Comments on 4/4/2003 Nurse Garfield's Field Notes: Furballs

Go to The Secret Life Of Cats - Add a comment - Go to 4/4/2003 Nurse Garfield's Field Notes: Furballs

To Jemmie

My human says that non-speutered male cats tend to spray more frequently. It's a territory-marking phenomenon; the whole tomcat (as non-speutered males are called technically) is trying to advertise to the entire world that "this is my territory, and I want you to stay as far away as possible; if you don't, I'll attack and HARD."

However, she has heard of neutered males and even females (with special glands near their anuses) which spray almost out of vengeance, for spite, for attention, and for many other reasons.

Thank you for writing.

Yours truly,
Garfield Peters, MSFN, Class of 2003

posted by kidnykid on April 9, 2003 at 7:11 PM | link to this | reply

Answer for taliesin

Yes, some cats do give humans "presents" to attract attention. I have never met cats like this, although my furball professor did mention this as a theoretical cause of such "presents;" perhaps they are trying to get you to praise them for something, or even get you to be upset with them. (Remember that visible signs of anger or agitation do reward our need for attention.)

However, my own feline nursing experience - other than with my own furballs, of course - has mostly been with long-haired felines who have been ignored by their owners. One patient of mine reminded me of my feline sister Alison; this particular tomcat patient was severely knotted up. We eventually prevailed upon the evil vet man to take this poor tomcat in to the humane society and report the relevant human to the human police for animal cruelty.

I do hope this answer helps.

Yours truly,
Garfield Peters, MSFN, Class of 2003

posted by kidnykid on April 9, 2003 at 7:07 PM | link to this | reply

I Couldn't Agree With You More--I Think It's A Rebellion Thing--I Don't Know

Or, Maybe an Attention Thing?

posted by Solomon on April 9, 2003 at 6:59 PM | link to this | reply

Hey, I had it BAD!

My very first kitty of my very own was a male. He also had all his "equipment" in place. He'd spray everywhere!!! The worst was on top of the fridge. We didn't realize he'd sprayed up there until it was too late: the urine had removed a spot of the avocado-green paint and was eating away at the metal. We cleaned it then, but, alas, it was too late. The smell stayed for years.

posted by Jemmie211 on April 9, 2003 at 6:58 PM | link to this | reply

Question

Why do your fellow felines always seem to spit their furballs onto a rug (especially a new or recently-cleaned one) and not some easy-to-clean-up place like a tile or hardwood floor? I'm dying to know the answer to this, because I could swear they do it on purpose.

posted by taliesin on April 9, 2003 at 6:53 PM | link to this | reply

As well you should be, Mr. Sawyers

I remember all the little "presents" my long-haired feline patients used to leave me when I was in feline nurses' training. They are disgusting things to look at.

Thank you for reading my blog.