Changes

===Marking Caused by an External Threat===

===Marking Caused by an External Threat===

In the case of spraying caused by an external threat from cats, the '''perceived threat must be reduced''' and the boundary of the core territory strengthened. Basic changes might include installing an electronic coded cat flap so that outside cats cannot gain access to the home and the use of glass etch spray on windows. Glass etch spray is applied in several coats until the window is effectively opaque. Light will still enter, but it will be diffuse. This has several functions. It removes the opportunity for non-resident cats to use visual threats (posture, eye contact) to intimidate resident cats in their own home. It also prevents the resident cats from using internal vantage points to threaten cats outside, and encourages them to go outside instead. This helps to prevent reactionary spraying on areas around the window, which are intended to be a deterrent to the outside cat. Glass etch is not needed on all windows; only those which are known to be used as vantage points by indoor cats or are associated with areas of spraying or provide outdoor cats with a view indoors. It may be removed after marking has stopped for a period of 8 or more weeks, and can be shaved off the window in strips using a razor blade or scraper. This makes the change back to normal transparency more gradual.

In the case of spraying caused by an external threat from cats, the '''perceived threat must be reduced''' and the boundary of the core territory strengthened. Changes might include installing an electronic coded cat flap so that outside cats cannot gain access to the home and the use of glass coating film or sprays can be used to make windows opaque enough that other cats cannot see into the home or be seen from inside. This does not affect indoor light levels and the material can be applied to a limited area of window to obscure a selected part of the view. This prevents non-resident cats from using visual threats (posture, eye contact) to intimidate resident cats in their own home. It also prevents the resident cats from using internal vantage points to watch cats outside, and encourages them to go outside instead. This includes preventing reactionary spraying on areas around the window, which are intended to be a deterrent to the outside cat. The coating may be removed after marking has stopped for a period of 8 or more weeks, sometimes in strips in order to make the transition back to normal transparency more gradual.

The intensity of [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]], [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial and flank marks]] can be enhanced using F3 diffusers (Feliway). These should be positioned in each of the rooms in which the cats spend a lot of time, and used at a rate of 1 per 50-70 m2. F3 may have no effect if used at less than this rate.

The intensity of [[Feline Territorial Behaviour#Core Territory|core territory]], [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Facial and Flank Marks|facial and flank marks]] can be enhanced using F3 diffusers (Feliway). These should be positioned in each of the rooms in which the cats spend a lot of time, and used at a rate of 1 per 50-70 m2. F3 may have no effect if used at less than this rate.

Having made the core territory safer, the aim is to enable the cats to reestablish a pattern of [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territorial defence]] outside. The cats should be given several vantage points that face into the garden but have no view back to the house. This prevents non-resident cats from using these perches to threaten the owner’s cats. Non-resident cats may have favourite places from which they use long-distance visual threats to intimidate the client’s cats. These should be removed or altered so that they are unusable. Flat headed nails,8-10 cm long, knocked into the top of a fence about 6-8 cm apart will allow cats to walk along the fence but will prevent them from sitting comfortably on it. Pieces of sharp plastic doormat or plastic anti-burglar strip can be put onto the top of concrete posts or roofs so that perching is uncomfortable. If a particular perch cannot be made unusable, then the view from it can be blocked using fencing or plants. Glass and other hazardous deterrents should not be used because these may cause injury to the cats.

Having made the core territory safer, the aim is to enable the cats to re-establish a pattern of [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territorial defence]] outside. The cats should be given vantage points within the garden that allow them to control their territory, but which face away from the house so that non-resident cats cannot these perches to threaten the owner’s cats. Non-resident cats may have favourite places from which they use long-distance visual threats to intimidate the client’s cats. These should be removed or altered so that they are unusable. For example, placing anti-burglar "prickle strips" onto shed roofs to make them uncomfortable to sit on.

Softwood posts make good [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|clawing]] places and they should be installed at the edge of the territory so that the resident cats are able to leave appropriate territorial scent marks. Rub them against existing scratch places and then break up the surface with a wire brush to make them appear attractive to claw. It is also sensible to place claw posts or pads near to the cat door inside the home so that the cat can leave a territorial scent mark without spraying. The cats should be provided with outdoor [[Cat Latrines|latrines]] around the edge of the garden, as these also help to strengthen territorial boundary and reduce the need for resident cats to cross other territories to find a latrine.  

The cat also needs to have an opportunity to leave proper scent marks to maintain a territorial boundary. In some gardens there are no suitable objects to claw or spray mark. Softwood posts make good [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|clawing]] places and they should be installed at the edge of the territory so that the resident cats are able to leave appropriate territorial scent marks. They can be made more attractive by raking them with a wire brush or rubbing them against an existing claw marked object to pick up a scent. Claw posts or pads near to the cat door inside the home enable the cat can leave a territorial scent mark without spraying. Resident cats should be provided with outdoor [[Cat Latrines|latrines]] around the edge of the garden, as these also help to strengthen territorial boundary and reduce the need for resident cats to cross other territories to find a latrine.

===Marking Caused by an Internal Threat===

===Marking Caused by an Internal Threat===