Hormonal drugs
There are many special drugs designed to suppress sexual desire in cats.
They are available in the form of drops, tablets or injections. Hormonal drugs, including “Sex Barrier”, “Contrasex”, “Nonoestron”, “Stop-Intim” and others, are often used by owners of uncastrated cats, allowing them to temporarily reduce the troubles that their behavior causes.
A significant disadvantage of hormonal drugs is the enormous harm they cause to the health of the animal. Frequent use can lead to consequences such as diabetes, cancer and other diseases.
In case of emergency, veterinarians recommend using natural-based sedatives, such as “Cat Bayun” and “Stop-stress”. They are not as effective as hormonal ones, but they do not harm the health of the animal.
How to decorate walls: advice from experienced cat owners
If your beloved pet has rendered the wallpaper in your apartment completely unusable, it’s time to start making repairs.
Try covering your walls with vinyl or fiberglass wallpaper. There is no full guarantee that the cat will not encroach on them, but they are very easy to wash with a sponge and laundry soap, do not lose their appearance for a long time and are easily repainted.
Another option: finishing with decorative plaster, just choose more durable brands.
Panels made of plastic or chipboard would be a good option. A cat's claws cannot cause them much harm. And if any of the slabs are damaged, it is not difficult to replace it with a new one.
Wall cladding with porcelain stoneware or artificial stone is considered the most reliable. It is not necessary to decorate the walls from floor to ceiling with these materials. Half this height is enough. The main thing is that the cat’s paws will not leave a trace on them.
Remember all
Mating cats
If the cat is an adult (over a year old) and has already had matings, then there is a possibility that he will never forget about this experience, and the corresponding aspects of behavior will be preserved.
However, it is impossible to predict such a development of events; not all cats are so temperamental, and most of them, after removal of the testes, forever lose interest in amorous affairs. And, if castration was carried out according to all the rules, then claims can only be addressed to nature itself.
The specialist was obliged to warn about this, but, unfortunately, a warning cannot serve as a guarantee of “insurance” against such a development of events. The owners will most likely have to come to terms with this feature of the cat’s behavior and solve the problem every time it appears.
Chemical castration of a cat
If the owners chose chemical castration or vasectomy instead of a banal surgical solution to the problem, well, the risk is a noble cause, but they won’t have to drink champagne this time, since all other castration options, except the classic one, give half-hearted and unstable results.
In this case, they will only have to blame for their short-sightedness and misplaced pity. The solution may be to carry out full castration, but there may not be a 100% result.
Five ways to stop your cat from scratching wallpaper
There are many ways to distract your pet's attention from the wallpaper in your living room.
Method 1: throw a party in your home.
Whatever the temperament of cats all over the Earth, they have one common property - a dislike of loud sounds. Take advantage of this! Hang a few colorful balloons where your cat sharpens her claws. While scratching the wallpaper, she may inadvertently touch one of them. The balloon will burst, the cat will be scared and will forget about its habit for a long time, or even forever.
If an animal uses your bedroom wall to sharpen its claws, it is better to remove the balls at night.
Method 2: Applaud.
If the cat has retired behind a curtain and a suspicious rustling noise is heard from there, take immediate action: clap your hands loudly. As an alternative measure, you can slap the floor with a slipper. The main thing is to try to catch your pet at the crime scene. If you’re late, it’s your own fault: a reproachful look and an expression of offended innocence awaits you, but not repentance.
In addition to your own palms, you can use a homemade “rattle”: pour a handful of buttons into a half-liter plastic bottle, screw the lid on tightly and shake. The effect is guaranteed!
Method 3: water procedures.
Always keep a spray bottle of water handy. To prevent it from looking strange, place a houseplant next to it - for example, an aglaonema, like the famous killer Leon from the movie of the same name - and spray it periodically. As soon as you notice that your pet is heading towards the wallpaper, spray it on her too. Cats really don't like this.
Method 4: aromatherapy.
Another way to keep your pussy away from freshly wallpapered wallpaper is to treat it and everything around it with some kind of aromatic product. Onions and garlic will not work: no matter what your mother-in-law says, the cat is not an evil spirit at all, and such remedies will not work on it. Many people even love this smell and will diligently lick objects treated with it. Vinegar is simply ignored. The smell of citrus fruits is much more effective (and more pleasant to human noses). Spray your wallpaper with a mixture of lemon and orange (or any other oil of your choice) scented oils, or use just lemon. The cat will go around them in a wide arc.
Method 5: Change your wallpaper.
Unfortunately, there is no wallpaper that would cause lasting disgust in cats. But there are some that are quite difficult for cat claws to cling to: liquid wallpaper. They are completely smooth, and most cats do not like such surfaces. You can take a closer look at hot stamping wallpaper. Cats don't like them either. Just carefully glue all the joints so that they do not lag behind the wall.
Attenuation of sexual functions in a castrated cat
It is important to know that the attenuation of sexual functions in each cat occurs gradually and individually. This process can last for several months or even years, or it can end once and for all when the animal recovers from anesthesia.
A castrated cat climbs on a cat - consequences
He can't stop wanting a cat, but he can't become a father. However, there are isolated cases where a castrated cat managed to breed a cat in the first month after surgery, and kittens were born.
Perverted cats
An interesting fact: if there are two cats in the house, and both are neutered, then a “he-she” relationship is possible between them in cases where castration has no effect. Of course, there is nothing dangerous in such games, and there is no point in strictly suppressing them.
A neutered cat wants a cat: reasons
If a cat was castrated at a young age before he had sexual experience, he does not walk on the street and there are no females in the apartment, then in most males the sexual desire disappears after sterilization. But when surgery occurs after the male cat has been bred, the habits can last a lifetime.
For some time, testosterone produced by the testes circulates in the blood, and if a month after the operation the cat smells a leaking female, he becomes excited. Even in most adult males, the desire to cover cats disappears after several months and sometimes years.
In the apartment
An uncastrated cat living in an apartment causes a lot of inconvenience to its owner. If you are not going to castrate your pet, then be prepared to face problems such as:
- Tags. Most unneutered cats mark their territory in this way. This is the natural behavior of a sexually mature animal; it is useless to scold for it. Animals periodically mark the owner’s things, furniture and corners. The tags have a strong odor that is difficult to get rid of.
- Night screams. With a loud cry, the cat scares away rivals from the house and at the same time notifies the females of its presence.
- Aggression. With the onset of puberty, a previously affectionate, playful kitten can become an aggressive male. This is due to the action of testosterone, which encourages the cat to strive for leadership and conquer territory.
Features of the castration procedure
Castration of cats is carried out for various reasons. This could be a very restless behavior of the animal, or excessive efforts to mark the territory, or even medical indications. Castration is the only way to rid a cat of the reproductive instinct.
The operation involves removing the male's testes after puberty. Before 9-12 months, the corresponding instinct does not manifest itself, so there is no point in castration, and besides, the procedure can harm the health of a young cat.
After the operation, males experience sexual desire, but this takes some time. As a rule, the animal does not strive to mate after 7-20 days, but the period depends on the characteristics of the organism.
The behavior of a castrated cat changes slightly:
- the animal becomes more balanced and calm;
- Marks territory less or stops doing so altogether;
- does not try to run outside at every opportunity;
- does not meow at night, demanding a cat.
What to do in this case?
Many owners wonder what to do if the male refuses? The answer is simple. If for some reason the animal refuses to mate, it is necessary to postpone this process indefinitely. Do not under any circumstances try to forcefully mate a female . While waiting for the next mating, it is necessary to provide the male with physical and emotional peace. As soon as the female resumes her estrus period, the animals are brought together again.
First you need to properly introduce the animals. At first, you need to keep them at a distance from each other; the ideal option would be a carrier or cage. Next, the pets are released to get to know each other better, periodically taking them to different rooms.
If the cat walks alone
Owners of unneutered cats who let them outside feel like they are doing a good deed by letting their pet run around and socialize with other cats.
Such people forget about the many dangers that await a cat on the street:
cars that can seriously injure or kill an unwary cat; flayers and simply cruel people who can kick a pet; scattered poisoned dog food that a cat might try; various infections, including those dangerous to people; hungry packs of dogs; fights with other cats, in which the animal may lose an ear or an eye.
In addition, most owners do not want to think about the fact that free-ranging pets reproduce uncontrollably.
Cat owners do not feel involved in the increase in stray animals, because all problems with kittens lie with cat owners, who either get rid of the kittens right away, or let them grow up and throw them away. This exacerbates the problem of homeless animals, and all animal owners who allow animals to roam are guilty of it.
What to do if after castration the cat continues to mark?
It is not recommended to use physical force. This often only makes the situation worse. If there is a need to punish a pet, you need to declare yourself as the main “male” in the apartment.
To do this you need to proceed as follows:
How does castration of cats occur?
Sterilization of cats
After castration, the cat marks its territory, what to do?
- Immediately after detecting feces, grab the animal by the scruff of the neck, then lift it to face level.
- Looking him straight in the eyes, you need to hiss, that is, reproduce the sounds that fighting animals make. It may not work right away, you'll have to practice.
- When hissing, you need to hit your pet’s nose with your index finger several times on the left and right (not too hard).
- During the procedure, the cat will hiss, squirm, and close its eyes. When he meows pitifully, release him.
- After the procedure, you need to re-mark the entire area. To do this, you need, firstly, to clean the corners and get rid of the smell, and secondly, wipe the surface with something odorous (socks, T-shirts, perfume will do).
If it is not a matter of habit, you will have to resort to the following actions:
- In case of cryptorchidism, you need to take your pet for re-castration. This time, abdominal surgery will be required, which is much more complex. Therefore, it is undesirable to use an old clinic (even if they offer to do everything for free), since if the doctor there did not notice that the cat is cryptorchid, then this indicates too low qualifications.
- You can reduce the concentration of hormones by reducing the amount of protein foods. Of course, you need to keep your pet on a diet for no more than a month, so as not to cause a deficiency of amino acids and vitamins in him.
- If your cat is marking his territory due to competition, stress or lack of attention, give him valerian or other sedatives. In addition, you need to give your pet more energy, play with it, and pet it.
- In case of urolithiasis or cystitis, the underlying disease is treated. Anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and antibiotics are commonly used. An important element of treatment is the diet, which is prescribed based on the causes of the disease.
How to deal with this cat behavior?
If the episodes of attacks on your legs do not stop, and the scratches become deeper and deeper, then measures must be taken to wean the cat from throwing itself on its legs. So, what can you do in this situation:
- Give your pet as much attention as possible. Be sure to find time every day for active games. You just need to play with the cat when he wants it, and not when he is sleeping peacefully on the windowsill, and you suddenly remembered that you need to play with him. Use a variety of gaming equipment in your games: a ball for the cat to run after; a soft toy that you can “wrestle” with; a game fishing rod will allow you to play the role of a predator;
- Organize a space around that is as interesting as possible for your cat. You can buy interesting toys, or you can make them yourself. Also regularly offer your pet empty cardboard boxes and bags - fluffies absolutely love these items. You can buy your cat a puzzle toy, this can keep her away from your feet for a long time. But periodically you need to hide the toy so that your pet doesn’t get tired of it. In addition, play complexes, scratching posts, etc. provide excellent occupancy for cats;
- Give your cat a time out. If you feel that the initially innocent play with your leg is gaining momentum, and your pet has become so wound up that its aggression is no longer controllable, then take a break. Leave the room, close the door behind you. Just don't do the opposite! You don’t need to pick up the cat and take it to another room, you need to leave the room yourself and let your pet understand the cause-and-effect relationship between his actions and yours;
- Try to prevent the attack. Usually the cat jumps out of the shelter, declassify its place and before the cat jumps out from there, start moving towards it. This will confuse your pet, because for him your legs are a victim, and he himself is a predator. If you start moving towards him, this will break the cat’s concept of the victim - after all, the victim does not go towards the predator, but rather runs away from him;
- Limit access to those places from which the cat rushes at you. They can be forced with something or a minor rearrangement can be made. This will force the furry to look for a new place, and this will distract him from you for a while.
In the process of weaning yourself from attacking your legs, the main thing is not to show your own aggression and anger. Under no circumstances should you punish your pet for such behavior, much less use force. Because aggression begets aggression. This rule applies not only to relationships with people, but also to relationships between people and their smaller brothers. Show restraint and calm, because aggressive behavior can be perceived by a cat as a challenge, and not as a punishment for behavior. Also, reward your pet for good behavior, as cats tend to repeat behavior that has positive consequences for them. For example, if a cat plays with you affectionately, without digging its claws, then reward it immediately, because this will help establish a clear association between kind play and, for example, receiving a treat.
Can a neutered cat mark territory?
The correct answer is no. However, here you need to find out 2 things: whether the cat is really neutered and whether he is really marking his territory. It is quite possible that the pet simply has a habit of relieving itself in the wrong place.
Signs that a cat is marking territory:
- his urine has a strong unpleasant odor (the main symptom);
- the animal pees mainly on vertical surfaces;
- the pet behaves restlessly, constantly asks to go outside, screams, “demands a cat”;
- the cat's appetite decreases, and he becomes restless, aggressive, scratches furniture (more often, more strongly than usual).
If such signs are observed, then the operation was unsuccessful. It is quite possible that the cat turned out to be cryptorchid, that is, one testicle was not removed, since it was in the abdominal cavity. The surgery will have to be repeated.
Normal urination and marking are two different things. By marking territory, the cat tells the animals that he is the owner of this territory. In addition, the marks attract females. At the time of sexual heat, the pet's urine changes composition due to hormones, its smell becomes extremely unpleasant and strong. Cats also love to leave marks on their owner’s things. Shoes suffer most often, because they have the smell of someone else’s territory, and the pet wants to make them “his own.”
When marking territory, the cat pees exclusively on vertical surfaces. He does this so that the smell spreads further. Also, his instincts tell him that urine is quickly absorbed on the soil, so he needs to defecate on vertical objects. If your pet pees on horizontal surfaces and the smell is weaker than before, then most likely the reason is not the animal’s sexual instinct.
Why do cats jump on walls and door frames?
If a cat jumps on walls, door frames, scratches hard surfaces with its claws, periodically jumps on walls, in order to wean your furry pet from these harmful habits, you need to establish the reason for this behavior.
The cat can jump on walls:
- due to fear, fright, severe nervous shock;
- frequent stress;
- lack of physical activity;
- from boredom, lack of attention from the owners;
- due to the lack of varied leisure activities and toys;
- out of interest or during the game;
- lack of education.
Cats love heights and happily sit on elevated surfaces (on trees, window sills, roofs of houses, high fences), carefully observing the surrounding area. In addition, cats feel safer at altitude . Pets use curtains, furniture, and other accessible elevations for these purposes.
Do not forget that all representatives of the cat family, without exception, are very active animals by nature. While they can hunt outside and play with their relatives, cats that do not leave the house are deprived of many entertainments. Therefore, they can jump on walls and tear wallpaper simply out of boredom or lack of physical activity.
It is possible that if a cat begins to rush around the house, jumps on doors, door frames or tries to climb walls, it does not have enough affection and care.
With such extraordinary behavior, the tailed prankster attracts attention.
Small, energetic kittens often jump on walls or other vertical surfaces while playing, or just out of curiosity. Perhaps the cat is attracted by the texture of the finishing building materials that were used to decorate wall surfaces in a house or apartment. Cats are attracted to reflections of the sun that they can play with, insects, or even patterns on wallpaper.
They often jump on walls due to extreme stress or fear. Anything can scare a cat: sharp sounds, screams, claps, rustling, other pets. Frightened, the cat will intuitively try to climb to a height. Stress in a cat can be caused by a change of environment, new decoration of a room, remodeling, rearranging furniture in the room, or the birth of a child.
Why does a neutered cat mark its territory?
A cat may continue to mark its territory after surgery in the following cases:
Cryptorchidism is a pathology in which one or both testes do not descend into the scrotum, but remain in the pelvic area. Since the temperature in the abdominal cavity is higher, the level of hormones in cryptorchids is much higher. Why do such animals behave aggressively? During surgery, a normal doctor should notice this feature and perform abdominal surgery. But if the veterinarian removed only one testicle, the hormones will continue to be produced, but the cat's behavior will remain the same.
Little time passed after the operation, which is why the amount of hormones did not have time to decrease. In addition, the animal can maintain the habit for some period even with a decrease in the number of hormones in the blood.
We operated on an adult pet who had already entered into relationships with cats. If, as a result of the activity of hormones, he has formed a strong habit of marking the boundaries of his personal territory, then it may not disappear for a long time after castration. If the behavior persists for more than six months, the pet should be shown to a veterinarian or animal psychologist.
Competition for territory with other animals. This is especially true if there is another cat in the apartment. In this case, the habit of marking territory will be stimulated by an external stimulus. As a result, the pet may not get rid of the dishonest reflex for quite a long time.
Stress. When moving or replacing furniture, your cat may want to make the new environment smell more familiar. Of course, why would he urinate in all corners?
In addition, this is a great way to attract the attention of the owner, albeit with a negative sign. Thus, bowel movements in the wrong places during stress are just a measure of psychological protection.
Change of owner
In this case, the uncertainty of a new relationship is added to the stress. The animal does not understand whether it is necessary to follow the old rules in the current conditions. In particular, will the owner demand that the cat go exclusively to the potty. Of course, the assumption is tested in practice.
The appearance of a new pet. In this case, competition for the owner's attention arises. The cat may behave aggressively towards its neighbor, become capricious, or get sick. An option to attract attention would be to defecate in different places. In addition, the tags warn the competitor that he is redundant.
Indifferent attitude of the owner towards the pet. It may seem that cats are too individual and independent to need the attention and affection of their owner. But in reality, they strive for love, just like everyone else. If they don’t get enough of it, they may start doing things in inappropriate places to attract attention.
Urolithiasis disease. At the same time, stones form in the bladder. Because of which the animal has problems with urination. The pet behaves restlessly, refuses to eat, and constantly tries to pee, but it fails. As a result, due to endless unsuccessful attempts to relieve itself, the animal may begin to defecate in any place.
Cystitis. As a result of inflammation, the irritability of the bladder walls increases. As a result, the animal is forced to frequently run to the toilet, and this often leads to the fact that the pet begins to defecate before reaching the litter box.
Why does a cat continue to be attracted to cats after castration?
The question of whether a neutered cat can want a cat is often addressed to veterinarians if the pet tries to ride the cat or imitates sexual intercourse with a soft toy, a fluffy hat, or a velor blanket.
The cat has already had contact with cats
If the pet had sexual contact before sterilization, he tries to repeat it after. The pheromones released by a cat during the estrus stage are detected by the male at a distance and become excited. Whether a cat can become pregnant from a neutered male depends on the length of time after the procedure. Fresh sperm no longer enter the reproductive tract, but the remaining ones are capable of fertilization for another 7-9 days.
After this period, the cat will receive a release and calm down, but there will be no conception. In some cases, a false pregnancy is possible: cessation of estrus, swelling of the nipples, change in behavior. However, after 20-30 days everything goes away.
The operation was performed by an unscrupulous doctor
Another reason why a cat asks for a cat after castration is a medical error.
About 2% of cats suffer from cryptorchidism, when the testicles are not lowered into the scrotum, but are located in the groin area or in the abdominal cavity. With ectopia, the testis may be located in the thigh, perineum, or at the root of the penis. Unilateral pathology is more common.
If there was no thorough examination of the animal before the procedure, one testicle is removed, and the second remains and continues to produce hormones that determine the behavior of males.
Repeated surgery is necessary because over time, the tissues of the dystopic organ degenerate with the formation of seminoma (malignant tumor). Veterinarians advise owners to feel the pet's scrotum themselves before sterilization. There should be 2 testicles there, shaped like beans.
Little time has passed since castration
The behavior of males changes some time after sterilization. The desire for sex persists for another 15 to 60 days, depending on the temperament and sexual constitution of the animal. Some castrates show interest in females even years after the procedure, because... sex hormones are secreted not only by the testes, but also by the pituitary gland and adrenal glands. Sometimes their number is excessive.
Why are pets neutered?
True pet lovers wonder why they should castrate or neuter their furry household members and violate their natural instincts. However, the other half of loving owners believe that it is much more humane to use surgical intervention than to keep their furry friend locked up and tolerate his negative behavior.
In this case, the animal does not cause mischief in the apartment and does not cause discomfort, since, if necessary, it can mate and cope with sexual needs. If we are talking about pets, you should not refuse the castration procedure.
Castration and attraction to the opposite sex
Thanks to the procedure of removing the gonads, animals cease to be interested in the opposite sex. However, after the operation, many owners complain that practically nothing has changed in the pet’s behavior.
He remains partial to females, although not as pronounced as before.
Why does this happen? This is due to the fact that pets have previously been sexually active, whether once or repeatedly. In this case, the pets constantly released sex hormones
This is why the pet remembers instincts from life before surgery, as a result of which the cat wants a cat after castration.
How to determine that a male wants an individual of the opposite sex
Determining what your cat still wants after castration is not that difficult. This can be understood by the following signs:
- The pet constantly lives near the front door or by the window. At any opportunity, the animal tries to escape from the house.
- The furry friend continues to mark his territory. He mainly marks the edges of sofas, the owners' shoes, doors and even walls. The smell is different from cat urine, it is more pronounced and difficult to get rid of.
- Constantly calling the opposite sex with a loud meow. Animals are especially active in the evening.
- The animal becomes aggressive and angry. Trying to pet a cat often results in scratched hands.
When to perform the operation
To ensure that after surgery the animal ceases to have interest in females, cats should be castrated before the age of one year. The best option is 7 - 8 months, during which time the pet’s body has time to finally form and get stronger. In addition, at this age pets do not have a sexual instinct. It is strictly not recommended to castrate a cat too early, since the animal has not reached puberty. In this case, the surgical procedure may be pointless.
How is the operation performed?
For your furry friend, the operation is completely painless. During the operation, the pet is under anesthesia.
Meanwhile, the veterinarian removes hair from around the genitals, carefully cuts the scrotum and removes the testes. The procedure lasts no more than half an hour. After the procedure is completed, the animal comes to its senses; recovery usually takes a day. During this period of time, the pet needs to be provided with physical rest and a comfortable sleeping place should be prepared.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_yQiNNpKIXc
Recommendations for owners
If a cat asks for a cat after castration and continues to actively mark its territory, the owner should consult a veterinarian. Most likely, the doctor will recommend sedatives and possibly hormonal medications. This will help calm the pet and correct its behavior. You cannot select medications on your own.
You can try to distract a cat that is interested in the neighbor cats with a favorite treat, an interesting activity or a toy. A neutered cat who continues to trample cats should be given the opportunity to sharpen his claws. This is an important point that helps the animal mark its territory, maintain its high status and simply relieve stress.
In general, an undesirable style of behavior can manifest itself not only in setting on things, but sometimes on other cats. Animals often rub too hard against their owner’s hands or objects. It is better to stop such manifestations at the very beginning, but not by punishment, but by providing an alternative to get rid of accumulated energy. Interactive toys, such as a soft mouse or a ball, will help here.
When petting a cat, you should avoid overstimulating it. It is worth choosing those areas on the body that promote relaxation, stopping caresses when signs of arousal appear.