Pet Information > ASK Experts > Cats > Cats > 5 1/2 female cat

5 1/2 female cat

15:54:59

Question
Hi, I have 3 questions.
1. If I have my  5 1/2 yr old female spayed will she stop wetting around the house, (like our bedding )

2. Same cat, she excessivily licks herself to the point she is just about bald in some spots, rear legs, belly, base of tail, and base of tail up back about an 1" or so. She is healthy, indoor, nervous and around other cats and dogs, no one else has this problem. I also have her mother who is unspayed and they don't get along to much. If I fix both would that solve the problem?
3.Have you ever tried those plastic nail tips? DO they work?   Thanks for all the help
   Your friend in cats     Peggy Sue

Answer
Peggy,

You may want to have your spayed female checked for a urinary tract infection. That is a common reason they wet around the house. It is painful and they associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere.

Another reason is that she is very upset about something. That would also cause her to pull out her fur. The unspayed female may be part of the problem. Getting her spayed will be good for everyone including her.

The vet can give the spayed female some kitty Prozac to calm her for short term, usually about 2 weeks. That will help with the peeing and the hair pulling.

Nail tips are OK but you have to be VERY careful to follow the directions carefully or the cat will end up with a bad infection from them. I suggest keeping the nails trimmed. Here is a good site for instructions with photos:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm

I hope this helped.
Carol