#Cat Spraying After Spaying

[kvotheunkvothe]

Should I get a kitten?

I have 3 cats: Medusa (age 7, Russian Blue mix), Ophelia (age 5, calico domestic shorthair), and Leviathan (age 1, domestic shorthair).

I acquired Leviathan while I was heartsick over losing Pendragon (who was age 3) April of last year to illness. all my kitties love being around me, but they can be JEALOUS. especially when Leviathan sees Medusa cuddling with me--he chases her off. at bedtime, I often have to choose one to kick out or he'll stalk her in the room. they don't injure one another beyond some minor scratching, but Medusa will growl a lot and be extremely unhappy when he's stalking her.

he also chases her when he's bored. Ophelia will wrassle with him a bit, but he (and Ophelia, when she was younger and rowdier) like to go after Medusa because she hisses and REACTS and can be chased. Ophelia might run a bit, but then she flops over and swats, and ultimately isn't spooked if he pulls the same stunts on her. also, she LOVES to get loved on, so she'll happily let him lick her until it turns to bites. Medusa doesn't want them to approach her unless they're clearly focused on something else (like all staring at a bird, or all being fed).

Leviathan is also kind of neurotic: sometimes he gets overstimulated and wanders from toy to toy trilling to himself, then might cause mischief with Medusa. he's always been prone to getting overstimulated like this, and I play with him a lot to try to combat this--but sometimes he JUST wants to mess with Medusa. Ophelia is a bit lazy and snoozes in between eating, so she doesn't run around enough to satisfy him.

if I got a kitten, I think its playful nature could distract Leviathan and get some of his energy out. in my experience cats can be in their terrible teens like this up until even age 5, so he's got years where he could use another little friend. a kitten might also be a good friend to the others: both Medusa and Ophelia were buddies with Pendragon because he was a sweetheart who just loved other cats and people and was an absolute gentleman.

on the other hand, the kitten could end up the target of jealousy, and Leviathan could also get territorial and start spraying (yes, neutered animals can still spray). Medusa could also feel neglected with yet another animal in the house--she was my first cat and my only for about a year until I had to return to the office in the pandemic and felt bad with her home alone. I'd gotten Ophelia initially as a buddy to Medusa, and Medusa did used to like holding her down to lick her ears, but they've never gotten along since Ophelia entered her own terrible teen years (note the above chasing she did to Medusa as well).

other factors: I have my own house (space is not an issue), I work from home (and so can be present during the transition and intervene if there's an emergency, although I also really am working), and I would want a fairly young kitten (under 6 months) for easier integration. all my cats are adopted and spayed/neutered, also, and I'd be acquiring a kitten from the local shelter. I would love an adult cat, but I don't think an adult would fulfill this niche OR be accepted by the others like a kitten would.

also also: all are indoor-only cats, and I play with them, and I have toys that move when touched and birdfeeders to attract birds to the windows. my cats are spoiled lil gremlins is what I'm saying.

[stavromulabetaaa]

stav's feral cat fund!

hello all! i would typically never ask for donations, but in this case it is not for me or my personal use. it's all for the kitties!

i do feral + community cat TNR (trap neuter return) in my city and although i've helped many cats (i even found two of them forever homes!), they just keep coming. thankfully the spay/neuter program i use does not currently charge a fee, but the supplies i need to care for these furballs is beyond what i can realistically afford. i'm also gearing up in preparation for kitten season, which is right around the corner. i have two humane traps, and a large dog kennel for recovery. i have to keep the cats for 24-72+ hours after surgery, and am currently in need of these supplies:

cat litter, for obvious reasons

extra large towels to cover the trap during transportation, and to cover the recovery kennel. having these enclosures covered reduces stress for the cats and helps protect them on cold nights

warm cat beds, to keep them warm and to have a safe place to hide inside the recovery kennel

feliway spray, a calming spray that works wonders for ferals! i just used up my last bottle

canned wet food. the cheap stuff comes in huge variety packs, cats prefer the taste, and the kitties just need the calories and moisture while they are recovering in my care.

if you would like to donate any of these items to the kitties in my area i have set up an amazon wishlist. this seems like the best option, since you know exactly what your donation is going towards. i tried to find the cheapest options available. if you would prefer to donate a different way, please let me know and we can discuss! i can take PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, and Zelle. and i would be more than happy to send you photos of the cats benefiting from your generosity if you would like! there are also other costs involved when the spay/neuter program finds issues once the cats are under anesthesia, such as worms or injuries and illnesses. i pay for those myself and would appreciate any help with that, but i'm more concerned with the basic necessities right now.

and if you are interested in helping the cats in your area, please google your city + TNR to find local programs! you can also reach out to me and i will answer any questions you have. cat populations are out of control, where i live in the US it is continuously heartbreaking just how many cats need our help. and in many places, like my city, the responsibility of care falls upon people like me doing it in their free time. let's help these often ignored and hidden kitties in need!

credit to @getawayfox for naming most of the cats in the photos above! ❤️

[sprinklethecat]

I'm making this post as I've started a Go fund me for veterinarian assistance for all of the cats we have.

We're working to get the kittens adopted, but we would really appreciate being able to get them spayed and neutered before then. Our first focus is neutering the boys as to avoid any unwanted pregnancies, but after we're going to try to get the girls spayed.

Our main focus with the money is as follows:

Spaying and Neutering

Vaccinations

General appointment fees

Carriers as if we take multiple cats at once they will need separate ones

Rides to and from (if the closest one is unable to take them soon)

Any money left after that will go towards follow up vaccinations and food.

I've looked around and I can get some help with the cost for the spaying and neutering, but it will not cover the whole cost. If you can't donate, I'd appreciate if you reblog this or share the link!

Link is here. I also have pay pal and ven mo under logicalmoose@gmail.com for both. I will try to update the amount we've received on this post periodically! Thank you for all your help 💙

Edit: Put a google document below the read more to share the estimates from the vet I received earlier this morning.

$10/$1000

I put together a google document with the estimates I received from the vet clinic I take Sprinkle to.

Here is the link.

For just the boys, the possible estimates go up to:

Low Total for all three appointments: 237.64 (475.28 for both males)

High Total for all three appointments: 430.64 (861.28 for both males)

It's very pricey, unfortunately, but it'll be easier to get both the boys fixed than try to get all of the girls fixed; and avoid possible spraying. As the age of reproduction can be as low as 3 months, but typically around 4-6 months, we are nearing the age that could be an issue.

[warrior-cats-rewritten]

On Rusty's owners and the human world of WCR.

These people were kind. Genuinely loving towards Rusty. They made sure he was always fed, they called him in at night when they wanted a nighttime cuddle with him, and as we can see hinted at in A Thief in Thunderclan, they looked for him. These people GENUINELY loved and missed him and wanted him to come home.

The world of WCR is a more pleasant one. Shelters are not packed full of homeless cats in this world, spaying/neutering is a choice that you can make if you want to, not one that separates you from a responsible owner vs a risky irresponsible one. (This does not apply to our world, get your pets fixed please). Cancer risks from these things (or not doing them) no longer exist. In WCR it's just there if you want it.

Smudge's owner got him neutered because they didn't want him spraying. Nutmeg was spayed because they didn't want her having more kittens. Quince wasn't spayed, but never had more kits. Sasha was never spayed, but Pickle was neutered. Jessie, Minty, Benny and Frankie, none of them were fixed. Many kittypets are not.

Rusty's owners didn't really want to get him neutered, but the rumors that are passed around by clan cats are that they absolutely will and it will destroy your life. Just like kittypets thinking that clan cats gnaw bones.

But they missed him so much, that they took in a young kitten named Hattie who was a little scatterbrained and needed a home because her current one could not afford her surgery because Hattie was incredibly sick. Her spaying was medically necessary. She survived that sickness with the help it gave her. Later, the family picked up and moved. They moved into a small town near a Nature Reserve and settled there with Hattie, and adopted a beautiful kitten that they named Velvet, giving her lovely toys. Hattie acted as her big sister and the two are incredibly close, though Hattie doesn't like the outside anymore. Too many critters bothering her and they are scary! She's old, and just wants to cuddle and scratch her scratching post.

Alderheart secretly meets with Velvet after she leaves. They have no kits, they just play and she catches a mouse for them to share. When Alderheart is exiled by Bramblestar's Imposter, he is done with being a clan cat. He is offered shelter in Skyclan's old temporary camp, but just like in canon, he turns down the offer. He knows where to go.

He walks to Velvet's home, and is welcomed inside. The twolegs see him, and even though they know Rusty couldn't be that young anymore, and he doesn't look like him exactly, but there is a resemblance they can't deny, and it gives them a sense of closure.

Alderheart is given the name of Rudy, but Velvet and every other kittypet in the area still call him Alderheart. He never has to hunt, or worry about sickness, and while he wishes the others the best, he is happy as a kittypet. He no longer feels the need to be right all the time, to be better.

The people who take him in love him deeply, and take wonderful care of him, and Velvet, and old Hattie.

[cakemagemaeve]

So mama-cat October Daye and her eldest daughter Little Soot are both currently in heat, so that's fun. I'm having a tough time getting them in with the low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Can't happen soon enough! O_o Still, at least they're both inside cats now, and all my boys are neutered.

Since Soot is still semi-feral (though for the most part she's adjusted quite well to living inside and has really bonded with me in particular) and since Toby is such a stabilizing force for her, my family and I have come to the conclusion that rehoming either of them probably isn't going to be possible, so they're sticking around. And since Little Soot was always meant as a placeholder name because I was initially working under the assumption that she'd find a new home, I have changed her name to Marceline the Vampire Queen.

Also, I gotta tell ya, all three of us are more than half-tempted to keep Sir Cheeto the Cheez Doodl of the Marmalade Order, too. He's an absolute treasure of an orange idiot, and I love him so so much.

Anyway, have some more pictures!

Here's Marcy from a few days before we managed to get her inside. She was already letting me pet her at that point and had let me pick her up once without a problem (every other time she's been picked up Did Not Go Well, so I'm slowly building back up to it). She was still so timid and afraid to trust me, but it was clear that she badly wanted to. I started by leaving treats and toys out for her (her mother ate most of the treats, lol), slow-blinking at her when we'd make eye contact, spraying myself and the porch with feline calming spray every time I went outside, and very pointedly not approaching her. Once she realized I wasn't going to chase her, she calmed down considerably. Eventually, she got comfortable being within 6 feet of me, so I started using feather wands as well, which got her curious enough to get closer and closer, until one day I held out my hand and turned my head away (HTTYD-style), and she sniffed my fingers and rubbed her face against them. It wasn't long before she let me pet her, which she's come to really enjoy and is seeking out more and more frequently. She's even tried to get in my lap a couple of times, though she panicked at the last second each time and instead hid underneath the chair. Baby steps. <333

And here she is three days after moving into the guestroom (she and the kittens pretty much have the run of the house these days, and she has been very well-behaved and is responsible for almost none of the daily chaos and nonsense that goes on in this house).

Family photos!

Is there anything cuter than a kitten pile? <333 Damn, they had so much personality even back then.

I've got so many more recent photos of them, but before I can post 'em I have to resize/brighten them in PhotoPea and then I have to convert them from .psds to .pngs.

[hyperdemona]

I actually started carrying pepperspray not because of men, but because a dog bit me and I want to be safe if I were to get attacked again.

Getting bit by this dog (puncture wounds bleeding down my leg, assumed he was running after me to ne friendly till he got close, I was young and oh my bike. Like he literally bolted down an street while I was biking, bit my ankle hard. Flat out aggressive targeted behavior I was biking around a park and he came out of nowhere .) It taught me to start yelling “hey! HEY! NO! Back up!” Dogs can sense anger, dogs can sense territorial animal behavior which is exactly what I’m doing, defending myself territory Aka body. I had this dumb territory try and go after my ankle while biking, I kept yelling “hey, hey, hey, hey,” everyrime I saw him going for my ankle… he stopped and barked all mad and fucked off. Scared the shit out of me when I saw a stuffy loose, held just pepper spray and told him to back up (insecure nervous dog bit thar is also a type that might bite if feeling threatened, he backed off.)

It’s kinda like men; get angry and scream like a bitch and they freak out from that energy.

(Ofc this won’t always work and I don’t blame kids just dumping in your inbox that I get your hate for dogs… I’m grown, not a child, child can’t defend themselves. I was still a girl when I

got bit and I love dogs I’m like wtf 😭😭 I don’t hate dogs, But don’t love them so ouch anymore and don’t blame you for hating dogs…

I don’t get the cat hate from folks, truly; when has a stray cat or a cat that gets out go around attacking folks? I’d trust a cat around a kid before I trusted a dog.

Wondering if so often they say “men are like dogs, women are like cats” cause cats have good boundaries and are “selfish” while dogs are dumb and bark at anything that moves?

I genuinely dislike dogs. Puppies are cute but it's HARD to like dogs these days if ur in Keralam these days. It's sooo bad here. Spaying and neutering have completely failed. It works in western countries because stray populations are low in the first place because of harsh weather, so many do not survive the winter. You only need to spay/neuter/vaxx the rest and have them be adopted. Doesn't work here because these things don't die off naturally and when there's enough of them to form literal wolf-packs, they LITERALLY just start hunting kids for food. Man that poor autistic boy, the villagers are still in shock.

Who tf is going to adopt murder dogs? We don't even allow dogs indoors or consider animals family the way they do in white western countries, it is not our culture. Animals get treated like animals, not people. In fact, dog lovers adopting fancy breeds to raise and then letting them loose in the streets when they get sick and difficult to look after (apparently long-haired western breeds don't do well in the tropics and get sick, WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT 🙄) are the ones that caused this in the first place.

Dogs regularly break into daycares and playschools and attack kids. It's happened multiple times over the last decade. I've seen idiot animal activists even call for an end to spaying/neutering because "dogs have a right to natural reproduction like people do". This is who you're arguing with.

[ineffably-effable]

Effective Strategies to Halt Cat Spraying

Cats are known for their cleanliness and fastidious grooming habits, but when a cat backs up to a door, lifts its tail, and sprays urine, it's a clear sign of marking behavior that can cause distress to owners. Spraying is a form of communication for cats, but it can turn into a significant click here issue within the home. However, this behavior can be addressed and managed with the right approach.

Spraying is not related to litter box issues but is a territorial marking behavior. Cats release pheromones through their urine to convey messages and establish their presence, much like unique fingerprints. While this may be natural for cats, it can be quite unpleasant for their human companions, especially when it occurs indoors.

According to the British Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, marking behavior in cats, alongside aggression in dogs, ranks as one of the top behavioral problems among pets in the UK. It's not just about sexual communication; cats may spray due to stress, conflicts with other cats, or environmental changes.

The Impact of Neutering or Spaying

One of the most effective ways to stop a cat from spraying is through neutering or spaying. Studies have shown that the majority of neutered males and spayed females will cease spraying behavior almost immediately after the procedure. This surgical intervention not only reduces the likelihood of unwanted litters but also can have a positive effect on your cat's overall behavior and health.

Alternative Solutions and Prevention

For those who may have reasons not to neuter or spay their cats, there are other strategies to consider:

Identify the Trigger: Determine what prompts your cat to spray. If it's the sight of other cats, blocking the view may help. If it's due to conflicts with other pets, keeping them separated could resolve the issue.

Environmental Enrichment: Provide your cat with a stimulating environment that includes scratching posts, toys, and perches to reduce stress and discourage spraying.

Clean Thoroughly: If spraying occurs, clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent and discourage repeat marking.

Consult a Veterinarian: If the cause of spraying is unclear, a vet can rule out medical issues and offer advice. They may suggest behavior modification techniques or recommend pheromone diffusers that can help calm your cat.

[just-a-queer-fanboy]

Don't use a laser pointer too much! If they don't catch the thing too many times hey start to get insecure and depressed.

Although cats tend to be solitary hunters, most cats love social interaction, especially with other cats (although if you don't have the means to own multiple, that's alright too). Also, the "pspsps" thing is real.

For some cats, a wagging tail can actually mean play time. Throw a toy in front of them to test this.

Get a spray intended for cats (ex:catnip spray). If you need to get them somewhere like a crate or car, or if you need them to stop doing one thing and do the other (scratching post instead of couch), spray some. It will either chill them out or turn them into tiny fur demons with eternal zoomies. So either way, it'll make them enjoy the thing rather than not wanna do it.

Catnip effects, from what I've seen in my own cats, usually last for around an hour after they come into contact. However, with catnip toys, they'll keep playing with it for hours until it stops working. Prepare for a buzzed little guy.

Do NOT pet the base of their tail. It sexually arouses them and can lead to behavioral problems.

General pet advice, even if they're your only cat or all cats are the same sex, spaying/neutering prevents certain cancers and diseases. Most shelters will neuter before they get adopted, but keep an eye out. Neutering is also cheaper than spaying, as it's less invasive and (I believe) only requires local anesthesia.

Cat owners, can someone give me a “owning a cat for the first time” handbook for dummies run down? My housemate adopted a cutie yesterday and I love her already but I know nothing about cats and he’s at work a fair bit while I’m home.

Just wanna do the best for her 💕

[alleycatallies]

Waconia, Minnesota: Reject Amendments That Place Cats in Danger

Alley Cat Allies sent the following letter to the city council of Waconia, Minnesota, to protect indoor and community cats from dangerous amendments to the local city code. Right now, Waconia is proposing adding cats into laws crafted for dog-related issues, which leaves cats open to dangerous requirements that don’t acknowledge their nature and place in our communities.

We are offering our expertise and support in establishing lifesaving Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) in Waconia and crafting an ordinance that protects community cats, caregivers, and TNR.

Dear Mayor Waldron and Waconia City Council:

On behalf of Alley Cat Allies and our supporters in and around Waconia, I am writing to ask for the immediate rejection of dangerous proposed requirements for cats in amendments to Chapter 560 of the Waconia City Code. These include requiring cats to be leashed or licensed, which is impossible to enforce and fails to acknowledge community cats, or unowned cats who live outdoors. Alley Cat Allies asks that the City of Waconia instead enacts effective, lifesaving policies like Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).

Alley Cat Allies is the leader of the global movement to protect cats and kittens. Founded in 1990, we work toward a world where every cat is valued, and every community has policies and programs to defend them. Alley Cat Allies regularly educates and acts with lawmakers, animal shelters, and the public to change attitudes and advance laws and policies that best serve the interests of cats.

We want Waconia to know that dogs and cats are very different animals with very different relationships to people and our communities. Cats cannot be slapdash inserted into laws tailored to dog-related concerns.

Laws requiring cats to be leashed are ineffective, impossible to enforce, and incompatible with TNR, the only humane and effective approach to community cats. If Waconia agrees to a leash requirement for cats, it will only result in cats being impounded and killed and/or the penalization of compassionate Waconia residents spending their own time, energy, and money to care for community cats.

Under a leash law, any cat not wearing a leash outdoors is a visible target. There is no reliable way to distinguish between a community cat, an owned cat allowed outdoors, and an indoor-only cat who is unintentionally outdoors. All of these cats will therefore be at risk, along with the people who care for them.

Similarly, community cats do not have owners to provide them with licenses or tags or to clean up after them if they defecate on public or private properties. However, the proposed amendments will include cats in laws regulating these matters for dogs. The penalty could only fall on caregivers of community cats, who are not the cats’ owners but good Samaritans providing a community service.

If Waconia’s goal is to address community complaints or disputes, that is better accomplished through facilitating discussions in pursuit of positive outcomes for the cats and people involved. If the goal is to address populations of cats outside, The City of Waconia needs to know that community cats are at home outdoors, and it is their natural environment. They have no owner to leash them, and they generally cannot be adopted into indoor homes.

Instead, the city is best served by supporting TNR and low- and no-cost spay and neuter.

Through TNR, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped for identification, and returned to their outdoor homes. TNR stops the breeding cycle so no new kittens are born, improves cats’ health, and eliminates mating behaviors such as yowling, spraying, roaming, and fighting. TNR also reduces shelter intake and calls to animal services, providing immediate community benefits and saving taxpayer dollars.

For all the reasons above, Alley Cat Allies again urges the City of Waconia to reject the proposed amendments and offers our support to draft new language that protects community cats, community cat caregivers, and TNR. We also offer our support to help Waconia establish an effective TNR program and further humane policies. Thank you for your consideration.

Content source: https://www.alleycat.org/waconia-minnesota-reject-amendments-that-place-cats-in-danger/