Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/8/2008

Question
i have a 4 yr old female every time we open the windows in the spring and summer she starts going to pee all over the house there is a lot of stray cats around our area and we do have bird feeders outside so they come around and use my lawn and garden for the bathroom i have had her tested all test came back neg vet said it behavior what can i use outside to stop the strays coming on my property and how do i get my cat to stop this behavior ty

Answer
Dee,

I'm guessing the cat is spayed. If not that would be the problem.

There is a behavior problem called Redirected Aggression. That happens when an indoor cat sees other cats out the window that is in her territory and the cat can't get to them. They turn that aggression towards other pets in the household or even people. They also pee on things because they are upset and stressed over it, and are marking 'their territory'. Blocking the window that she could see other cats out of will help stop it. If it continues, the personality of the indoor cat can change permenantly.

There is an herbal product that is used alot for stress reduction, called Rescue Remedy. It is available at many health food stores. You add several drops of the liquid to the cat's drinking water. It doesn’t work for all cats, but for some it helps calm the emotions. Here is a link about it:
http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

Also there is Feliway spray and Feliway plug in defusers. The scent has calming properties and reduces stress in cats by copying the relaxing pheronomes that cats produce from rubbing their faces on things. You can get it at PetSmart/Petco, etc., a vet's office, or on-line.

Sprinklers are are about the only thing that will keep cats out of a yard. They have have no concept that this yard is theirs and that one isn't. It's all the same to them.

Tabbi