Nina,
Not exactly.
When I first brought him home two (2) years ago he was
spraying and that was WAY before I started
experimenting with Stain & Odor Removers,
Neutralizers, Defusers, Eliminators, Repellents,
Pheromone Extractors, Disinfectants, Sanitizers and
Ultra-Violet black light Urine Detectors/Flashlights.
Matter of fact, the crazy part, he did not start
spraying until AFTER the neuter operation! Strange
huh?
My house had always smelled "clean" not "perfumey." I
did not burn candles, used Glade scented gel/oil
plug-ins, air freshers, Glade potpourri vacuum carpet
powder (although I use this product now) etc.
Dartagnan started spraying BEFORE all of these items
were tried.
>From my experience, cats (as well as any other animal)
will spray to "mark" that he/she has been there i.e to
announce to other animals as well as to humans of
his/her presence. Cats also spray to "mark" territory
i.e. "That's Mine!" I stake claims on that!"
But to "Stake claims" over literally my ENTIRE house!
There is absolutely nothing that Dartagnan has NOT
"marked." He obviously, wants it ALL. Hell, if he
feels that strongly about it, then HE can pay the damn
mortgage payments!
Dartagnan IS most likely spraying my house to make it
smell more like himself. Fine. Understood.
Therefore, when I go right behind him and clean up his
smell/sent is gone.
So, he goes right back to that very spot to respray.
And on, and on, and on the cycle continues.
The question is: WHY does he feel like he MUST make my
house "smell" like him?
Cats have other means to marking i.e. facial and paw
glands. My other kids use these to mark and believe me
I MUCH prefer it to spraying!
My house apparently was offensive to him BEFORE he
moved in or the veterinarian did more than alter his
testicles. More like alter is brain and personality!
Lora
--- Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Lora,
With all the cleaning supplies you mentioned, it
started me wondering.
Could it be that the scents in these products are
offensive to him and he's spraying to improve the
smell of the place (in his estimation?)
I know that dogs will sometimes scent mark when they
enter a new dwelling to make themselves more
comfortable.
Maybe it's the chicken and the egg syndrome, but if
you've always used heavily perfumed cleaning
products...
For the most part, I use a white vinegar, baking soda
and water solution to clean. Just a thought.
Nina
--- Lora <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Belinda,
I have already tried to get a prescription for
Fluoxetine (kitty Prozac) or Fluvoxamine (a stronger
anti-depressant than Fluoxetine) from any of the four
(4) veterinarians who are involved with Dartagnan's
case, but they are extremely leery to prescribe any of
the medications that I have suggested.
One (1) veterinarian in particular told me that he
absolutely would not, under ANY circumstance, write a
prescription for either one (1) of those drugs. He
accused me of literally taking the anti-depressants
myself and that I was using my cat as an excuse to get
a hold of the medication!
I told him that was a false and insane accusation! I
have never heard of anything more absurd in my life!
Cat medications (of any kinds) would be lethal to
human consumption and vice versa.
At the very least, the anti-depressants would have no
affect on a human due to the severe body weight
difference. The prescriptions are based and CAT'S body
weight NOT a human's; therefore, the medication would
be an extremely lower dosages compared to a
prescription written by a Ph.D. for a human.
The veterinarian became extremely argumentative after
I told him this. According to him, I was NOT supposed
to know such things being how HE was the veterinarian
and I was NOT; therefore, I was not qualified in such
matters.
To hell with that! I am Dartagnan's mother! I know him
better than anyone, including the veterinarians. I
know when my kid is not feeling well and I know what
is best for him! I wanted to work WITH the
veterinarian, NOT tell him how to do his job! I needed
a professional who was willing to work with ME and my
kid NOT argue with me.
"If you are hell bent of getting any unnecessary
anti-depressants for this cat, it will NOT be through
MY practice! This case is off of my conscience."
"Besides," he continued, "what you are doing is a form
of animal abuse. Twelve (12) cats in one (1) house is
the worse form of animal abuse there is and I could
easily report you for violation of city ordinance for
being a hoarder."
I told him he can report me to anyone he saw fit, but
it would not do much good. His veterinary practice was
in one (1) county and I resided in another. Not only
that, but I resided in the COUNTRY not the city, which
released me of any possible "city ordinance" as they
did not pertain to my area of location! I am
definitely NOT a hoarder!
With that, he hung up on me! He has officially been
resigned as Dartagnan's veterinarian.
So, that explains why Dartagnan's current medications
are not working. He needs a stronger prescription, but
no veterinarian is willing to fill it.
As far as cleaning supplies/solutions, honey I have
them all! :)
1.) Bissesll Pet Oder and Soil: Removal formula.
Contains Scotchgard (for carpets and upholstery.)
2.) Woolite: One Step with FibraPure Odor Eliminator.
Foam Carper Cleaner.
3.) Woolite: Fabric and Upholstery. Foam Cleaner.
Removes stains and odors.
4.) Woolite: Pet Carpet Cleaner. Foam Cleaner. Cleans
and freshens entire carpet.
5.) Carpet Fresh: Super Pet. Neutralizes Pet Odors. No
vacuum foam carpet refresher
6.) Carpet Fresh: No Vacuum Foam Carpet Cleaner
Apple Cinnamon
7.) Nature's Miracle: Stain and order Remover.
8.) Nature's Miracle" Just For Cats Stain and Odor
Remover.
9.) Simple Solution Cat Spray & Urine Stain & Odor
Remover
10.) Proforce: Carpet Extraction Cleaner (commercial
strength.)
11.) Kirby: Carpet Shampoo
12.) Hoover Steam Vac: Carpet/Upholstery
13.) Glade: County Garden Carpet and Room Deodorizer
14.) Glade: Potpourri Carpet and Room Springtime
15.) Glade: Potpourri Carpet and Room Cinnamon
Just to name a few.
Dartagnan is two (2) years old. I have had him the
entire time... for two (2) years. I have no clue HOW
the spraying started or why, but it has been a
continued problem for two (2) years.
To my knowledge he gets along fine with the other
kitties. Due to his robust size most of the other kids
simply avoid him. Plus, eight (8) out of the twelve
(12) are declawed.
NOTE: Just for the record. I rescued them in the
CONDITION. I did NOT have a declaw surgery performed!
Therefore, if his size is not intimidating then I
imagine his claws are.
But it does not make any sense! Dartagnan is the
biggest kitty and HAS his claws intact then the OTHER
kids SHOULD be spraying, NOT him! Why would he need to
spray if no one is willing to pick a fight with him?
Belinda, I agree with you about NOT killing an animal
due to behavioral problems, but to what extent? I have
already spent close to $12,000 in repairs as it is.
Where do pet guardians draw the line?
No, separating Dartagnan to his own room is not an
option. With twelve (12) indoor kitties they need
access to every room for ample living space. Besides,
by closing him off, will close off some of the litter
boxes and that only escalates the problem.
For now, his is confined to his own "Kennel Crate" in
the living room.
I have been looking for a no-kill animal
shelter/sanctuary in surrounding states for the past
year, but all are full at the moment.
When I inform the individual, over the phone, that
Dartagnan is positive for Feline Herpes they do not
what him regardless if there was vacancy or not. He
poses a threat to the other cats who are negative to
Feline Herpes.
I am running out of options.
Lora
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