The reproductive instinct is inherent in every animal from birth. If you take a cute fluffy kitten into your home, do not forget that in less than a year hormonal changes will begin to occur in its body, which will also affect the pet’s behavior. Markings on walls and furniture are only part of the possible manifestations of sexual hunting.
Why do cats leave marks?
Marking is not urination, but an attempt to mark one's territory. Not only cats leave them, but also some cats. The animal sprays urine on walls, vertical objects, and this is part of sexual behavior. Thus, the cat reserves the right to a certain territory, scares away its relatives, who may approach the house and lay claim to the females nearby.
Important! In addition to furniture and walls, the cat marks its owner's things, in particular shoes. Boots and boots have the smell of someone else's territory, and the animal wants to kill it, leaving its marks.
This kind of sexual behavior does not suit the people living in the house. Owners often scold the cat, try to punish it and get rid of the habit of marking surrounding objects.
If you have several pets in your home or you bring a new animal into the house, the cat will also begin to leave marks like a male. The animal behaves this way, wanting to divide the territory between relatives. And the only way out of this situation will be timely castration or sterilization.
But sometimes a neutered cat continues to mark its territory. Why is this happening? The owners are perplexed, try to find an explanation for this strange behavior and even begin to blame the doctor for performing a poor-quality operation.
What to do?
Many cat owners hope that after castration the problem of leaving marks will be solved by itself. But it often happens that even some time after the operation, the pet’s habit persists. In this case, you need to know what to do correctly and wean your pet from marking, since the released pheromone has a specific and pungent odor, which is extremely difficult to get rid of.
It is necessary to find out the reason
To increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome, the owner must try to find out why the animal continues to leave marks. If possible, you can consult a veterinarian or animal psychologist.
It is strictly forbidden to show aggression and anger towards a pet, since the animal in any case will not understand why it will be punished. It should be borne in mind that physical punishment can only aggravate the situation, since the animal may begin to take revenge.
How to deal with your pet’s habit of leaving marks depends on what is its primary source:
- If marking the territory is associated with the presence of other pets in the apartment, the owner needs to be patient and wait time. In a few weeks, the pain after surgery will go away, the cat will get used to the new “neighbors”, feel self-confident and stop leaving marks. To facilitate the rehabilitation period, the owner needs to pay as much attention as possible to the pet, constantly play and communicate with it.
- If the marks are a consequence of a disease or a poorly performed operation, only a professional can help correct the situation. After a physiological examination, the veterinarian will prescribe appropriate treatment or further surgery.
- Cat marks can be a reaction to a dirty litter box. Owners should wash their pet's potty daily to minimize the likelihood of this problem occurring.
As practice shows, the habit of marking territory is usually eradicated 4-6 months after castration. If after this period the animal continues to leave marks, it is recommended that the pet be checked at the clinic for the presence of hormonal abnormalities.
We need to be patient
To eradicate this habit, you can use the following psychological techniques:
- When a cat puts a mark, you can catch him and lift him by the withers, sternly scolding him out loud. This technique will make your pet feel vulnerable, and he will not want to do the same actions again. To enhance the effect of “punishment”, you can hiss at your pet; he will take this sign for aggression.
- The owner needs to show that he is the boss in the house and show the animal that it is forbidden to mark the territory. When the pet begins to do its “business”, you need to lightly flick it on the nose with your finger.
- An alternative option is to use strong scents to repel cats. Cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits, so the place where the animal is accustomed to leaving marks can be sprinkled with lemon or orange juice. You can also put a little peeled zest in this place.
The disappointment of owners when the cat continues to leave marks is understandable and obvious. The first thing you want to do at such moments is to yell at your pet and poke his face into the smelly puddle. But doing this is strictly prohibited. Such actions not only make no sense, but can also aggravate the situation, provoking aggression and revenge from the animal.
The main reasons for leaving marks by a cat after castration
If you notice that your neutered cat continues to mark his territory, you need to calm down and contact your veterinarian. The doctor will examine the animal and tell you why its behavior has not changed after the operation. There may be several reasons why a neutered cat leaves marks.
Postoperative period
Within several months after castration, the animal recovers, its hormonal system is rebuilt to a new level of functioning. The amount of sex hormones decreases gradually, which explains the appearance of marks within 3–4 weeks after surgery. Owners must be patient and wait for their pet’s reproductive instinct to completely fade away.
Late castration
The habit of marking its territory may continue after surgery if it was performed at puberty, especially if the cat has already had sexual contact with cats. In this case, the animal can leave marks on walls, shoes, things and furniture for 6-12 months. Fortunately, after castration, the typical “male” pungent smell of urine becomes significantly less. Usually, after a hormonal adjustment, this habit disappears, the animal calms down and forgets about the old behavior.
Cryptorchidism, poor castration
If one testicle remains in the scrotum, traditional surgery is contraindicated. Otherwise, the production of sex hormones will not be stopped. To solve the problem of marks, and other, more serious problems, such an animal undergoes abdominal surgery. A testicle in the abdominal cavity can degenerate and cause cancer.
Chronic diseases of the genitourinary system
Sometimes the reason why a castrated cat continues to urinate outside the tray is the appearance of urolithiasis, cystitis and other pathologies that are accompanied by difficulty in the outflow of urine and involuntary urination. In this case, we are not talking about marks, but about pain when urinating.
Severe stress
If the cat is nervous, he may mark in the house. Various factors can provoke such changes, including the transition to a new diet and the owner ignoring the pet, the appearance of another cat nearby or a new pet in the apartment.
Solution
It begins with cleansing the marked areas - the pungent aroma will attract the pet and force it to carry out periodic renewal. To get rid of them, use special products purchased at a pet store.
Removing the remaining testis
How to stop a cat from shitting on the bed: the main reasons and methods of influence
The deviation implies a congenital defect in which one of the testicles does not descend into the scrotum, but remains in the abdominal area. Such an anomaly is enough for the animal to continue marking the home. During surgery, it remains in place and requires abdominal surgery.
Important! The problem is rare and occurs due to medical error - when an inexperienced specialist failed to recognize cryptorchidism. It will not be possible to solve it on your own; you will need to consult a veterinarian and undergo repeated surgery.
Use of drugs
Pet stores and veterinary hospitals sell special aerosols - they are applied to places that the cat likes to mark. Before spraying the aerosol, the problem area is washed with detergent, then Antigadin is used.
The effect occurs after a few hours, provided the animal is castrated. Otherwise, the benefit of the drug is questionable.
Antigadin
Animal psychologist intervention
If all the recommendations for dealing with the problem are followed, and the cat continues to actively demarcate possessions, then a psychology specialist comes to the rescue. He will be able to analyze the animal’s behavior and find the source of its discontent.
Change of permanent residence
In some cases, moving to a new home comes to the rescue. To avoid a repeat of the situation, you need to evaluate the changes from the pet’s point of view. Cats react poorly to innovations and sudden changes in environment. The new home is incomprehensible and unfamiliar to them - this leads to attempts to settle in using the familiar smell.
To eliminate marks in a new home, you need to gradually accustom the cat: carefully arrange his bowls, toys, litter box and house. Familiar things will help your furry pet get comfortable faster and forget about the intention to “master” every centimeter.
Important! It is better to place scratching posts in obviously dangerous places, where the cat can mark the property. The animal will begin to leave traces in an alternative way, forgetting about everyone else.
To improve the effect, you can sprinkle them with catnip - it will 100% distract a cat who is unhappy with the move after castration.
What to do if a cat marks after castration?
The main thing is not to punish the animal without understanding the reasons for the behavior disorder. A cat that has undergone castration is in a state of post-operative stress and needs not only high-quality physical care, but also psychological support.
In the first hours after surgery, you may experience involuntary urination on your own, and in the first days there may be puddles next to the tray. This will pass quickly enough. Even if the animal marks surfaces out of habit, wait a few weeks. It is useless to punish a pet - he behaves this way because his sexual function is not completely extinguished.
If a neutered cat leaves marks because of a new pet, he will eventually stop doing so. Do everything to ensure that the animals become friends as soon as possible. Usually the dating process takes several days.
It is important to rid your cat of the negative influence of stress factors. Give your pet as much attention as possible, play with him more often and pamper him with delicious treats. This will give the cat additional confidence that you value him and will not stop loving him even after castration.
Veterinarian advice
Why does a cat walk past the litter box: the main reasons and what to do
Experts recommend focusing on the toilet - dissatisfaction with the litter box is one of the most common sources of marks throughout the house. Proper organization of a secluded place for natural needs will help reduce the risk of damaged things by 50%.
- Match the crate to the size of the animal - small cups for kittens cause rage in adults who do not fit comfortably in them. It is better to purchase a deep and wide enough tray, about one and a half cats in volume.
- The toilet should not be within walking distance from the feeding area - combining the two zones will lead to attempts to empty into bowls instead of the box.
- Secluded location - animals prefer to visit the corner of reverie without unnecessary witnesses. The constant movement of family members near the box forces them to look for quieter places.
- Frequency of washing - cats are characterized by increased cleanliness and disgust. Sanitation of the pot should be carried out daily, using detergents.
- Filler - its presence or absence plays an important role. Each pet prefers something different: one requires clean granules, the second hates them with all his cat soul.
The cat is happy with the toilet
Important! If, after fulfilling all the above conditions, the marks continue to appear with enviable consistency, then you need to look for another source of the problem and fight it. Correction of the animal's behavior is carried out in accordance with the prerequisites for the deviation.
Will a cat stop marking after castration?
Veterinarians cannot guarantee that an animal will stop marking after surgery. To increase the effect of the operation, the owner will have to create ideal conditions in the postoperative period. This approach will speed up the cat’s adaptation to changes.
Eliminating habits takes time. Over the course of several months or six months, the owner will have to silently remove traces of vital activity, waiting for the end of hormonal storms.
How long after castration does a cat begin to mark?
Changes in the animal’s habitual behavior can be noticed a week after the operation. Most owners note that behavioral reactions change immediately after castration. The cat stops marking the area and begins to behave like a completely asexual creature.
In some cases, the problem cannot be solved by intervention: an adult pet is not going to give up its usual way of life and continues to persistently leave puddles in all available places. Some individuals manage to “remember their youth” several years after castration - when certain conditions arise (a new pet, moving, a baby).
Very often, the problem of marking is worsened by cat owners themselves - they sincerely believe that a castrated pet is taking revenge on them for its ruined life. People are trying to take out their anger on the unfortunate animal, because they sincerely believed those who convinced them of the ideal behavior of cats after surgery.
Important! Constant screaming and beatings lead to a cold war: the cat defends itself from aggression by protecting its land from evil ill-wishers.
To avoid such trouble, you need to properly care for your pet. He should be fed on time and happy with everything, with a clean tray. Veterinarians advise bringing cats quarterly for preventive examinations in order to timely identify hidden diseases, especially those related to the urinary tract. The ideal keeping of a neutered cat involves the absence of other animals in the house - then he will not have to attract attention with the help of bad-smelling puddles.
How to prevent the inevitable
If you decide to get a cat, then know that it is almost impossible to calculate in advance whether your cat will mark the house or not. There are indeed cats that, even when they grow up and are at home all the time, do not leave marks, but you cannot count on such luck. These are isolated cases, the exception rather than the rule.
Whether the cat marks or not, the owner will know when the animal reaches sexual maturity - this is somewhere around 8 months.
It is at this age that the problem needs to be solved, and most often the owners choose castration. Neutered cats do not scream at night, demanding a cat, and do not mark their territory.
The best option would be to perform the operation before the cat begins to mark . A young cat needs to be monitored, and when he begins to show anxiety at the age of 7 or 8 months, mark his territory - that means it’s time to see a veterinarian. In most cases, everything goes fine; after castration, the cat calms down and does not ask to go outside.
But there are times when the owners miss the right time, and the cat begins its activity. You still need to take him to the vet, because trying to fight him with a rag is useless. No matter how much you chase him around the apartment, no matter how much you punish him, instincts will still take over, and all vertical surfaces in your house will be marked.
But even after the operation, when all the male dignity of the cat has already been removed, to the horror of his owners, he continues to mark as if nothing had happened. What is the reason for this inappropriate behavior of the animal? Why does a neutered cat mark corners and what to do? Next, you can read why, despite all the efforts of the owners, the cat continues to splash on the walls and cabinets.
What you need to know
If you still doubt whether to deprive an animal of its male dignity, then let's look at the pros and cons of castration. This will allow you to avoid feeling guilty towards your pet. So let's start with the positives.
- Castrated individuals are less distracted by their sexual instincts. They are more playful even as adults.
- In this case, the cat forever forgets about searching for females, which means that his escapes from home will be forgotten forever. And with them illnesses, wounded sides and frostbitten ears.
- The operation performed does not lead to obesity. On the contrary, the animal’s hormonal background changes, and it begins to eat more moderately.
- The risk of diseases of the reproductive organs is reduced.
- Neutered people live much longer.
As you can see, there are enough reasons to dare to carry out the operation, even without taking into account the unpleasant odor from the tags. If you have found the answer to the question of why to castrate a cat, then all that remains is to choose a competent doctor who will perform the procedure.
Why do pets mark?
In a similar way, an uncastrated cat or neuter leaves marks to attract the attention of representatives of the opposite sex. In this way, the sexual nature of the pet is manifested, as a result of which it leaves small drops of urine on vertical surfaces, objects and things. When an unspayed or neutered cat leaves puddles on the floor everywhere, despite the fact that he has a specially designated place to relieve minor needs, this is more of a pathology than a manifestation of sexual behavior. Any cat marks its territory, which is quite natural. Through such actions, she informs other representatives about territory ownership and leadership qualities.
It is a mistake to believe that after neutering a cat the problem will go away and he will stop marking everything in the house. This phenomenon in most cases is explained by the instinctive behavior of the animal, and not by its intention to take revenge on the owner. The operation does not always help remove the stench in the room, especially if the manipulation was performed at the wrong time or of poor quality.
How to remove odor
In an apartment with limited space, the terrible smell of tags is felt quite strongly. It is useless to interrupt it with perfumes or simple air fresheners; this will spoil the air even more.
Special means and precisely selected methods should be used. It is best to seek help from professional medications that include enzymes.
- If you don’t have an effective drug on hand, you can remove the mark with alcohol, but then the room will need to be ventilated to remove its aroma.
- It is not difficult to make a solution of soda and hydrogen peroxide; it will need to be left in place of the mark for several hours. This solution gives off the smell of ammonia, but it disappears in a couple of minutes.
- A strong solution of potassium permanganate will also help, but it can stain the surface.
- Vinegar works well and also removes the smell of cat urine.
Traces of marks must be removed immediately, the area must be washed thoroughly, without leaving a drop of odor. The cat should not get used to the fact that this is his zone and he can safely leave traces of his presence there.
IMPORTANT! Castration is the best way to solve problems with marks, although it does not provide a complete guarantee.
In 95 cases out of 100, according to experts, the cat gets rid of the unpleasant habit, but the owner’s help is also of great importance.
Time cures
This is some consolation for owners who are tired of dealing with a similar problem. Not immediately, after a certain time, but castration of the cat should still bring a positive result. Reviews from doctors indicate that hormonal changes in adult animals take quite a lot of time. Therefore, for several months the body will work in its usual mode, slowly moving onto new tracks.
No, he will not be oppressed and tormented by the thought that he will no longer be able to have offspring. In animals this issue is much easier to solve. Since there is no longer a need, the individual does not experience any worries about this. By the way, if you ask a veterinarian about why to castrate a cat, he will answer you that way. So that he lives in peace and gives to you.
Why the tagging period may be delayed
From time to time, owners come for a consultation with a veterinarian with the question of why time passes, but the number of marks does not decrease. Usually by this time they have time to try absolutely everything. Factory sprays, punishment with slippers, locking in the bathroom and much more. But there is still no effect. But so many hopes were placed on the operation.
Analyzing these data, we still could not find a clear answer to the question of whether the cat will mark its territory after castration. Let's try to look at a specific case and ask the veterinarian for his opinion.
Why does he stop going to the litter box?
No, that's not true at all. He still urinates in his toilet. The secret released during sexual heat is a completely different composition, and it is sprayed in minimal quantities. That's why it can be so difficult to find. Will all cats start marking their territory? It’s difficult to answer, but most of them are prone to similar actions. If you live in a private house and he has the opportunity to walk around the garden, then the problem will be solved by itself; apple trees and fences will be enough for him to declare his masculinity. But in an apartment this is just a problem.
You have only two options: endure it or decide to have surgery. And again we return to whether cats mark after castration. This largely depends on the age at which the procedure will be performed. If you leave her until she fully matures and reinforces unnecessary behavior, then nothing can be done about these habits. Therefore, it is best to catch it before he even makes the first marks.
