Who needs thumbs?

Who says they don’t like water?!

There are so many negative stories about Pit bulls so I had to share this good news with you.

Cat lovers scroll down…kitty saves a family too!

Here is one Pit bull who is a hero to her family

More good Pit bull news….armed intruders stopped by dog who takes a bullet and loses a leg

** No graphic images **

Move over dog lovers….Cat saves family from carbon monoxide poisoning

Spraying or territorial marking is a common and frustrating problem for many households with cats.  It is also the number one reason cats are abandoned in shelters which often results in their demise by euthanasia.

Even though there may be many causes for spraying it is a problem that can be managed and in some cases resolved completely.

Never punish your cat for spraying…

Cats usually spray to mark territory or advertise for a mate

With a few exceptions, getting your cat to stop spraying or marking is very difficult and requires considerable effort on your part.  The good news is it can be done.

If you are looking for a quick fix or a magic pill then stop reading right now. There is no such thing.

I will provide some tried and true tools to help you improve your situation and perhaps resolve it for good. Punishing your cat or rubbing his nose in it is completely unacceptable.  It will only make the situation worse and create deeper problems causing your cat to fear or mistrust you.

Spraying is different than a litter box issue…

Spraying is not a litter box problem.  Here is how to tell the difference.

Spraying or territorial marking is when a male or female cat backs up to a vertical surface and releases anywhere from a few drops to an entire stream of urine.

Cats will spray furniture, speakers, heat registers, draperies, doorways and other areas….

There are usually multiple sites that are sprayed and it follows in a type of pattern. Some urine spraying can be done in a squat position on a horizontal surface but usually it is done standing up. Horizontal marking can be found on the bedspread, stove top, counter top or other unusual places but this is much less common.

This urine stream is a message your cat wants other cats to know, a type of pee mail if you will.  They are actually depositing pheromones as a form of communication with other cats.  This pee mail usually contains messages such as ‘This is MY territory!’ or even, ‘I’m looking for a mate.”. Intact females, those who have not been spayed, can spray as they advertise for a mate.

Each cat can produce different pheromones that mean different things from claiming an object as their own to a pheromone that produces calm and relaxed feeling. It’s a bit like their own personalized, scented business card.

Simply spaying or neutering your cat can stop this behavior…

There are other types of marking other than this spraying behavior such as when a cat rubs up against items and in some cases leaving their feces uncovered. Unneutered males have the highest tendency to spray due to the testosterone in their body.  Sometimes simply neutering your cat can stop this behavior completely.

Any cat, male or female, intact or sterilized can spray but you can greatly reduce the tendency to spray by spaying or neutering your cat.

Litter Box problems are when your cat urinates or defecates, usually in a squat position on a flat surface such as the carpet, counter top or bathtub.   This type of behavior is rarely done backed up to a vertical surface.  For litter box problem solving click here:

What Can You Do?

Your cat has now ruined another pair of speakers.  The house smells like a giant litter box.  Your spouse or significant other is threatening to get rid of your cat.  What can you do?

1. First, take your cat to the vet to rule out any kind of medical issue.  Most people skip this very important step and they want me to just magically talk to their cat and tell them to stop spraying.  If this were possible, I’d be famous and on Oprah.  It’s just not that easy.  This crucial step and should not be overlooked.

2.  Spay or neuter your cat.  Seriously.  It will not change their personality or make them love you any less.  Click here to read more about this.

Low cost or sometimes free spay/neuters can be available if you qualify. Click here for more info.

If you cannot find anything local on the above link do an Internet search in your area.  You may be surprised at the resources you can find.

Spraying is a natural behavior in all cats including lions and tigers…

I’ve had some clients tell me their cat is spraying to spite them or that their cat is mad at them for leaving on a business trip or vacation.  While portions of those statements may be true spraying is a natural behavior for cats.  Even lions, tigers and other big cats spray to mark territory. I was visiting Cat Tales, a wildlife refuge here in Spokane and almost got nailed by a very large spray from one of the white tigers.  He was not mad at me or trying to tell me anything, he was marking that part of the enclosure as his own. I just happened to be in the line of fire.  Fortunately, I was able to jump out of the way and avoid a rather unpleasant bath.

My cat is mad at me that’s why he is spraying…

Your recent business trip may have caused a change in your cat’s routine and that may spark spraying but your cat is not really mad at you.  That is more of a human concept or trait.  Cats have a different motivation than humans. Mother nature and instincts runs very deep in our feline friends.  Their motivation is usually driven by some kind of natural instinct, not revenge like a human’s thought process.

3.  Use an ammonia-free enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly treat all affected areas.  The smell of ammonia can actually draw the cat back to that spot to spray again.  I have tried so many products and as of right now I like one called SCOE. I have tested this brand and it worked on some pretty tough stains and odors.  Several applications may be necessary.

Keep kitty away from the treated spot…

Block the treated area with a big box over the top so the air can still move around but kitty can’t get to it.  Another way is to take a piece of cardboard and put double-backed sticky tape in strips along the cardboard.  Place the cardboard over the treated area.  Kitty won’t like getting on the tape and will leave the area alone. Use a black light to find other areas in your home that may be affected. Scat matts, spray kits and other products are available but it may get a bit costly if your cat is spraying in several areas. Personally, I am not a big fan of scat matts which release a static pulse to deter your cat.

Stress can be a contributing factor to spraying…

4.  Multiple cat households often set the stage for spraying.  Simply too many cats in too small of a space can create stress.  Sometimes it can be another cat in the neighborhood that comes by and leaves his/her scent at your door.  Your cat sees or smells this scent and suddenly begins to spray.  Other stress factors include losing a job, changes in your schedule, a new baby, a new boyfriend/girlfriend, guests and any kind turmoil in the household.  Identify the stress factors in your home and do your best to eliminate them.

There have been many occasions where the client denies that there is any stress in the house but the cat tells a different story…

It certainly can’t hurt to schedule a session and see what is bugging your cat.

One solution in this case is to give your cats the illusion of more space in a very inexpensive way.  Empty boxes on the floor create the illusion of space to cats.  Cat shelves, or cat furniture that goes high up to the ceiling can also create more space.  Think of providing more places for your cat to climb up or into as a solution to more space.  Outdoor playpens or enclosures are also a great idea if you can afford them.

Opening the doors in springtime can sometimes trigger spraying…

5. Pheromones can sometimes help.  There are some plug in type of pheromones you can try that release a ‘feel good’ hormone that only your cat can smell.  Give it a try and see if it works for you. ‘Feliway’ is a product that is available in pet stores. I am not a fan of giving medications like Prozac to cats to control this behavior.  But if it means keeping kitty versus taking him to the shelter I guess then I’d have to cave on that one. I prefer more natural approaches such as Rescue Remedy and other flower essences.

Replace their feelings of satisfaction with a negative response…

6. Some cats tell me they get a sense of satisfaction from spraying and describe this experience as ‘euphoric’.  If you have ever watched a cat spray they get this goofy, glazed look in their eyes.  I believe this is that satisfying feeling they get from releasing their scent.  By simply disrupting their routine and stopping your cat before he sprays can break the habit.

For instance, try following your cat around and just before he/she initiates the spraying stomp your feet or clap your hands causing a loud distraction.  Never direct this toward the cat but stay close enough that the sound disrupts their brain from completing the spray.

An empty soda can filled with pebbles or pennies can make a loud and distracting noise….

If a cat begins to receive more negative responses before he begins to spray this can defeat a habit in a few weeks.  An empty soda can filled with pebbles or pennies can be used too.  Just shake it vigorously right as you see your cat preparing to spray.  Cats will often have a ritual or routine they follow as they prepare to spray.  This will provide you with a few moments to prepare.  Once you see them going to that spot initiate the negative response.

Behavior problems start at home with you and end at home with you.  Make sure you are taking the proper steps to achieve the best results in your household.  Don’t expect me or any other Animal Communicator to resolve your problems for you.

It is my job to deliver your animal’s messages to you but it’s up to you to make the necessary changes for a happy, balanced and peaceful household.

Boxes provide the illusion of more space

I get many emails and letters but I had to share this one with you.

Peyton is a gorgeous young kitty whose mom, Cindy contacted me to have a session with him when he was having a health issue.

Peyton shared many messages during his session but after it was over I got this letter…from Peyton the cat himself!

“The Saturday before Thanksgiving my mom, Cindy came home to find me pretty out of it laying on the bathroom rug. She picked me and brought me into the other room where I just lay quietly. Nothing she did, picking up my favorite toys, opening my favorite food-salmon-yum, did the trick. She woke up my Dad who explained that earlier that day I was running around playing and eating.

They decided to take me to Emergency.

The vet told them to wait and see and if I didn’t get better, to take me to my regular vet Monday, which they did. By then I just didn’t have the energy to clean myself and just hid in my tunnel. At the vet, they did the dreaded blood work which showed them that my liver enzymes were very high, the worst they had seen!

My mom was very worried and decided she wanted to talk to me. She was referred to Karen Anderson and they set up a time to talk. It was great to finally be able to tell my mom how much I loved her and let her know how happy her and dad make me. Dad sings to me, which I love, and Karen told her how appreciative I was of that.

Karen saw all these energy blocks around my body and was able to tell her that I would benefit from a liver cleanse with herbs like Milk Thistle. She also explained that my diet of Fancy Feast was similar to the diet of McDonald’s for humans. She told my mom that I didn’t want her to worry but that I did need her help.

My mom felt reassured and was very happy with this discussion and immediately made an appointment with a holistic vet who agreed that Milk Thistle would be very beneficial. I was prescribed Denamarin which has Silbyin in it, which is the major flavonolignan from the extracts of the milk thistle seed. I took this along with the antibiotics for about 5 weeks having appointments along the way, each time with my levels going down.

I am happy to say that on New Year’s Eve my levels were finally normal!

I am now medicine free… thankfully; I hated that stuff.

I am back to playing with my favorite monkey toy and waking my parents up early in the morning and “hunting” them during hide & seek. I am eating well and at a good weight and am bump free.

The holistic vet also informed my mom of a new food to try which we are starting this weekend. She didn’t want to overwhelm me with so many things at once. I heard it has salmon in it so it can’t be that bad.

My mom & dad, Cindy Dely & Greg Martin and I want to express our deep thanks to Karen for helping us in this scary time!

Love, Peyton Dely Martin”

Photo above

There are so many things we can learn from our animals.

Bella and Tara, a dog and an elephant share a special bond. 

The Odd Couple

How many of you have a cat like this?