common one is that a cat who has marked before may do so out of old habit. This phenomenon is temporary, and if it drags on, you can fight it.
The normal period of marking after castration is about three months. But if after 3-4 months the marks have not subsided, it is necessary to wean the cat from the bad habit.
It is very important to understand the difference between how cats mark and how they pee - perhaps your pet is not marking at all, but simply going to the toilet. It is worth paying attention to the fact that your pet underwent surgery, and he had a hard time with it.
Another option is that the cat began to shit out of resentment for the operation and painful condition, but this happens more often in adult cats. Young individuals tolerate castration very easily.
If the operation took place a long time ago, and the cat suddenly began to mark, you should carefully monitor him. These are most likely not marks, but urination, and it may be associated with illness.
Weaning a young pet from tagging
After purchasing a kitten, you need to understand that from the age of six months it can begin to mark. Because of this, it is necessary to know in advance how to deal with this problem before it occurs. If it is extremely difficult to wean an adult pet without surgery, then a kitten can be dealt with without castration.
If the cat begins to mark the territory, it is necessary to be strict and show who is the owner of the room. Kittens are very susceptible to roughness and can easily be left psychologically traumatized by mishandling.
If you don’t do much with the kitten and don’t show interest or attention to it, it may start putting marks on its owner’s bed and things. You can correct the situation with games, affection and care.
There is only one reason for the marks - puberty
There is a big difference between the way cats mark and the way they just pee. Marking is an instinctive action. It is established by nature and controlled by sex hormones. It is impossible to wean a cat from marking, just like it is impossible to wean a cat from eating or breathing.
The desire to mark is an instinct tied to sexual hunting.
During puberty, that is, at approximately 7-8 months, the cat demonstrates its need to mate. For this reason, he can begin to mark not only walls with furniture, but also the things of the male owner. The fact is that cats distinguish the smell of human hormones and thus try to eliminate the smell of another male in the apartment in case there is a cat at home.
A cat can mark a person in order to show his love and the fact that the owner is now the property of the cat, so that other cats do not encroach on him.
Territory marking is provided by nature and is an integral part of cat instincts. In an apartment, the animal marks when a strange cat or at least the smell of a strange cat appears on the territory. When living in a private house, be prepared that your cat will “fight” with other cats for the front door and constantly mark it and the surfaces around it.
The owner should carefully observe the behavior of his pet and clearly understand when the cat marks, which shows natural instincts, and when it simply pees, which can mean a demonstration of character, anger, or resentment. Frequent urination can be a warning sign of health problems.
New pet in the house
Cats have natural instincts, so the presence of other animals in the house can affect their behavior. The pet will begin to mark the corners of the apartment as proof that he is the owner, even if castration was carried out shortly before.
It is extremely problematic to wean a cat from marking objects without driving out another animal. Sometimes you even have to divide the territory between them. Only the owner’s attention and time can help here. Gradually, the pet will get used to the new neighbor and stop being mischievous . There is no point in punishing him and shouting for his misdeeds. This behavior will only aggravate the situation, especially if it concerns an adult cat.
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Why does a cat pee (not mark) in the wrong place?
Before you think about how to stop a cat from marking territory in the house, it is better to make sure that the problem really lies in the marks. Perhaps the cat has other motives for behavior and does not mark at all, but pees.
This may be due to a number of reasons, including certain diseases.
Diseases of the genitourinary system
One of these diseases is urolithiasis. It becomes unpleasant and even painful for the cat to urinate, and he begins to search for a “convenient” place for this process. The litter box is associated with discomfort and pain, so the animal avoids the usual toilet. If ICD is in an advanced stage, the cat may simply not have time to get to the tray and pee on the go.
It is easy to recognize diseases of the genitourinary system by the position in which the cat pees: hunched back, head down, muscle tension throughout the body, uncharacteristic position of the paws. Sometimes the animal may meow or even scream in pain.
There are other signs - cloudy urine, the presence of bloody discharge in the urine, frequent trips to the litter box, small portions of liquid when urinating. KSD also occurs in females, but males aged 7-8 years are more often affected.
Sometimes cats develop cystitis - a not so dangerous, but still unpleasant disease. The pet begins to urinate frequently and experiences severe pain. In some cases, the temperature rises and the animal generally appears lethargic and unhealthy.
Problems with the tray
Sometimes a cat shits in the wrong places because the litter tray doesn't fit him. This may be due to the high sides, over which the cat is uncomfortable or too lazy to jump over to go to the toilet. The animal may also not like the shape and design of the accessory. This often happens if the owners bought a pot model that is very different from the previous one.
Another option is that the owner had to change the brand or composition of the filler, and now the animal is at a loss and experiencing discomfort. It is worth changing the filler gradually: start mixing the new type with the old one, gradually changing the proportion towards the new product.
The third reason is quite banal: the cat is very clean, and he does not like the tray once used. There are three ways out:
- clean the potty after each cat trip;
- purchase an expensive self-cleaning tray or a tray with absorbent filters;
- have several trays.
The most important thing is not to make drastic changes in your pet’s toilet. Then the transition to a new tray or filler will be painless.
Stress, new place
You shouldn’t look for the reason why a cat is furiously marking its territory if you decide to let another animal into the apartment. Your pet will not only experience severe stress, but will also begin to prove with all his might that he is the owner of this house. This behavior is typical of uncastrated animals, but some operated individuals also begin to prove their superiority. All you can do is prove their equality and try to make friends.
It may also happen that a friend or loved one comes to visit you. Animal instincts will take over a cat that smells strange odors in its house. Of course, some time will pass, and the beast itself will understand that no one is trying to harm it. Only after that will he stop shitting.
Some animals have a hard time with the birth of a child (especially the first child) in the family. All attention is paid to him, the way of life changes, and the animal shows its displeasure. There is no need to rush to give the cat away - with the right approach, he will soon understand and accept the situation, and puddles will stop appearing in the apartment.
Perhaps you moved to a new apartment or gave away your cat for a while so that it could be looked after while you are away. Don’t be surprised that the cat is marking his territory – he may be quite frightened by the current situation. All that is required of you is to create conditions in which the animal will regain its former comfort and sense of calm.
Revenge or desire to attract attention
Cats can be touchy, vindictive and even aggressive. They cannot express their complaints to the owner, they cannot demonstratively fold their paws crosswise and leave. Furry ones have their own measures of influence and demonstration of their discontent. They may leave puddles or piles in the wrong place, trying to express aggression or resentment. Sometimes the message is addressed personally to one family member, and then the cat pees in the recipient’s shoes, bag, or other things.
In other cases, walking past the tray is just an attempt to attract attention from the owners. Perhaps the pet is not being petted enough (in his opinion), he wants to walk/play, or is sad alone while all family members go to work or study. In this case, you need to watch the cat and try to compare the time of appearance of the puddles with some factor - it will turn out to be the true cause of the problem.
How to find cat marks
You can find cat marks in your favorite places: animals most often leave marks on walls, wallpaper, furniture, shoes, and clothes. A specific smell will lead to a “crime scene.”
However, some individuals manage to mark territory in hard-to-reach places, complicating timely detection. In this case, an ultraviolet lamp will come to the rescue. A light source with a wavelength of 365-385 nm or a flashlight with an LED lamp will help identify traces of cat urine. It is best to search for tags in the dark. When illuminated with a lamp or flashlight, cat urine appears as a glowing yellow, greenish neon stain.
This is what cat marks look like under a lamp
How to wean a cat from marking territory in an apartment and peeing in the wrong place
There are several ways to prevent a cat from marking in an apartment or even in a private house. It is necessary to select a method for each animal based on its behavior, irritating factors, health status and characteristics of the breed.
Castrate or sterilize
Upon reaching puberty, that is, at the age of about 7-8 months, the cat begins to mark, and the owners are wondering what to do about it. Hormonal manifestations can be eliminated by castration or sterilization. Castration of males and females is considered more effective, since all genital organs are removed, and there is no risk of restoration of their functions.
It is better to carry out the operation before the onset of puberty, so that the animal’s hormonal levels do not have time to change. In addition, an early neutered cat will not be able to understand what marks are, and therefore will not leave them in the house or apartment.
Knit regularly
In the event that offspring are still planned, the animal must be regularly bred with the opposite sex - then the animal will have fewer reasons for marking.
A bad option is to breed the animal once and then castrate it. The male and female remember the state of sexual heat and are able to return to it from time to time. This means that the marks will appear again and again, and the pet will also experience psychological distress.
It remains to decide: either you breed your pet regularly, or, upon reaching the required age, take it for castration or sterilization.
Cure the disease
If, as a result of observations of the cat and its behavior, a suspicion of genitourinary diseases arises, it is necessary to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can prescribe treatment.
In advanced forms of the disease, hospitalization or surgery may be required. Most often, males suffer from genitourinary problems due to natural and physiological characteristics. The cat may be prescribed a series of tests, as well as a diet or special medicated food.
Some diseases have nothing to do with the genitourinary system at all, but can affect the animal’s trips to the tray. After treatment, the recovered pet will begin to use the potty as usual.
Solve the problem with the tray
If you notice that the cat has stopped visiting the tray after replacing it or replacing the filler, you need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. If nothing has changed, check the tray itself - perhaps it should be washed thoroughly to eliminate the smell that is unpleasant for the cat. Do not overdo it with perfumes and chemical flavors - the cat will not like them.
Adjust behavior
Behavior correction will be effective only if the owner has adequately assessed the problem, developed a strategy for solving it, and is ready to move towards the goal step by step with patience and self-control.
Cats adapt very slowly: it is more difficult for them to fight bad habits, especially if they are associated with natural instincts.
The main techniques are praise after visiting the right place and a severe reprimand after an offense. In no case should you punish an animal or poke your nose into a puddle or pile - the cat will understand this in its own way, supposedly the owner does not like the very fact of defecation. You need to immediately take the offending comrade to the tray, scratch the litter with his paws - so that he understands exactly where his toilet is.
There are a couple of tricks if the cat cannot get used to its litter box:
- Place a rag soaked in animal urine in the pot. The smell will make it easier for your cat to find the litter box.
- Place the tray in the place that the kitty has chosen for herself. Move the pot 1 centimeter a day until you move it to the place you want.
- Wipe areas where your cat shits with citrus or lavender scented substances - cats cannot tolerate these odors.
There is another effective option for owners of private houses. If you see that the cat has marked his territory again, grab him by the scruff of the neck and look him in the eyes angrily. Try to create a couple of warlike roars, similar to the hissing of animals.
Usually the cat begins to get scared and tries to escape. From the outside it looks strange, but since cats are accustomed to living according to the principle of predators, it is necessary to show whose territory is here using “animal” behavior. Be sure that if you add a couple of frightening sounds, the animal will lose the desire to mark the territory of the house. He will leave all his passion for the street.
After your pet leaves the area, remove the tag and cover it with your scent, such as a T-shirt you wore to the gym or use another scented product that your pet won't like. With the help of this comical option, you can forever get rid of the cat’s unfortunate marks and disrespectful attitude towards you.
The problem will be resolved in any case if you show enough patience. The main thing is not to scare the cat away by swearing and to be consistent in your actions.
Eliminate resentment or stress
If it is possible to find out that the cat is offended by someone in the household or has suffered serious stress, it is necessary to help the pet cope with this condition and, if possible, eliminate all provoking factors.
If the stress factor is, for example, a new family member (a child or a relative who has arrived from afar), then the owner should arrange familiarization or reconciliation events so that the cat no longer feels discomfort from something new. It is forbidden to swear at an animal - this will not help, but will only worsen the condition of the furry one. A person’s task is to prove to his pet that everything is fine and even better than before.
Aids
To reduce stress, hormonal fluctuations and correct the behavior of cats, some breeders use sedatives, such as Kot Bayun, Stop Stress, Fitex. These herbal medicines are absolutely safe to use. They should not be used without consulting a veterinarian - individual intolerance and allergies are possible. In some cases, the drugs have the opposite effect and the cat becomes overexcited.
Some owners use hormonal drugs to suppress the sexual instinct of cats, such as Sex Barrier, CounterSex, Gestrenol. These drugs have a negative impact on health, like any hormonal contraceptives. They are prescribed by a veterinarian - and only in extreme cases.
Another type of means to discourage a cat from pooping is sprays for weaning or training. They have special smells that help the cat to better navigate and understand where it is possible to go to the toilet and where it is not.
New person in the house
From an early age, cats get used to their surroundings and know who belongs in the house. Some of them react well to guests, but there are times when the pet begins to mark corners and things due to the appearance of someone stranger in the house . Thus, he expresses his concern and shows the stranger where his territory begins.
It is very difficult to wean a cat from the habit of marking objects due to the arrival of a new family member. He believes that a stranger has come to seize the territory. For a pet, it doesn’t matter at all whether a baby has appeared in the house or a grandmother, since the essence of the problem lies in innate instincts. You can stop him from marking if a new family member shows him affection, but sometimes it’s better to wait a while. The cat may react hostilely to the invader and the situation will worsen.
Tag prevention
Experienced breeders and veterinary specialists recommend to cat owners
the following measures to prevent cat marks:
- Castration is the most effective method of prevention, provided that the operation to remove the gonads is done before the onset of puberty.
- Education is a less effective method in the fight against marks. However, if the pet does not naturally have strong male leadership qualities, then proper education can play a key role in the prevention of cat marks.
- Permanent residence in the house of a person of the opposite sex. Having an unsterilized cat does not guarantee that the cat will stop marking its territory, and there is a big problem associated with offspring.
Unfortunately, there is no 100% method of preventing a cat from leaving marks. You can combat the natural manifestations of instinct in an uncastrated animal by resorting to educational and hygienic measures.
