A cat that starts marking should be examined as soon as possible. As the owner, you should quickly find and remedy the cause, as marking can become a really unpleasant habit that not only offends your nose, but also causes emotional rollercoaster rides if it happens repeatedly.
It is usually unneutered male cats that mark their territory on sofa corners, walls, or door frames. However, female cats do this too. It is best to observe your pet closely, as the safest way to catch them is when they are in the act.
A puddle does not necessarily indicate marking behavior, as cats do not mark their territory by leaving a pool of urine on the floor. To rule out a problem with the litter box, you should first check the situation here: Cats are very clean animals and do not like to use a dirty litter box. If you have several cats, they often need several litter boxes, as many felines do not want to do their business where other cats have already done so. So first check that the litter box is clean and in a quiet place where your cat can do its business undisturbed. You can also try a different type of cat litter to see if your pet prefers it.
Once you are sure that there is nothing wrong with the litter box, continue to observe your pet closely: if you see your cat soiling a chair, be sure to investigate the cause.
To get your cat to stop marking, you need to understand why it started doing so. First of all, it is instinctive behavior. By marking, cats are communicating something, expressing themselves. Reproduction plays an important role for male cats. A female cat ready to mate can sniff out a lot of information from the urine. However, it can also be a way of marking their own territory. This is why female cats also mark, especially in multi-cat households. The old game of establishing hierarchy is the reason behind this behavior.
Cats that mark are in some way excited, internally tense, and find relief through marking. When investigating the cause, take a close look at what might be making your cat suddenly nervous. Perhaps a new pet has moved in? Have you had a baby? Do you have less time for your furry friend than before, or have you possibly moved house? What could have upset your cat so much that it has started marking?
If your cat is marking, it is best to consult your veterinarian. It often helps to have the animal neutered: male cats that are neutered between four and six months of age usually stop marking quickly as their hormones adjust. It is more difficult with older male cats. Neutering does not always help, and female cats can also turn out to be permanent markers.
If your cat has been agitated, nervous, or restless lately, you may be able to harmonize its mood with supplements. For example, there are scent diffusers that work with pheromones and are effective throughout your cat's environment. However, you should first rule out any health problems your cat may have.
Also, consider how you can give your cat more attention and provide better emotional support. Marking is not an attack on you, but rather a cry for help and a desire for a safe place within the family.
Dermatology is the field of medicine that deals with diseases of the skin and its appendages, such as claws, horns, and hair. Skin diseases are among the most common reasons for veterinary visits—there are even veterinary practices that specialize in dermatology.
Not all birds are the same. Some are large, some are small, some are loud, some are quiet... To find the bird species that suits you best, it's a good idea to ask yourself a few important questions in advance.
Which horses get osteoarthritis? It very often affects older horses that have already covered many miles in their lifetime or those that have been actively involved in sport for some time. However, horses that have not had regular exercise appropriate to their species can also develop osteoarthritis. Basically, though, there is no general rule. It is also not easy to recognize osteoarthritis in its early stages. Sometimes, horse owners think that their horse is just experiencing a temporary period of overexertion when it has difficulty getting up from the straw. Or they believe that the cold winter is the reason why their horse is a little stiff-legged. After all, who likes to run around at minus 15 degrees Celsius? So where does osteoarthritis start and how can a horse owner best deal with it?
Botulism refers to illnesses caused by metabolic products of bacteria of the genus Clostridium botulinum. Strictly speaking, it is not an infection but rather a form of poisoning, as it is not the bacteria that enter the body but their toxins, which are among the most poisonous biological substances known to man. Many of us are familiar with this toxin only as "Botox" used in cosmetic surgery, where it is administered in very low doses to smooth wrinkles.
Rabbit snuff is a chronic, recurrent infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by various bacterial pathogens. It can be fatal and, due to its high contagiousness, can lead to high losses in large rabbit populations.
Who hasn't dreamed of galloping along the water's edge on horseback? The wind in your hair, a hint of salt on your lips, and the feeling of flying. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but admit it: you'd love to go horseback riding on the beach..
This rightly feared condition is always an emergency. If suspicious symptoms are present, the affected dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic immediately, as it can quickly lead to death if left untreated. A twisted stomach can affect all dogs, but it is more common in medium to large breeds with deep chests.
What child doesn't dream of having their own pony? Many little horse fans beg for one for years. But our little ones don't really know what it means to get a pony and take on such a big responsibility. They just see themselves galloping carefree over hill and dale with their four-legged friend.
As a horse owner, you always want the best for your horse. The selection of muesli, treats, and supplementary feed is huge. But what is right for my horse? Does it really need everything that the horses next door are getting? Unfortunately, overfeeding with individual feed components can also lead to colic, metabolic disorders, laminitis, or other health problems.
Various types of tumors on the edges of the eyelids occur relatively frequently, especially in older dogs but also in cats. In dogs, 90% of these growths are benign, with malignant tumors that tend to metastasize (spread) occurring only in rare cases. In cats, these changes are significantly more likely to be malignant.
HCM is the most common heart disease in cats. Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of an organ, in this case the thickening of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy refers to a heart muscle disease. As a result of the thickening of the heart muscle, the heart can no longer fill itself sufficiently with blood and cannot pump enough blood into the body's circulation. This leads to a backflow of blood into the pulmonary circulation, which in advanced stages can lead to water retention and shortness of breath.
Most horse owners are familiar with and fear this scenario. The horse suddenly stops eating, becomes restless, scrapes its hooves and kicks its belly. Colic basically describes any type of abdominal pain in horses. Unfortunately, colic in horses is a very complex problem and should never be taken lightly.
