Cats marking their territory what to do at home

You don't have to know exactly at what age cats start marking their territory. It is enough just to carefully observe your pet. With the onset of maturity in cats, some changes in behavior and appearance are observed. Their jaws become well defined and their whole body more muscular. At the same time, the cat will become aggressive toward other cats and will mark its territory to prevent them from taking it over.

How to teach a cat to tag

Many owners (especially if the cat is not neutered) are faced with the problem of odorous tagging. And of course, almost everyone wants to wean the cat from tagging. But not everyone understands why the pet does so, respectively, the problem and remains unsolved. To help owners, "Murkosha" in detail the motives for the behavior of kittens and tell you how to still teach the cat to urinate.

To begin with, all owners who want to teach their kitten to tag should keep three important points in mind.

Firstly, If you ask whether it is possible to wean the cat from the ticking we have to answer: no, it is not. Because it is his nature, shitting the territory is part and parcel of life of all felines (about this below). And by the way, not only cats tag, but also cats.

Second, one must distinguish between territory tagging and problems with the litter box. They are fundamentally different situations with different causes and, accordingly, different solutions. Tagging – leaving special odor tags, that is, in this case, the cat simply seeks to spread its scent. By marking the territory, cats most often spray urine on vertical surfaces, and this urine has a more acrid smell. Cats also love to tag corners and the space in front of the front door. Tags will be found in a variety of places throughout the apartment. A tagging cat will probably try to run away from home at the first opportunity, and if you don't let him go, he will meow loudly.

If it's not tags, but litter box lapses, you're more likely to find puddles of urine in different hidden places, and these will be strictly defined places, maybe just one place. The desire to leave the apartment and loud screaming in this case will not (although, of course, are possible situations where you meet at the same time two problems – the cat flees and walks past the litter box). If this is the case, then you just need to figure out what the cat does not like her litter box. Perhaps if you move it to a more secluded place, replace it with a more convenient form, change the filler, the puddles in the wrong place will disappear.

Why cats need to mark their territory

Cats are territorial animals. Having and defending their own territory was the most important thing for them in the wild. Because if it belongs only to you, you can hunt it without facing competition from your kindred. Everything is familiar on it, you know the hiding places where you can hide in case of danger. It is safe enough (and there is food) that you can leave your offspring and raise them. In general, territory is safety, food, procreation, in other words, all the things a cat needed in the wild.

And how do you show everyone, and especially your mates, that this territory is yours? You have to spread your scent on it, because cats rely on their sense of smell no less than on their eyesight (and in some cases even more). This is where scent tags come in handy. A cat marks its boundaries and everything important within its boundaries. This is how a cat claims its territory and signals to itself that it's safe there, but it also warns its mates that the place is occupied. It's as if he's telling other animals, "Stop! Everything else is mine!"

After domestication, the cat's way of life changed a lot. But the instincts remained – the same instincts that make a cat claim territory and leave scent marks on it. And what territory domestic cats can consider their own? The answer is obvious – our apartments. Therefore, they are especially diligent in marking the "boundaries" – corners and the front door.

Thus, to mark the territory for a cat is quite natural, even vital. Tag – a sort of boundary mark and certificate of ownership at the same time.

Thinking in cat language

Of course, you're overwhelmed with emotion. What's the furry creature thinking anyway? But first of all you need to figure out why this happened. In order to understand how to teach your cat to tag wherever you want, you need the most reliable and proven method – is to "talk" with the animal in his language, moderating the leadership ambitions. Today we'll try to figure out how to do it.

First punishments and thoughts

If the puddles have become regular, it means that it is time to change something. And since it is customary to wean the cat by means of punishment, the first thing the owner takes in his hands a sneaker. But this does not always help. If the animal endures the punishment and continues to shit, you need to look for the reasons. This is the only way to outline ways to solve the problem.

We are not talking about a kitten who has not yet mastered the skill of going to the litter box. That is, the pet was neat and well-mannered, and suddenly at one point everything changed. How to wean a cat to litter box, if he is not three months old and previously he used the litter box on "five and a half"?

Veterinarians say that you should first examine the animal. If the pet is in pain to go to the toilet, the pet's genitourinary system may not be in order. In this case, the attempt to go to the toilet leads to pain, and the animal changes places in order to avoid anguish.

A specialist will perform an examination and take tests. Then he will be able to tell for sure if there is an inflammatory process. If there is, a corrective course will be prescribed. If no health problems are detected, then educational measures must be applied.

What should you do if the cat still poops?

Most likely it's already a problem with the kidneys (urolithiasis) or the litter box.

If the cat does not like the litter box, you should change the litter. Most often it is the reason for refusal of the litter box.

If this does not help, then it is most likely urolithiasis. There are the following signs of this disease:

Even in the early stages of the disease, it is better not to try to be a veterinarian (unless, of course, you yourself are a veterinarian by profession) and treat the animal yourself. You can only make things worse by doing so. Go straight to the veterinarian. He will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment.

Also remember that once the disease is diagnosed, your pet will not live as before. For example, if your pet eats dry food, then you almost certainly have to change it, otherwise your pet won't last long.

What you can do.

Some owners think pets have blunted instincts. In fact, they're just as strong as those in the wild feline family. This is especially true for the breeding instinct. If you close the pet in the apartment, he will lose weight, refusing the offered food. In addition, the animal will try to get out of the apartment, growling, climbing on the cabinets.

Therefore, the owner should think in advance about how many months the cat begins to tag, and by this age determine the order of action. If you plan to use it for breeding, you need to organize a free walk for him, when he can satisfy his instincts. If it is impossible to do this, and there is no one to breed the cat with, or you did not plan to use him in breeding activities, then decide on the procedure of neutering even before the cat began to leave odor tags.

How else does the dominance instinct manifest itself

It usually wakes up in cats with the beginning of puberty. Not all individuals immediately assert themselves in the most radical way. Some instead rub against the furniture upholstery, leaving the scent on it. For the same purpose, they scratch doors and furniture, as well as wallpaper, with their claws. But when a cat starts tagging its territory in an apartment, it outweighs all these inconveniences. Just a few days – and walking into the house, you're just confronted with a bouncy stream of odor that is unrelenting.

In most cases, you can't make the pet understand that owners are in charge of the house, and not the cat at all. But you can try to wean him off this habit. Once again, it is not that easy to do. Instincts are the basis for the functioning of the psyche of animals, and they do not have consciousness.

But what's the first thing to do once you've determined that a cat has started marking its territory? How to understand what is happening to him? The first thing to do is to see an experienced veterinarian. You need to know exactly whether this behavior is the result of diseases of the urinary system. This usually requires an examination and tests. If problems are identified, the specialist will prescribe an effective treatment.

What should I do if the cat urinates after being castrated?

First of all, you should make sure that the cat has no health problems and the castration of the animal was carried out correctly.

In some cases a neutered cat doesn't need qualified veterinary assistance, but it keeps ticking its territory for no obvious reason. The owner can try to solve the problem himself or see a zoopsychologist.

Here are tips to help get rid of unwanted tags in the house without ruining your relationship with your pet.

Educational measures

If less than three months have passed since neutering, the reason for the persistence of marking behavior may be that the body has not yet completed hormonal restructuring. In the transition period it makes sense to be patient with the pet. But at the same time you should systematically deal with his education.

You should . Give up any ineffective methods of correcting the cat's behavior. You should not take the cat back to the marked place, poke it with your nose, scold it strongly, carry it to the litter box and try to hold it there. Trying to correct the problem with such punishments may cause the cat to avoid the owner, and the stress it experiences will only increase the likelihood of unwanted behavior.

Gentle punishment (a loud clap on the hands, spraying water from a sprayer, throwing a light object, etc.) can be applied if the owner detected the cat immediately at the moment of marking. Unpleasant feelings will make the cat interrupt unwanted actions and at the same time will not cause fear of the owner. If the owner is consistent in his actions, most cats quickly grasp the reason for his displeasure and stop tagging in the presence of humans. This does not always completely solve the problem, but it can significantly reduce the frequency of its occurrence.

In order to better to better control behavior and stop tagging in time, it is a good idea to temporarily limit the cat's movements around the house. For example, you can either close the cat's access to the place where he tags most often or put him in a separate room. It is necessary to try to watch the cat all the time and, if possible, suppress every attempt at tagging. It is also important to remember that during these educational measures the cat needs friendly communication with the owner and exercise no less, and sometimes even more than before.

Why a cat marks his territory

Cats – our favorite domestic friends who can make us laugh, lift our spirits and soothe us in a difficult moment with their measured gentle purr. But sometimes these whiskered-tailed pets do not behave very nicely, leaving tags everywhere in the apartment. In this article, we're going to look into why pets tag, and how to deal with it.

It may seem to some that the cat is tagging everywhere simply because he or she is not well-mannered. But most of the time, animals are tagged for completely different reasons:

1. The cat is tagging in the house, declaring war for leadership on other animals (usually other cats, less often dogs). By leaving urine streaks here and there, the unfriendly pet simply wants to prove its power to its competitors;
2. Sexual hunting is another of the main reasons why cats tag. The smell of heat in male cats can smell it perfectly from a great distance. So do not be surprised that the tailed rooster sprinkles urine on the front door every now and then, if there is a heifer cat living next door. He simply wants to attract the females to mate with the scent of his markings;
3. Sometimes a cat marks his territory because he is stressed.Sometimes a cat tags territory because of stress, and it doesn't make a difference if the cat is neutered or not. What can cause stress to an animal? Yes, many things, such as moving, change of ownership, mistreatment by someone in the family, chronic diseases, severe fright, visiting the vet;
4. Sometimes, marking his territory, the cat is just trying to create a cozy atmosphere around him. It is the owner who does not like the smell of animal urine, but the whisker itself is very pleasant. Thus, some males may tag those corners of the house where they spend most of their time;
5. In some situations, the male will tag the corners of the house to spite his owner.. And the most vengeful ones may even tag personal belongings of their owners (shoes, outwear, handbags and so on). Some cats can even tag their owners! What are the reasons for animals to hurt people? Oh, there are many! So, a cat can easily get mad at the owner for scolding him or swearing, for any prohibitions (for example, not allowed to sleep on the pillow, or steal from the table);
6. Some cats always urinate in the same places in the house, but there are also cats that exclusively urinate on objects with a foreign odor (for example, on household appliances delivered from the store or on the owner's outdoor shoes). In this way Animals are simply trying to "overpower" someone else's unfamiliar smell;
7. Boredom is also one of the reasons cats tag. Often busy owners do not have enough time to play and socialize with their pets. A cat that feels unwanted can meow, misbehave (scratching the wallpaper, climbing the curtains and so on) and use tags to attract the owner's attention;
8. Neutering in 95% of cases eliminates the habit of cats to leave urine on walls, doors and furniture. However, in 5% of cases, a cat will still be tagging after neutering. Why does this happen? Firstly, at first the hormonal background of the cat is simply not normal. Secondly, the reasons for tagging may be hidden not in the game of hormones, but in the same stress. And thirdly, inexperienced veterinarians sometimes neuter cats with cryptorrhea, those in which one of the testicles is not descended into the scrotum. As a result of the surgery, only one testis is removed, while the other testis located in the groin or in the abdominal cavity continues to function, secreting sex hormones. So, a seemingly neutered (and in fact castrated incorrectly) cat may continue to want to mate with cats.

When does the littering period begin in cats?

Now let's understand at what age cats start to tag. Most often The tagging period in males begins at puberty. For small and medium breeds (Munchkins, Singapore, Devon and Cornish Rex etc.) it is 5-7 months, but big breeds (Maine Coon, Pixiebob, Siberian and British cats, etc.) become matured to about 10-12 months. But there are situations when first time male cats of middle age and even elderly cats start to sweep in an apartment.

If an animal sweeps very rarely (1-2 times a year), the owner does not seem to have any special problems. What to do if the cat is tagging daily and repeatedly? Some cats are capable of leaving up to 20 marks on walls, doors and furniture per day. Here are the steps an owner who has suffered from the antics of a pest-eared cat can take:

1. Any mark (whether fresh or dried) must be removed. The smell of your own urine will attract the cat and cause it to mark the same surface again. You can "kill" the smell of cat urine with some folk remedies (vodka, hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, laundry soap, vinegar, lemon juice), but the best effect will be produced by special products ("Desosan" and "Zoosan" from "ZooClean", "OdorGone" from "ChemtechInternational" and so on);
2. Areas most affected by cat scratches (e.g. room corners) can be treated with products with a strong aroma that are unpleasant for the animals (citrus fruit essential oils, lavender, rosemary, mint, alcohol, toilet water, ammonia). Small containers of tobacco, ground red or black pepper, cinnamon, saffron, cloves, dried mustard, dried ginger, cardamom, curry or other spices that have a spicy pungent smell can be placed on the floor in the "x" areas. Products are available in pet stores that should be used to treat the surfaces that are most often tagged by cats (Eco Zoolekar's "Crap and Tagging Stop Spray", Chemol's "Antigadine", "NoMoreSpraying" from 8 in1 or others);
3. On the floor, in those places where the cat used to leave tags, you can spread something rustling (foil, bubble wrap, tracing paper). As a rule, animals do not like to step on surfaces that make such a sound;
4. As mentioned above, In most cases, castration can wean a cat from the habit of marking things. And it is better not to delay with the operation, going to the clinic when the pet is just entering the phase of puberty. If a neutered cat marks his territory, the reason is something else, not sexual attraction to cats;
5. The less free time a kitty has, the less often he tags. The owner should give his whiskered friend daily attention by playing with him, caressing him. You can buy a variety of toys for the cat with which he can spend his leisure time when the owner is not at home. If there are several pets in the house, none of them should feel neglected;
6. If the reason for the tags is due to stress, it is advisable for the owner to find out what caused the cat to become emotionally disturbed. If possible, the cause of the stress should be eliminated. The animal in such a difficult period can be given sedatives ("Cot Bayun", "Fitex", "Fospasim", "Stop-Stress", "Amitriptyline", etc.);
7. And how to teach a cat to tag territory if he does it out of spite of the owner? It is necessary to prove to a spirited pet that a man is in charge in the house. As soon as the cat raises its tail to mark, say, the door, the owner should pick up the pet by the belly with one hand and the other by the withers, and then raise it to the level of its own eyes and scary hiss. Such educational measures should be taken whenever the cat tags anything in the apartment;
8. It is acceptable to scold a cat that has just made a mark. It is not necessary to shout loudly, just use a firm, condemning tone. It is also possible to give the cat a light ear rub or a flick of the nose with your finger but under no circumstances should you hurt it (i.e. you should not kick it, hit it with your slipper or throw it from a height and so on);
9. Cats hate loud noises.. And this can be to the owner's advantage when trying to fight tags. Whenever an animal tags, you should blow a whistle. It is only important to act as soon as the misbehavior has been committed so that the cat develops a "tag – loud unpleasant sound" bond.

Inappropriate litter can also be a reason for your cat to tag.

When dealing with a cat that is tagging, proper litter box maintenance should always be addressed. In addition, conflict can arise from their use if there are not enough litter trays in a home with multiple pets.

So, make sure you have one cat litter box for each (!) cat + one extra. This means that if you have two cats, you'll need at least three litter boxes.

Size and area also matter: the litter box should be bigger than the cat itself (1.5 times the length) and located in a quiet place with low traffic. Most importantly, keep it clean – change the litter box twice a day and wash the toilets with warm water and unscented soap once a week to reduce the "other cat's" unpleasant odors.

Problem: Your no doubt well-behaved cat no longer uses the litter box and has started leaving "unbelievable surprises" all over the house.

How to fix it: Try changing the litter box. For example, if you've replaced the mixture with a scented one or put a liner that makes your cat uncomfortable, he may decide to pee outside the box, because he'll be more comfortable that way.

So, if you have more than one cat – place the litter box in low-traffic areas where there are at least two ways out – the goal is to avoid conflict between cats. Remember to keep the crate clean and completely change the litter once a week.

Why do cats pee in the bed?

From the cat's point of view – the bed is the ideal toilet because it is absorbent and clean; however, the pet may use the bed for a number of other reasons:

• Fear of separation: the cat enjoys mixing its scent with human scent – if its owner has been away for too long – it may have calmed itself down by this method.
• Confrontation: if a significant new person sleeps in the bed, perhaps the cat is leaving a "message".
• Stress: if the cat doesn't feel safe in the house because of renovations, new people or other unexpected change, she may stay in the bedroom for safety reasons.
  Incorrect litter box: if the cat's litter box is dirty or has been moved to a different, unfamiliar place she will look for something more suitable and the bed will certainly fit her needs.

How do cats mark their territory?

We are sure that you can easily find on the World Wide Web tips on how to teach a cat to tag territory and what to do if the cat is tagging territory. With the second problem the shelter "Murkosha" is always ready to help. For example, on our website you can read an article about what to do if the cat walks past the litter box. We also answer the questions of our subscribers in social networks. Shelter volunteers have learned much about the behavior of cats and cats, and are ready to share their knowledge.

And how do you teach a cat to tag territory? You can't. However, it should be noted that we are not talking about puddles of urine in your apartment. With them all just enough simple, and further in this article, we will suggest some good solutions. Why then can't a cat stop shitting altogether? The fact is that cats and cats mark their territory in different ways.

What is part of a cat's or cat's understanding of territory?
Of course, first of all, it is the physical space and the various objects in it. That is, your apartment, furniture, walls, bowls, toys and cat tray, clothes and shoes of the owner. In fact, you and other family members are also perceived by the cat as part of his world. This is why cats are so zealous in rubbing up against their owners (i.e. actually tagging them) and why some also show affection to their guests, as if to expand their own domain. Cats can tag in the following ways:

Cats tag their territory, people, and your other pets in these simple ways if they get along with them.

How does a cat mark his territory?
By smell, of course. A cat leaves its own distinctive scent on all its surroundings. It does this by secretions of scent glands on its cheeks, chin and around the eyes, as well as on its paws, sides and anal region under its tail. Indeed, contrary to popular belief, the cat's scent arsenal is not limited to urine.

Humans, due to their poor sense of smell, are unable to recognize most of the aromatic signals a cat leaves behind. But for cats and cats, odors are of the utmost importance, as they are for many other animals. Cats use tags similar to boundary lines, road markings, bulletin boards and social media posts combined.

Why neutering/sterilization is the best solution

The neutering/sterilization procedure is much safer than medically regulating an animal's instincts. This operation is quite simple, if it is performed by a qualified doctor (and only a reliable clinic should be trusted, of course), there are no risks for the animal.

The life expectancy of sterilized animals is on average 1.5-2 times longer (due to the alignment of hormonal background and reduced stress levels). Also, the procedure significantly reduces the risk of many diseases, including cancer of reproductive organs, breast cancer in cats, endometritis, etc. Another undoubted advantage is the change in the pets' behavior. After surgery, purrs become more docile and quiet. They show aggression much less often and do not want to run away from home. And of course, a cat will almost certainly stop tagging in the house, as their main incentive – attracting a mate – disappears.

Other causes of house tagging

We would be mistaken if we said that a neutered cat certainly cannot cheat. Cats can be coerced into leaving foul-smelling tags for other reasons unrelated to hormones. Although, it is still the sex hunt that most often provokes animals to tag. If you have an unspayed cat (unsterilized cat), we highly recommend an operation – 99% of the time that's the reason. Only if you have already spayed your cat, you should consider other options.

Firstly it could be a question of habit – if the cat has been moping for a long time it will not disappear right after the operation, especially if he feels the odor in the marked areas. In this case you should wash everything carefully (to discourage the smell) and be patient, since the cat will get used to it after a while.

Secondly, it happens that a cat will tag when it feels pain. In this case the marking is a sign of the onset or aggravation of the disease. So in any case you should take your cat to the veterinarian.

Thirdly, the cat may bat because of stress, and stress can be caused by various factors: moving (and even a significant change of environment), loud noise, yelling, new people in the house, such as a child, even just lack of attention from the owner.

Fourth, the pet may be afraid of encroaching on its territory. Most often it happens when another animal appears in the apartment, but your cat can feel, for example, and tags of a not neutered cat in the entrance or at neighbors', especially if he leaves them very actively.

The common thing in all these situations (pain, stress, new animals) is that the cat begins to feel insecure in an area that previously seemed perfectly safe. To reinforce her confidence, she begins to tag, as if to say that this territory is still hers. In this case you should (besides the obligatory visit to the vet) show the cat your care and love (but without being pushy), distract him with games and treats. When she will understand that there is nothing to worry about, that the territory is still safe, the tags will disappear.