Do you think correcting this fumigation problem is a losing battle? Would you like to have a bird, a dog or a ferret? After browsing the Internet and trying suggestions, do you still have a fumigating cat at home? Do not feel alone because some of us who have had a feline fumigation have said yes to the previous questions. There is no quick or easy remedy for this problem.

If the cat has a physiological (organic) problem, the vet can usually take care of this and you are one of the lucky few. The rest of us deal with psychological problems that are more complex and difficult to solve. Organic problems are usually corrected by treating UTIs with antibiotics or by performing a sterilization to stop the problem. On rare occasions (and I have one), the cat will continue to spray after you fix it.

Here is a list of tips to help you deal with a cat that has psychological problems.

· Dedicate at least half an hour a day to play, massage, comb and caress your cat. If your cat is spraying personal items, it’s probably upset with you about something. I like to split contact several times a day, but do what you can to have a good time with your cat.

If the cat is stationary and randomly marking on walls, doors, speakers, and furniture, it’s probably upset about other things. Like other pets in the house, litter box maintenance, change in routine, change in furniture, change in access to rooms, and even trouble keeping company for a week or two. Cats are strangers to change, they do not accept change and will fight it tooth and nail.

If the cat is marking windows, glass doors, or screen doors, it is likely due to another animal on the property. This happens regularly with indoor cats who get excited about the possibility of other animals invading their territory. An indoor/outdoor cat is likely to engage first and if he loses this could create anxiety and start spraying on doors and windows.

· If the cat seems to be trying to urinate in the litter box but nothing happens and soon after you find a puddle somewhere else, it is an organic problem and the vet needs to examine your cat.

Here is a list of tips you need to get started when you first notice the cat spraying inside the house.

Buy a powerful portable black light (100 watts or more). UV light will make urine and most other organic things fluoresce and be visible. The house must be dark for the black light to work. Since the lights are out, use coins or painter’s tape to mark the locations. Go everywhere and in every room, including cabinets and counter tops and accessible entertainment centers. Don’t forget the garage if your cat has access there.

· Pre-rinse all places with water and a cloth. Apply 50/50 water and white vinegar in a spray bottle (you can also use this for a pre-rinse and double wash). After drying, you can spray with active enzyme washes such as “Natures Miracle”. Try vinegar first and enzymes as a last resort. Carpet should be cleaned with vinegar and baking soda added to the end of the wet area and allowed to air dry before vacuuming.

The goal is to have a clean house free of cat urine because cats tend to spray the previously marked areas when the smell begins to fade. So getting your house in order is a start.

This tip is the one that I receive the most complaints and arguments because so far you have cleaned the house. Litter box duty has improved and you spend quality time with your cat, but you still have to show authority to bring about behavior change. If the kitten is still spraying, you should catch her “in the act” of spraying. This means spending a weekend or so following a cat, which isn’t the most exciting or productive, but is necessary to initiate a change in behavior. You need to catch the cat in the act of spraying. I like to clap really loudly and use a spray bottle of water as an effective means of changing their behavior.

It is imperative to let your cat know that you are not satisfied with his spray. What you need to be careful of is no physical violence or extreme yelling. The last thing you want to do is create a condition where the cat is now anxious about you. If possible, when you spray the cat with water, quickly hide the bottle so that he is not sure that you did it. Often a loud clap works because the cat isn’t sure what the noise is making.

Most people would abandon or euthanize their cat due to emotional fumigation. This is not an easy problem to fix and you need to be very strong and determined to change your cat’s behavior. To those brave souls who are willing to accept the challenge, I commend you. Most people don’t bother.