The PetStuff Online Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 2  October 22, 2000

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"Urine Spraying ~ Marking in Cats"

I don't know of any problem in cats that can turn owner-cat relationships "sour" faster than urine marking.   At least four or five times a week, I have a distressed cat owner either post a question on the bulletin board or come into the office "begging" for solutions.   My gosh, I have even seen it darn near cause a divorce!  Urine spraying constitutes 44% of all housesoiling complaints; the frequency of spraying in single cat households is approximately 25% and near to 100% in multi-cat households with over ten cats. With those staggering statistics in mind, we better get underway finding out why they do it and then look at how to solve the problem...

First, you have to decide: Is it normal urination outside of the litterbox or is it spraying?

Consider the history of the problem...

Which cat is doing it? Many times in multi-cat households the owners can't tell which cat is the culprit. This may be determined by isolating individual cats a few days at a time or administering an oral fluorescine dye and examining the urine marked areas with a black light. Fluorescine dye causes the urine to fluoresce under black light making it easy to identify the proper cat. 

Next how long it has been occurring? A one-time occurrence you will probably ignore. If it has been going on for five years it may be near to impossible to stop. Just because you bought a new carpet or home doesn't mean much to a Kitty who is not trained to use the litter box.

Lastly, you need to evaluate the "type" of urination that is occurring. Is the cat just avoiding or missing the litter box? This is not marking. Look at the image below of a cat in a normal urination position. Notice that the cat almost assumes a sitting position.    The rear legs are bowed out slightly and the tail is held rigidly - usually in a rearward position.  THIS IS NOT SPRAYING OR MARKING.  This is normal urination.

Normal Urination in the Cat

On the other hand, when marking, short spurts of urine are forcefully ejected on vertical surfaces like chair or table legs, walls, windows and drapes as seen below. On occasion, specific items like pillows, a single persons dirty clothes or favorite chair is singled out. Look at the posture. The cat is standing and twitches the near vertical tail and sometimes paws at the floor with the back paws.  THIS IS URINE MARKING OR SPRAYING.

Urine Spraying ~ Marking in the Cat

It also helps to determine where it is occurring.

Urine spraying occurs near doors or windows where cats can see outdoors, especially when strange cats are hanging around outside.

On other occasions, items belonging to a certain individual are singled out and sprayed. These objects are associated with a less than pleasurable experience for the cat.  Marking can be an expression of anger, stress or frustration!

Looking at this information, we should be able to tell whether the Kitty is simply urinating outside of the litterbox or if it is truly marking~spraying.

Some facts and reasons for urine spraying...

Urine spraying constitutes 44% of all the housesoiling complaints in cats.

It is quite normal behavior for the cat - it is just that we humans can't handle the smell and mess.

Most often it is sexually related - Tomcats spray during mating season or some queens do so to attract males during estrus.

Resident cats may scent mark or spray when:
(a) uncomfortable with the surroundings
(b) getting less than normal attention
(c) punishing someone
(d) there has been a change in routine
(e) there is overcrowding
(f) a new animal or human has been introduced

Urine Marking relates to "Stress"! 

Cats do not like change.  Change causes severe stress in cats. 

If cats feel stressed or insecure they spray!

The Remedies - Alter the response or modify the stimulus for spraying...

Establishing a desirable relationship
Vindictiveness is hard to prove but is very likely...  After scolding or the introduction of a new person/animal the cat may go jump up on your bed     or favorite chair and urinate.  Often, cats spray a specific object indicating a less than desirable relationship with the object or person who's associated with the object. If it is associated with a person, many times the spraying can be stopped by having that person feed the cat twice a day with a desirable food while all others in the household stay clear.   This establishes a "desirable relationship with that person and alters the stimulus to spray.

Castration
87% of all tomcats stop spraying after castration
78% stop immediately
9% stop in a few months
13% keep right on spraying
Males cats are more likely to spray if a female cat is in the house or neighborhood showing the sexually relationship of urine marking.

Drug Therapy

Progestins such as Depo Provera or Ovaban work best...   
They work best in single cat households and males
Can have serious side effects (liver toxicity, uterine infection, etc.)

Anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium
Work best in multi-cat households and females

Drugs work best if used after removing the inciting factors.

Behavior Modification
It is important that the cat be carefully observed - timing is very important for corrections - after the fact correction doesn't work!
Water Pistol, Plant Sprayer, Loud Noise, Light Flash, Throw an Object (Can filled with dried beans)
Aluminum foil hung on affected area causes a noise and reflects the urine spray back on the offender.
    Often they play with the foil and forget about spraying.
Sometimes if food bowls and litter boxes are moved near the affected areas they will stop (rarely, but it's worth a try).
Isolation with food, water and a litter box sometimes reduces stress and brings them back into the habit of using the litterbox.

Instructions for New Cat Introductions
Isolate the new cat to a small room
    Allows the resident cat to get used to the new smells and noises.
    Allows the new cat to get in the habit of using the litterbox before exploring larger, less secure territory.

Old Cat Moved to New Home
    Once again, confine to a small area
    A small area allows hair and dander to collect and mark the cats territory.
   Gradual access allows exploration in a non-stressful manner

Neurosurgical Methods
    Expensive and dangerous.
    Methods as drastic as frontal lobotomy, destruction of the sense of smell, severing urinary tract muscles have been tried usually with failure.   

An Innovative Treatment Aid for Urine Spraying - "Feliway" Pheromone Spray"

 
"Feliway" Pheromone Spray

I always try to save the best for last.   Hope you are still with me because this is a truly novel cure for urine marking in cats!

"Feliway" is a spray that mimics the facial pheromones of cats.

A pheromone is a chemical substance secreted by animals to confirm territory and communicate with external others.

Feline "facial pheromones" are produced by glands located in the cheeks of the cat. When the cat applies these pheromones to surfaces it makes those areas familiar and comforting.  Facial pheromones are happy - secure odors for cats!

Have you ever noticed a cat rubbing its' face on an object?  How about your pant legs?  He/she was marking you with contentment and happiness. Those so marked are loved and the cat has marked that they belong to them!

    VERY IMPORTANT!   Facial pheromones are known to inhibit urine marking when applied to an area previously marked.

Facial Marking to Make An Area Secure - Familiar- Comfortable

"Feliway" Spray Makes Your Kitty Happy and Secure

Uses of "Feliway"

To stop urine marking
    Spray "one puff" on marked areas once a day until you start seeing your cat rub his/her face on objects in the area. Renew once a week.
    Continue for one month.
   Spray prominent areas (areas likely to be marked) see diagram below.
   Apply the spray with the bottle 4" from the object and 8" above the floor.

Arrows Indicate Prominent Objects - Areas to Spray With "Feliway"   

To stop sexually excited cats from marking
   Spray the marked areas once a day during mating season.

Multi-cat households
   Since the stimulus to mark is so intense (crowding, sexual, uncomfort, insecurity, stress) spray the marked areas 2 to 3 times a day and prominent objects once a day.

Elderly Cats
You may need to spray marked areas once daily for 45 days then renew once every two or three days.

   NOTE: Never use bleach or ammonia for cleanup of urine  It can increase marking!  Use a mild detergent followed with a vinegar/water rinse.

Other Uses for "Feliway"
To comfort the cat in stressful environments.
Get a new piece of furniture? Apply "Feliway" to help Kitty accept it.
Going to the veterinarian? Put one puff of "Feliway" in each corner of the carrier to ease the trip.
Vacationing and have to board Kitty? Have the boarding facility apply one puff to the cage once a day.
Moving to a new house? Apply "Feliway" to make Kitty feel secure and welcome.

Remember: To a cat change = Stress >> Facial Pheromones = Security/Comfort >> "Feliway Mimicks Facial Pheromones

Let us know of your experiences using "Feliway"

Parting words...
I want to apologize for being so neglectful all summer.  It seems with the flower beds, lawn mowing, garden and the increased patient load at the clinic, there just isn't any time left at the end of the day to do a Newsletter.  I promise I will try harder in the months to come.  I do enjoy showing you things about your pets and the Newsletter mailing list has increased greatly.  This tells me you enjoy learning about your pets. Thank you for you patience and as always, if you know of anyone who might enjoy receiving this publication, please have them email me and I will make sure they are included in the future mailings.

Next Week
September 28, 2000
A Continuation: Housesoiling by Cats
This will cover the other aspects of this common problem such as missing the litterbox, defecating in the house, litter aversion, etc.
I may even tell you about a method of getting your cat to use the toilet!

The "Ideal" LOL LOL LOL

"Take A Picture It Will Last Longer"

Have A Nice Weekend ~~   Later,  Dr Dan

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