To your dog or cat, urine marking is a natural way to mark territory or show dominance in a household. This unpleasant practice doesn’t have to ruin your floors forever — there are many ways to eliminate this stinky problem. First, you need to establish that the issue is urine marking and not a pet who isn?t yet fully housebroken or is dealing with an underlying medical issue. Urine marking is typically a small amount of urine on vertical surfaces like walls or curtains, and often in the same spots. It is usually in response to a specific perceived threat. If this sounds like your dog or cat, here are some causes and what you can do about it.
1. The majority of pets who urine mark are mature dogs and cats who aren’t spayed or neutered. It’s best to have pets fixed when they’re still young, but contact us to get more information about the surgery and your options. Most dogs and cats who are neutered or spayed at the appropriate time will never urine mark.
2. If your dog or cat lives in a multi-pet household, there could be a battle for dominance among animals in the home. First, establish your own authority as the pet parent. All animals should know you?re in charge. It’s also important to encourage positive relationships between pets. Make sure each pet has plenty of toys to share (or hoard) and gets one-on-one exercise or playtime with you. Offer multiple food and water bowls — one per pet is recommended — and each cat should have her own litterbox.
3. A change in routine can cause some pets anxiety. A move or vacation, hired workers or an influx of visitors can cause a tense dog or cat to mark territory. Try to prevent this stress before it starts — keep your pet confined to a crate, carrier or other safe space away from any disruption when new people are around. Be sure to provide extra activity if this is your method of choice.
4. When dogs or cats feel threatened by unfamiliar animals, urine marking may take place. This can happen if your pet looks outside during the day, and other cats or dogs walk by or enter their territory. Limit your pet’s access to windows or those places where other animals may encroach their space.
5. Last but not least, you need to completely eliminate any existing urine marks. Your pet will continue to mark the spot whether it’s to re-establish his own scent or to cover up a scent that was there before, perhaps from another animal. Ammonia cleaners will not work; animal urine has ammonia in it so those will only provoke more marking. Use an enzymatic cleanser in order to break down the molecules creating the odor.
In any case, use positive reinforcement to promote good behavior. When your four-legged friend urinates outside or uses the litterbox, offer lots of praise and treats. Scolding, punishing or “rubbing her nose in it” will not do anything to stop urine marking and instead could make the problem worse by increasing your pet’s anxiety. In some cases, a urinary tract infection could be to blame. A medical evaluation to determine if this is the issue and medication may be in order. Contact us to make an appointment or for any questions you may have.
