Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cat Pee Can Be Controlled In The Home

By Kathrynn Kelley

If you love your cat as well as your home, you will need to deal with the unpleasant task of dealing with cat pee. Few things can make your home as unpleasant as the stink of cat urine. If you want to reside in a relatively stink-free and stain-free home, cat house training is a necessity. Your home will smell and look better. Your cat and guests will also want to thank you for making your home a pleasant one.

For several reasons, which I will explain, cat pee can be very strong. Their urine can be quite concentrated due to the fact that they do not drink a lot of water proportionately to some of the other animals. Because of this stones and 'sand' can form in their urinary system causing problems and even dangerous blockages. Because cats can be so finicky about their water they may refuse to drink enough.

Providing free water changed very often and in vessels they like helps dilute the urine and produces cat pee that does not smell quite as strong. Some vets advocate using a little salt in food to encourage cats to drink more water, but always check before doing this. In nature, cats need very strong, smelly urine as part of their natural behaviors to mark out a territory and establish who is the "top cat."

Cats that are restricted to indoor life may also mark their territory by "spraying". When spraying, the animal releases cat pee and other glandular secretions that contain malodorous chemicals onto surfaces. Reducing stress and behavioral training can correct this behavior. However, many non-breeders choose to neuter their pets to circumvent the problem. Spraying is not limited to the male gender. Even some female cats will spray.

Assuming the cat isn't physically or emotionally ill, training is simple. Most kittens are using their box by the time they are a few weeks old. They copy their mother and require little attention from their human owners. However, cats transitioning from outside rovers to inside pets may need a little training to recognize the purpose of the litter box. Adding some attracting herbs or pouring some urine from an accident into the box should help teach the cat. Once the cat is regularly using the box, the training is complete.

Even the best litter can't contain the smell of cat pee indefinitely. Litter should be scooped immediately and changed periodically. Litter boxes that automatically clean themselves can help. There are also odor absorbing additives in some litter that can reduce the smell of urine. When a cat urinates outside of a litter box many pet owners think this is an accident but it may actually be the cat's refusal to use a box they deem to be too dirty.

An upset or ill cat may also deposit urine outside of their litter box. Cats can be spiteful and punish their owners for things like moving their items or bringing in another pet to the home. Giving the cat some extra affection may help the situation.

Dealing with cat pee at some point in time is one least favorable things about being a cat owner. For most normal people the smell of cat urine is so unpleasant that it cannot be lived with from day to day, this is why cat house training as well as controlling odor are imperative. An upset or ill cat may also deposit urine outside of their litter box. Cats can be spiteful and punish their owners for things like moving their items or bringing in another pet to the home. Giving the cat some extra affection may help the situation.

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