At what age do cats begin to mark their territory?

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Many pet owners have encountered a situation where cats begin to mark. There is no need to scream, thinking that aggressive psychological influence will help resolve the situation. First, you need to find out why this started, that is, what factors prompted the animal to leave odorous marks in the wrong places. Only after this will it be possible to choose the right tactics to save your nerves and personal property.

Time to leave traces: when does it start?

Do all cats mark and at what age do they start spraying urine wherever they want? Everyone is individual - it depends on the breed, conditions of detention, nutrition. However, most often the active struggle for every free corner begins at about eight months.

As cats mature, their desire to mark only increases. Not only the pet’s body changes, but also its habits, and the desire to dominate other males in search of a female increases. Aggression towards rivals appears in the character. The animal thinks that the struggle for territory is a matter of time, and begins to mark it. The result of such efforts is the acrid smell of urine that appears wherever the pet lifts its tail.

Such activity and reluctance to re-educate is a cause for grief for many owners. They are used to seeing their cat as a cute animal, a fluffy ball that evokes exceptionally tender feelings. However, constant cleaning can turn love into hate and tire even those who don’t mind walking around the house with a mop and rag.

Alas, such behavior is inevitable and quite natural for our four-legged friends. What time do cats start marking? As soon as puberty begins. It is this period that most owners wait with trepidation: they are already anticipating constant cleaning after their pet. The age of transition to adulthood is different for all breeds:

For animals of the eastern group (Siamese, Oriental, Thai) - approximately 6 months.
For Siberian, Maine Coons and other large pets – 7-9 months.

Tag prevention

Owners are often stunned by the strange behavior of their charge. Panic from the series “the cat is marking its territory, what should I do?” - a popular request, since not all parents know about the physiological features of their pets. Hormonal surges force animals of both sexes to mark. Especially if people are not concerned about timely sterilization. Therefore, the best prevention of bad behavior is sufficient attention to equipment, which will ensure the most correct conditions of detention. And to eliminate a bad habit, you will need sensitivity, tolerance and attention to your cat. After all, we are the ones responsible for those we have tamed.

Why do cats mark in the apartment?

There are several reasons. Next we will look at the main ones in detail.

Reproductive instinct - marks in the corners indicate that your pet is looking for a cat. What to do in this case? You can try to scare the animal away with strong odors - as a rule, they cannot tolerate them. What can be applied? The must-have list will include bleach, vinegar, lemon, as well as iodine and potassium permanganate. Another win-win option is ammonia. We wipe the areas that the pet has already marked with compounds with characteristic aromas, or saturate cotton swabs with them - after which we lay them out on the path of the four-legged hunter. The disadvantage of this method is that the smells disappear sooner or later, but the desire to leave your mark on history remains. It is also worth putting the cat on a protein diet and taking him to the veterinarian - it is quite possible that he will recommend hormonal therapy.

Experienced fear or severe discomfort - often stress or pain becomes the reason for the appearance of marks. If the reason for such behavior was fear of something, leaving its own smell everywhere, even if unbearable for people, allows the pet to feel comfortable and calm. In this case, it is worth eliminating the source of anxiety by analyzing the situation and finding the “root” of the problem. It is worth spending more time with your pet, playing with him and petting him, distracting him from what may cause him anxiety. Often the answer to the question of what to do if a cat begins to mark can be a visit to the veterinarian. It is important to understand that often odorous traces are nothing more than an alarming signal that indicates an aggravated or just begun disease.

Jealousy is another significant reason to leave your urine everywhere - even in your master's shoes. The reason is guests who attract the attention of the owner, a dog, another cat in the family, a small child. Cats very subtly feel the slightest changes in attitude towards themselves and are looking for exactly the atmosphere that will be as comfortable as possible. If they are not picked up, stroked, or spoken to, when they meow demandingly, one can only wait for unpleasant consequences. Or correct the situation by calling the animal, pampering it with a tasty treat and proving your complacency with deeds.

Boredom - this reason smoothly follows from the previous one. If the owner does not want to play, walks around gloomily and does not call him to be held, the pet becomes bored. The entertainment he chooses may not be to your liking. How can you understand that a cat leaves marks solely because he has nothing to do with himself? He gives preference to the owner’s personal belongings - for example, he shamelessly sits on your laptop or favorite sweater. How to eliminate boredom? It’s very simple - start paying attention, resume playing in your free time, and don’t forget that your pet is a family member whose interests must be respected.

Protecting the territory - imagine that you are a cat. The entire apartment is your undivided possession. But then a small child appears in it, and he is perceived as someone who dreams of taking your place. Or neighbors come to visit, whose clothes smell of other animals - and this is a direct encroachment on the cat’s property. There is only one way out - to show where its borders lie, express your “fi” and prove who is boss in the house. How to rid your pet of a bad habit in this case? It is necessary to show that you are a leader. It is you who establish the rules and indicate how you can behave and how you shouldn’t. Replace the lisp with sternness and put the insolent person in his place.

The methods that we described above will help you understand how to wean your cat from marking territory in the apartment. In many cases, you will have to deal with aggression from a pet. However, this is not a reason to abandon your own intentions to re-educate your pet - read our article on how to extinguish anger that has flared up, and achieve your goal without using radical measures. Remember that punishment will not work - you need to build a certain strategy (without using violence or shouting) that will work specifically in your case.

Observe the visit to the tray

Be sure to take time and see how your pet behaves around him. If he:

Places the front paws on the edge of the tray or completely, they remain outside it.
It is not the filler that scrapes, but the rug on the floor.
Does not bury its waste products in the contents of the tray.

All this suggests that using this device is inconvenient for him. You need to either choose a larger tray or change the filler. It happens that it is too large and the pet does not like it.

What to do if a cat marks in the apartment?

How to get rid of the problem once and for all? There is only one truly effective solution - castration, carried out before the onset of puberty. Yes, most owners are frightened by this option - how can you send an animal to such a barbaric and humiliating operation for it? However, the facts speak exclusively in favor of timely removal of the testes - and here are the advantages worth considering:

The first and most important thing is that the cat will stop marking its territory, ruining clothes and shoes, and leaving odorous marks on furniture.

The second plus is that in the spring you will not be disturbed by the heartbreaking cries of a male trying to reason with his rival or call a female.

The third advantage of this elective operation is the reduction in the level of aggression. A previously angry and irritable cat will become affectionate and obedient.

Veterinarians also point out that castrated animals live much longer than those whose owners, out of the kindness of their hearts, preserved their gonads. The pet's character changes for the better and remains playful and cheerful until old age.

Removing the testes is also a great way to protect your purr. Adult uncastrated cats have a high risk of developing tumors and prostate adenoma, and various infections. Agree, preventing their occurrence is much easier than treating your pet over and over again.

So, if you don’t intend to find a spouse for your Barsik or Boris, but the desire to live in a clean and comfortable house without odorous marks does not allow you to put up with the disgusting smell emanating from the carpet, linoleum, slippers and other things that catch the eye of the animal, there is only one way out – castration. This way you will save the cat from suffering when searching for a female and stop cleaning at the slightest provocation.

By the way, a similar operation exists for cats – this is sterilization. It helps get rid of most of the problems that owners of these graceful pets face during heat. You can read more about the need to remove the ovaries of a female and the rules for preparing for surgery.

Jealousy

This is true for our pets no less than for people. They are great owners, and they do not want to share their owner, as well as their home, with strangers. Therefore, the arrival of a new member of the household is often painfully perceived. If your pet has always been disciplined (especially if he has already been neutered), and now he has started marking the house, then perhaps this is his way of letting the new family member know who is boss. This may also apply to the situation of protracted repairs, when builders appear at home every day to perform various works.

Sometimes even an ordinary guest visit can cause an animal to be jealous. Especially if he sees that the owner has turned all his attention to the guest, and he was asked to leave. Today, veterinarians say that cats can even be jealous of gadgets when they see that their beloved owner spends all his time only on a computer or tablet. Again, the best way to solve this problem is to allocate your free time and attention wisely. If you have a pet, then you need to pay enough attention to it.

Why does a castrated cat mark its territory: what to do if the operation does not help?

This also happens: there are no testes, and the animal still only brings trouble to the owners, settling down to go to the toilet in places that are not intended for that. Sometimes there is more than one reason for this behavior. Let's look at the main ones to find a way out:

Will a cat mark after castration? Yes, if its physiology differs from the anatomical structure of other pets. We are talking about such a feature as cryptorchidism - in this case, the testicles (one or both) are not located in the scrotum, but are hidden under the skin - hidden in the groin area or in the abdominal cavity. Such an animal should be taken to an experienced veterinarian - a young specialist may not be able to find the gonads. Hence the consequences - the hormone testosterone is still released, which means the cat will continue to do its job - even after the removal of one testicle.

photo from the site: Petomets.ru

Do neutered cats mark territory? Yes, if the operation was performed at an advanced age. In other words, the appointment was made by an old man who was accustomed to leaving his marks all over the apartment, and even surgery would not be able to wean him off. In the animal’s brain there is a memory center that is responsible for preserving those very dominant signs that prompt them to once again go around their possessions and leave odorous marks. The way out of such a situation is a timely visit to the veterinarian.

Having other pets is another reason that should not be forgotten. Especially if all four-legged residents of the house are males. In this case, multiple tracks are a natural struggle for a dominant position. Animals sense the smell of their rival neighbors and try not to yield to them in anything.

So, we answered the question of whether cats mark in an apartment after castration, but we still haven’t said what to do in such a situation. There are several options:

The first is to remove the remaining testicle if cryptorchidism is confirmed in the pet. To do this, take your pet to a trusted specialist - experience with such congenital anomalies plays a big role. The successful outcome of the operation depends on him.

The second is the use of special drugs that repel cats and discourage them from marking in the apartment. Antigadin spray is one of these products. For most owners, this is a real lifesaver, but each case is individual - a positive effect may not follow.

The third is contacting a zoopsychologist. It will help change behavioral reactions, suppress the desire to leave marks on furniture, floors and clothes, and free your pet from the habit of going to the toilet anywhere but in the litter box.

Fourth, sometimes changing apartments helps. These are extreme measures - it is unlikely that anyone will want to move because of the smell, which will disappear after cleaning. However, in some cases, a change in area actually leads to a complete abandonment of the desire to confirm its dominant position.

In this article, we talked about when (at what age) cats begin to mark their territory, what are the reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon for their owners, and what to do for those who do not want to put up with the persistent smell of urine in the apartment. There is no universal advice - an individual approach is required. However, a better method of solving the problem than castration during puberty has not yet been invented.

Pet is stressed

If the cat started marking relatively recently, then you need to remember what has happened recently. Has the animal experienced severe stress, fright, moving or treatment from a veterinarian? If the owners ignore their pet, it will try to attract your attention. Even if in this way. This happens when the owners, who previously loved their cat dearly, give birth to a child.

The pet remains forgotten. Moreover, they begin to chase him out of the room where the baby is. In this situation, if the cat is being chased by an angry owner, then this can be perceived as an exciting game. Of course, until the assault begins. But even this is better than being ignored. Here you need to remember once again what time cats begin to mark the territory of the house. If we are talking about a young cat, then, of course, this is most likely due to a hormonal surge and puberty. But if your pet is already several years old, and the problem has appeared for the first time, then you need to think about the reasons more deeply. So, in order to avoid excesses, you need to pay attention to your pet. That is, communicate with him, stroke and caress him, play, hold him on your lap.

An easy way to wean a kitten from marking territory in the house

Almost all cats leave their marks wherever they want. Of course, all owners pay attention to this. But when the little kitten grows up to about six months old, this can become a big problem.

Wrong decisions

Of course, everyone knows and understands that this cannot be allowed. Because, in the place where the kitten marked, an unpleasant odor begins to appear, and in some cases spots appear.

Many owners, in such a situation, simply try to somehow remove the stains, although this does not always work, and then begin to scold the animal.

But this is not the right approach. In this case, the animal will begin to be very afraid of you, but it will not stop marking in the future.

And in order to start dealing with such a problem, you first need to find out and understand why the pet does this.

It is important to know: such an animal does not leave these marks for the sake of entertainment or to make its owners unpleasant. They have it by nature. In this way they mark their territory.

Who's in charge

Almost all types of animals, including cats, have a hierarchy. And, as a rule, only the head of the family, the “leader,” can mark territory.

Of course, little kittens are always trying to change the rules, to show that they are in charge, and at the same time they try to mark their territory as often as possible. But they are quickly pacified.

And what should the owner do to stop the kitten’s disgrace? Of course, this may seem stupid and childish, but you must become a leader for your pet.

If you constantly poke the kitten with its muzzle, hit it or shout at it, then nothing will help. After all, every animal understands that this is its territory when it hears its scent and continues to mark the territory more often.

What to do in such a situation

If you see that the pet suddenly raised its tail and began to twitch it a little, and at the same time holds the target towards the wall or the exit, you need to start acting. And the most important thing to remember is that a cat can only understand what it is capable of.

An animal can only understand the habits of its own species. To do this, you need to make it clear to your pet that you are the boss in the house. The best way to do this is to simulate a fight.

To do this, first of all you need to grab the animal by the scruff of the neck. This should be done with one hand. How do you know that you have achieved your desired goal? Very easy. In this case, the pet stops twitching, relaxes, and then presses its paws and tail to its stomach. This pose is also called the kitten pose.

At the next stage, you need to overcome the cat in a fight.

Cat fight

First of all, you need to hiss menacingly at your pet, as cats do.

Secondly, learn to hit your pet in the face like a cat. In this case, you should hit the cat without making any effort.

Thirdly, get really angry with the cat. There is no need to pretend, show anger, and at the same time speak in a gentle voice. On the contrary, this will push the pet away.

And finally, the most important thing - always look the cat in the eyes. It's like a challenge for them. And whoever looks away first or something like that loses.

After following all these rules, the pet must understand who is boss in the house.

How else does the instinct of dominance manifest itself?

It usually wakes up in cats with the onset of puberty. Not all individuals immediately declare themselves in the most dramatic way. Some people instead rub against the upholstery, leaving their scent on it. For the same purpose, they scratch doors and furniture, as well as wallpaper, with their claws. But when the cat begins to mark the territory in the apartment, this outweighs all the listed inconveniences. Just a few days - and when you walk home, you are simply faced with an elastic stream of smell that haunts you.

Explaining to a pet that the main thing in the house is the owners, and not the cat, in most cases it will not work. But you can try to wean him from this habit. Let us note once again that this is not so easy to do. Instincts are the basis for the functioning of the animal psyche, but they do not possess consciousness.

But what should you do first after you determine that the cat has begun to mark its territory? How to understand what is happening to him? The first step is to contact an experienced veterinarian. It is necessary to know for sure whether this behavior is a consequence of diseases of the urinary system. This usually requires going to an examination and getting tested. If problems are identified, the specialist will prescribe effective treatment.

How to act depending on the reason

You should consider in advance whether the pet will be used for breeding. If yes, then you need to organize periodic free walking or mating for him. If you plan to keep your cat locked up all the time, it is better not to torture him and castrate him. Otherwise, no measure will help; the animal will continue to mark simply because it is obliged to do so.

What to do in other cases:

Contact your veterinarian and check if your pet is healthy.
You can put cotton pads soaked in citrus fruits, bleach, vinegar, iodine, and potassium permanganate on the already marked areas. They will scare away the animal, but only while the smell is pungent. Professional products are also sold; they are more effective.
The popular method is to lay in wait for the criminal when he begins to do his job, turn on the acting skills and portray a rival cat. Holding the animal by the scruff of the neck, hiss intimidatingly and hit it in the face several times, as cats do when they fight with their paws. Just hit with your fingers so as not to injure the animal. In this case, you need to portray anger as believably as possible and be sure to look straight into the pet’s eyes. The first one to look away loses.
If the reason is jealousy or boredom, you need to give your pet more attention, caress, play, and treat him to something tasty. In the absence of the owners, leave toys.

When a cat marks from stress or fear, you need to try to create the most comfortable conditions for him and, again, pay maximum attention.

Marking territory is a natural instinct, not a vice of upbringing. No forceful methods - physical punishment, screaming, throwing slippers - will lead to a positive result. You need to act depending on the specific situation or solve the problem in a radical way - castration.

Special means

When a cat begins to mark territory in an apartment, the owner is ready to do anything to make it stop. Supermarkets offer a huge selection of liquids and sprays, patches and similar products to scare animals away from the area chosen for the marks. It's no secret that cats usually return to one or more favorite corners.

The effectiveness of these funds can be debated for a long time. Here, your pet’s inclinations and his sensitivity to a particular composition will most likely play a role. Some people rub the corners with lemon for this purpose, others sprinkle them with black pepper.

At what age do cats start leaving marks, and for what reason?

What time do cats start marking? Animals leave their first marks as soon as they reach sexual maturity. Typically, cats begin to mark their territory at the age of 6-9 months, depending on the breed. For example, among representatives of the eastern group (Siamese, Thai), puberty begins earlier. For large pets (Maine Coons, Siberians), a little later. For example, a British cat begins to mark at about 7 months.

If an animal begins to leave marks in the apartment, although this has not been observed before, the reasons may be different. Including:

Reaching puberty. In this case, the pet will ask for the cat, while leaving marks and showing itself as an “alpha male”. To prevent the animal from wanting to update its tags, you need to try to fix the problem. To do this, you need to use substances with a pungent odor, then wipe or soak the already marked areas with cotton swabs. For example: vinegar, ammonia, potassium permanganate. The disadvantage of this method is that the smell will fade away over time, and you will have to repeat everything again, since it is quite difficult to wean the cat the first time.
Stress or pain. For example, this could be moving to a new apartment, or even just changing furniture. Marks with their own characteristic odor allow the animal to calm down and feel safe. In this situation, it is best to try to calm the cat down and distract him with games. Often, odorous marks also serve as a signal of the onset or exacerbation of the disease. Here you will need to talk with a specialist.
Feelings of jealousy. When there are other animals, small children in the house, or guests sometimes drop by, it is important not to forget about your pet. Cats begin to mark their territory out of serious jealousy, leaving marks with even greater zeal and reminding them of themselves. You can also try to make amends by treating him to something tasty. But it is better to avoid such situations.
Lack of attention. When you devote little time to the animal, for example: you don’t pick it up, don’t play, the cat begins to settle personal scores. It is not surprising that it is the owner’s personal belongings that suffer: a sweater, boots, or even a pillowcase. It is necessary on your part to show prudence and make reconciliation: resume your previous games, show that you still respect and appreciate your pet. The animal will reciprocate your feelings.
Dirty tray. Remember to thoroughly clean your cat's litter box. Cats are usually very clean.

Instincts, not vices of education

This is true. You and I cannot change what nature has laid down. But this is precisely what makes it possible to say quite accurately when cats begin to mark their territory. Upon reaching sexual maturity, the cat is “obliged” to inform all females and males about this. This means that this territory has an owner, and other males are prohibited from entering it.

To do this, it raises its tail and twitches slightly, releasing small amounts of urine, pheromones and seminal fluid. This scented message contains information about the cat's age and readiness to mate. If your pet constantly walks in the garden or on the street and leaves its marks on trees, then they will not cause trouble to anyone. It is much worse if he lives in an apartment. When cats begin to mark their territory, it becomes very difficult to live with them under the same roof, as well as to wean them from this habit.

What to do?

The best option is castration. It is advisable to have the surgery before puberty occurs. Many owners are afraid of how such a procedure will later affect the animal’s well-being. In fact, this is a common operation, for which it is enough to choose a good specialist.

It is also worth considering the following advantages:

The pet will stop leaving scent marks. Your personal belongings: clothes, shoes, furniture will be safe.
You will no longer be bothered by “cat songs” when your pet insistently asks for a cat with its cries.
The animal will stop being aggressive, rushing at you and trying to bite. You will be able to pet him again without any problems.
According to some studies, the life expectancy of castrated cats is significantly longer. In addition, they retain their playful disposition until old age.
The risks of various genitourinary infections, as well as tumors or prostate adenoma are reduced. As you know, it is better to prevent the occurrence of such dangerous diseases than to nurse your pet for a long time.

If your plans do not include breeding offspring, then castrating the cat would be the best option in the current situation. This way you will make life easier for both yourself and your cat. There will no longer be a sharp, unbearable smell in the apartment. All your personal belongings will also remain safe.

As already noted, castration is best done at an early age, before puberty.

If this procedure is performed late on an older animal, your pet may continue to leave marks according to its old habit. Although the smell will no longer be as strong, it is still unpleasant. Also, if you notice that a castrated cat has begun to mark, the reasons may be: stress, or the presence of the smell of another male (in your house or nearby).

Features of behavior

The habit of marking territory is common to all predators. This helps to mark boundaries that other individuals are not allowed to enter. Your animal in the same way designates its possessions in an apartment or house, which means “I’m in charge here.”

Some owners mistakenly confuse marks with ordinary puddles on the floor. In fact, in this way the pet does not simply empty its bladder, but follows the call of nature and expresses its readiness to reproduce. Therefore, such marks contain a lot of pheromones. A pungent odor can be felt throughout the apartment.

The cat does not care at all which of your things will be damaged: expensive furniture, a blanket, or toys. If he decides to put a mark somewhere, he simply sprays the required object with a strong stream. It is difficult to predict the behavior of an alpha male.