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Cat spraying: got professional help



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 6th 03, 03:37 AM
Mary
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cat spraying: got professional help

I just spent $395 to go to a cat behavioral psychologist. Patches spraying was
driving me nuts. Last week he peed on the bed and sprayed the side of it. He
does not have a urinary tract infection. He only sprays near where Mimi likes
to sit and sleep so I knew it had something to do with her. They don't hate
each other but they're not good friends either.

The doctor spent two hours counseling me about Patches and Mimi so he could
understand why Patches was spraying. Patches was spraying because he's upset by
outdoor cats spraying the outside of the house. He's also not that comfortable
with Mimi. I thought I'd share this counseling session so that it might help
others (and they could save the $395!) So far I've done everything the doctor
said to do and Patches hasn't sprayed. It's only been a week. I'll keep you
updated in another few weeks to see if he really stops spraying for good. I
transcribed the below from the big behavioral prescription he gave me.

Dr. Polsky http://www.drpolsky.com

Behavioral therapy interview

Problem: Cat is spraying to communicate. He is upset by other cats spraying the
outside of the house. He is upset by other inside cat. He is basically not very
confident psychologically so he sprays.

Solution: Keep outside cats away from the house so they can't spray the
exterior doors and upset him. Make spraying cat feel more comfortable with
other cat. Make it so he doesn't have to compete for resources, has his own cat
tree, extra litter boxes. Make it so he eventually will like the other cat more
by associating closeness to the other cat with positive things such as food,
brushing, play time. Make previously sprayed areas unattractive by cleaning and
making it impossible for him to spray there again.

A. Increase number of litter boxes from one to four so cat won't feel
competition for resources. Switch to sand litter which they both prefer. Keep
very clean. Two boxes in the living room, one in the office, one in the dining
room.

B. Keep music room closed. Cat was spraying in there and it's easy to block off
that room for the time being.

C. Feed both cats at very close distance, bowls touching. You may have to
slowly move the bowls together. This will make the sprayer associate the other
cat with good things such as food.

D. Brush cat at close distance to other cat so he will associate good things
with the other cat. He likes being brushed.

E. Teach cats to come in command for food treat together so they associate each
others presence with good things.

F. Mutual play sessions in each others presence. Include both of them playing
with a toy.

G. Mutual grooming. Hold finger with petromalt or other yummy food on finger.
Put finger near other cat. Let spraying cat lick food off finger very close to
other cat. Eventually put finger on other cat then put food on other cat so he
can lick off. This should encourage mutual grooming.

H. Provide ample marking locations for spraying cat so he can rub his face and
scratch on posts or brushes to mark using his scent glands instead of spraying.


I. Add a cat tree for spraying cat in location that doesn't have view of
street. View of street may upset him if he sees other cats or dogs. He needs
his own cat tree to sit on because other cat is on other tree.

J. Abut previously marked areas with upside down carpet runners with the sharp
plastic points up so he can't back up and spray areas again.

K. Keep outside cats away from exterior of house with ultrasonice devices,
upside down carpet runners so they can't spray exterior doors and mousetraps
(won't hurt cats, just scare them.)

L. Use Feliway where he has sprayed before. Clean sprayed areas with
anti-icky-poo enzymatic cleaner.

M. Drug administration. buspirone (Buspar Rx)
5-10 mg. BID (2.5 x day).

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...m?Story_No=305
http://www.hssv.org/behavior/cat/cat_spray.htm
http://www.ivis.org/advances/Behavio...r_frm.asp?LA=1
  #2  
Old December 6th 03, 04:59 AM
MacCandace
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Interesting, Mary. How long is he supposed to be on the buspar and does it
make him act differently, lethargic or dopey? I certainly hope it all works
out. I've been very fortunate to never have this problem (just knocked on
wood) and hope my luck holds.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)
  #3  
Old December 6th 03, 04:59 AM
MacCandace
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Interesting, Mary. How long is he supposed to be on the buspar and does it
make him act differently, lethargic or dopey? I certainly hope it all works
out. I've been very fortunate to never have this problem (just knocked on
wood) and hope my luck holds.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)
  #4  
Old December 6th 03, 05:47 AM
blkcatgal
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I also have a spraying cat. The animal behaviorist I consulted with did not
recommend using buspar with my cat because my cat was too
confident....recommended using prozac instead which has helped. Just goes
to show you that there always isn't a "one-size-fits-all" fix. You have to
determine what is causing the cat to spray.

Good luck, Mary. I hope Patches continues his non-spraying behavior.

Sue

"Mary" wrote in message
...
I just spent $395 to go to a cat behavioral psychologist. Patches spraying

was
driving me nuts. Last week he peed on the bed and sprayed the side of it.

He
does not have a urinary tract infection. He only sprays near where Mimi

likes
to sit and sleep so I knew it had something to do with her. They don't

hate
each other but they're not good friends either.

The doctor spent two hours counseling me about Patches and Mimi so he

could
understand why Patches was spraying. Patches was spraying because he's

upset by
outdoor cats spraying the outside of the house. He's also not that

comfortable
with Mimi. I thought I'd share this counseling session so that it might

help
others (and they could save the $395!) So far I've done everything the

doctor
said to do and Patches hasn't sprayed. It's only been a week. I'll keep

you
updated in another few weeks to see if he really stops spraying for good.

I
transcribed the below from the big behavioral prescription he gave me.

Dr. Polsky http://www.drpolsky.com

Behavioral therapy interview

Problem: Cat is spraying to communicate. He is upset by other cats

spraying the
outside of the house. He is upset by other inside cat. He is basically not

very
confident psychologically so he sprays.

Solution: Keep outside cats away from the house so they can't spray the
exterior doors and upset him. Make spraying cat feel more comfortable with
other cat. Make it so he doesn't have to compete for resources, has his

own cat
tree, extra litter boxes. Make it so he eventually will like the other cat

more
by associating closeness to the other cat with positive things such as

food,
brushing, play time. Make previously sprayed areas unattractive by

cleaning and
making it impossible for him to spray there again.

A. Increase number of litter boxes from one to four so cat won't feel
competition for resources. Switch to sand litter which they both prefer.

Keep
very clean. Two boxes in the living room, one in the office, one in the

dining
room.

B. Keep music room closed. Cat was spraying in there and it's easy to

block off
that room for the time being.

C. Feed both cats at very close distance, bowls touching. You may have to
slowly move the bowls together. This will make the sprayer associate the

other
cat with good things such as food.

D. Brush cat at close distance to other cat so he will associate good

things
with the other cat. He likes being brushed.

E. Teach cats to come in command for food treat together so they associate

each
others presence with good things.

F. Mutual play sessions in each others presence. Include both of them

playing
with a toy.

G. Mutual grooming. Hold finger with petromalt or other yummy food on

finger.
Put finger near other cat. Let spraying cat lick food off finger very

close to
other cat. Eventually put finger on other cat then put food on other cat

so he
can lick off. This should encourage mutual grooming.

H. Provide ample marking locations for spraying cat so he can rub his face

and
scratch on posts or brushes to mark using his scent glands instead of

spraying.


I. Add a cat tree for spraying cat in location that doesn't have view of
street. View of street may upset him if he sees other cats or dogs. He

needs
his own cat tree to sit on because other cat is on other tree.

J. Abut previously marked areas with upside down carpet runners with the

sharp
plastic points up so he can't back up and spray areas again.

K. Keep outside cats away from exterior of house with ultrasonice devices,
upside down carpet runners so they can't spray exterior doors and

mousetraps
(won't hurt cats, just scare them.)

L. Use Feliway where he has sprayed before. Clean sprayed areas with
anti-icky-poo enzymatic cleaner.

M. Drug administration. buspirone (Buspar Rx)
5-10 mg. BID (2.5 x day).

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...m?Story_No=305
http://www.hssv.org/behavior/cat/cat_spray.htm
http://www.ivis.org/advances/Behavio...r_frm.asp?LA=1



  #5  
Old December 6th 03, 05:47 AM
blkcatgal
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I also have a spraying cat. The animal behaviorist I consulted with did not
recommend using buspar with my cat because my cat was too
confident....recommended using prozac instead which has helped. Just goes
to show you that there always isn't a "one-size-fits-all" fix. You have to
determine what is causing the cat to spray.

Good luck, Mary. I hope Patches continues his non-spraying behavior.

Sue

"Mary" wrote in message
...
I just spent $395 to go to a cat behavioral psychologist. Patches spraying

was
driving me nuts. Last week he peed on the bed and sprayed the side of it.

He
does not have a urinary tract infection. He only sprays near where Mimi

likes
to sit and sleep so I knew it had something to do with her. They don't

hate
each other but they're not good friends either.

The doctor spent two hours counseling me about Patches and Mimi so he

could
understand why Patches was spraying. Patches was spraying because he's

upset by
outdoor cats spraying the outside of the house. He's also not that

comfortable
with Mimi. I thought I'd share this counseling session so that it might

help
others (and they could save the $395!) So far I've done everything the

doctor
said to do and Patches hasn't sprayed. It's only been a week. I'll keep

you
updated in another few weeks to see if he really stops spraying for good.

I
transcribed the below from the big behavioral prescription he gave me.

Dr. Polsky http://www.drpolsky.com

Behavioral therapy interview

Problem: Cat is spraying to communicate. He is upset by other cats

spraying the
outside of the house. He is upset by other inside cat. He is basically not

very
confident psychologically so he sprays.

Solution: Keep outside cats away from the house so they can't spray the
exterior doors and upset him. Make spraying cat feel more comfortable with
other cat. Make it so he doesn't have to compete for resources, has his

own cat
tree, extra litter boxes. Make it so he eventually will like the other cat

more
by associating closeness to the other cat with positive things such as

food,
brushing, play time. Make previously sprayed areas unattractive by

cleaning and
making it impossible for him to spray there again.

A. Increase number of litter boxes from one to four so cat won't feel
competition for resources. Switch to sand litter which they both prefer.

Keep
very clean. Two boxes in the living room, one in the office, one in the

dining
room.

B. Keep music room closed. Cat was spraying in there and it's easy to

block off
that room for the time being.

C. Feed both cats at very close distance, bowls touching. You may have to
slowly move the bowls together. This will make the sprayer associate the

other
cat with good things such as food.

D. Brush cat at close distance to other cat so he will associate good

things
with the other cat. He likes being brushed.

E. Teach cats to come in command for food treat together so they associate

each
others presence with good things.

F. Mutual play sessions in each others presence. Include both of them

playing
with a toy.

G. Mutual grooming. Hold finger with petromalt or other yummy food on

finger.
Put finger near other cat. Let spraying cat lick food off finger very

close to
other cat. Eventually put finger on other cat then put food on other cat

so he
can lick off. This should encourage mutual grooming.

H. Provide ample marking locations for spraying cat so he can rub his face

and
scratch on posts or brushes to mark using his scent glands instead of

spraying.


I. Add a cat tree for spraying cat in location that doesn't have view of
street. View of street may upset him if he sees other cats or dogs. He

needs
his own cat tree to sit on because other cat is on other tree.

J. Abut previously marked areas with upside down carpet runners with the

sharp
plastic points up so he can't back up and spray areas again.

K. Keep outside cats away from exterior of house with ultrasonice devices,
upside down carpet runners so they can't spray exterior doors and

mousetraps
(won't hurt cats, just scare them.)

L. Use Feliway where he has sprayed before. Clean sprayed areas with
anti-icky-poo enzymatic cleaner.

M. Drug administration. buspirone (Buspar Rx)
5-10 mg. BID (2.5 x day).

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...m?Story_No=305
http://www.hssv.org/behavior/cat/cat_spray.htm
http://www.ivis.org/advances/Behavio...r_frm.asp?LA=1



  #6  
Old December 6th 03, 08:08 AM
Karen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Very interesting Mary. Thanks for posting that. Keep us posted on Patches
progress.

Karen

  #7  
Old December 6th 03, 08:08 AM
Karen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Very interesting Mary. Thanks for posting that. Keep us posted on Patches
progress.

Karen

  #8  
Old December 7th 03, 03:49 AM
Mary
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

How long is he supposed to be on the buspar and does it
make him act differently, lethargic or dopey?


As per the research Buspar is 55% effective in eliminating spraying. It does
not make them dopey while the other medications do. They supposedly will feel
happier. A friend of mine tried Buspar with her cats and she said it just made
them happier sprayers and didn't help. Patchy seems okay so far. I'm giving him
tons of love. He's following me around like a dog, even to the bathroom in the
middle of the night. He's my tuxedo escort.
  #9  
Old December 7th 03, 03:49 AM
Mary
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

How long is he supposed to be on the buspar and does it
make him act differently, lethargic or dopey?


As per the research Buspar is 55% effective in eliminating spraying. It does
not make them dopey while the other medications do. They supposedly will feel
happier. A friend of mine tried Buspar with her cats and she said it just made
them happier sprayers and didn't help. Patchy seems okay so far. I'm giving him
tons of love. He's following me around like a dog, even to the bathroom in the
middle of the night. He's my tuxedo escort.
  #10  
Old December 7th 03, 04:10 AM
Cat Protector
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Actually I think a good animal psychic might work. I remember my mom telling
me that my aunt used one for one of her show dogs to find out why the animal
was so upset. It seemed that the dog did not like one of the judges. I am
sure they are also helpful with cats as well but I have never had to take my
two felines to one.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Mary" wrote in message
...
I just spent $395 to go to a cat behavioral psychologist. Patches spraying

was
driving me nuts. Last week he peed on the bed and sprayed the side of it.

He
does not have a urinary tract infection. He only sprays near where Mimi

likes
to sit and sleep so I knew it had something to do with her. They don't

hate
each other but they're not good friends either.

The doctor spent two hours counseling me about Patches and Mimi so he

could
understand why Patches was spraying. Patches was spraying because he's

upset by
outdoor cats spraying the outside of the house. He's also not that

comfortable
with Mimi. I thought I'd share this counseling session so that it might

help
others (and they could save the $395!) So far I've done everything the

doctor
said to do and Patches hasn't sprayed. It's only been a week. I'll keep

you
updated in another few weeks to see if he really stops spraying for good.

I
transcribed the below from the big behavioral prescription he gave me.

Dr. Polsky http://www.drpolsky.com

Behavioral therapy interview

Problem: Cat is spraying to communicate. He is upset by other cats

spraying the
outside of the house. He is upset by other inside cat. He is basically not

very
confident psychologically so he sprays.

Solution: Keep outside cats away from the house so they can't spray the
exterior doors and upset him. Make spraying cat feel more comfortable with
other cat. Make it so he doesn't have to compete for resources, has his

own cat
tree, extra litter boxes. Make it so he eventually will like the other cat

more
by associating closeness to the other cat with positive things such as

food,
brushing, play time. Make previously sprayed areas unattractive by

cleaning and
making it impossible for him to spray there again.

A. Increase number of litter boxes from one to four so cat won't feel
competition for resources. Switch to sand litter which they both prefer.

Keep
very clean. Two boxes in the living room, one in the office, one in the

dining
room.

B. Keep music room closed. Cat was spraying in there and it's easy to

block off
that room for the time being.

C. Feed both cats at very close distance, bowls touching. You may have to
slowly move the bowls together. This will make the sprayer associate the

other
cat with good things such as food.

D. Brush cat at close distance to other cat so he will associate good

things
with the other cat. He likes being brushed.

E. Teach cats to come in command for food treat together so they associate

each
others presence with good things.

F. Mutual play sessions in each others presence. Include both of them

playing
with a toy.

G. Mutual grooming. Hold finger with petromalt or other yummy food on

finger.
Put finger near other cat. Let spraying cat lick food off finger very

close to
other cat. Eventually put finger on other cat then put food on other cat

so he
can lick off. This should encourage mutual grooming.

H. Provide ample marking locations for spraying cat so he can rub his face

and
scratch on posts or brushes to mark using his scent glands instead of

spraying.


I. Add a cat tree for spraying cat in location that doesn't have view of
street. View of street may upset him if he sees other cats or dogs. He

needs
his own cat tree to sit on because other cat is on other tree.

J. Abut previously marked areas with upside down carpet runners with the

sharp
plastic points up so he can't back up and spray areas again.

K. Keep outside cats away from exterior of house with ultrasonice devices,
upside down carpet runners so they can't spray exterior doors and

mousetraps
(won't hurt cats, just scare them.)

L. Use Feliway where he has sprayed before. Clean sprayed areas with
anti-icky-poo enzymatic cleaner.

M. Drug administration. buspirone (Buspar Rx)
5-10 mg. BID (2.5 x day).

http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...m?Story_No=305
http://www.hssv.org/behavior/cat/cat_spray.htm
http://www.ivis.org/advances/Behavio...r_frm.asp?LA=1



 




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