Scent Marking = The Ultimate Cat Confidence 

This reminded me of "the cat" in red dwarf going around with a perfume bottle going "that's mine *spritz*... this is mine *spritz*..."

In a veterinary hospital, we see many cats lay in the litter box we give them instead of the bed. It's a really scary place, and the only way they can cope is by surrounding themselves with their own scent (think of it like their only reminder of home). Not all cats do it, but it's very common. If your pet ever needs to spend a night at the vet for any reason, send them with a blanket or two from home. Just make it a cheap one because when we change their bedding it'll probably get lost in mountains of laundry. But they'll treasure it until then.

I moved in with my 12-year-old cat. had 1 cat tray in a bench. she was suddenly a wallflower. so I bought a big open litterbox put it in the little living room by the window. now she is as transformed. completely calm and children can go over to her and cuddle her. without your advice, I would never have done it. thx

Every time i get a shower, my tomcat starts "rescenting" me A LOT! until i smell like cat again 🙂

We own with our sight. Cats own with their smell. Fascinating.

Geez, my cat tells me every moment, “I own you!” and I just feel so loved by her😻

I just want to say that I enjoyed reading the comments here. Everyone is so kind and concerned about their cats, it’s heartwarming 😀❤️

Hi, that was very interesting and informative. I have multiple cats, multiple catified areas, multiple litter boxes, multiple pillowed, window ledges, hence, my house is not only scent soaked, it’s saturated! Lol. Thanks, see ya.

What I love more than the comprehension and understanding Jackson Galaxy brings to my relationship with my cats is the results-driven guidance that maintains the health and positivity of that relationship.

"I smell you, I smell me, we are whole... You know. Kumbaya" Lmfao Jackson always cracks me up. I need to get more scent soakers for my kittens.

I am French so the comparison with Napoléon and your animation of the cat wearing his headgear and conquering territory around the house was just sooooo hilarious. Love you Jackson! Your shows pop on French TV at times (not sure if you knew!?). Now considering getting a Napoléon hat for my furry baby to show human slaves who the boss is!!! Just kidding. ... Love from France.

Speaking of litter boxes, I adopted 3 adult cats separately, and it turned out they did not get along. They were peeing all over the place. Eventually, I thought to add more litter boxes (originally just had 1). Fast forward a couple months, I ended up with 7 litter boxes for 3 cats. Hey, it totally worked. I had to clean them daily, but it totally worked and I could keep all of them then. We were at our wits end but, yay, after this, peace reigned. For a while anyway. 😂

I have ALOT of cats. 13 at the moment. One special baby Dusk, has urinary tract problems. I had been working with her to stop peeing literally everywhere. Mainly on my bed and many times me. I know it's more than the urinary issue causing her to pee in the unusual places. I have many litter boxes but I still didn't have enough. I placed 2 more boxes in my house. In the two most important areas for her. The kitchen and my bedroom. I had to cover my bed and other areas she frequent with puppy pads. While giving her treatment for her urinary problem, I started with the litter box near and on top of of the pads. I gradually reduced the pads and moved the litter boxes near by but in a more suitable area for me and her. She had finally stopped peeing everywhere and most importantly stopped peeing on my bed. Almost instantly when I added the litter boxes her behavior improved and my other fur babies calmed down and there was less chasing and blocking and marking. Jackson is sooooo right. I can not believe the difference and improvement from just adding more litter boxes!!!

I did wear my sister's hood, my sis- cat mr.slipper smelled her scent on the hoodie as i picked him up, it was adorble as he started to purr instantly.

We moved to new house,new state, we got new furniture, we took the comforter off our bed that sleep on it, and we cover the new furniture with it, it provide their scent, and left it . Work like a charm

Tip for making your new cat more comfortable: When you pick up your new cat at the shelter, ask them if you can have the blanket, bed, or toy that the cat loves. Whether you give them some in exchange or they give it to you for free, they will probably agree.

Recently got a kitten, and he is absolutely thriving. My favorite quote from you Jackson was that litter trays aren't dirty, people are dirty. I scoop my cats poop as soon as he does it/whenever I see it, and I do not have any problems with smell in my home! Have a litter tray in my bedroom and in the laundrey room and it's perfect! Scent soakers in every room, and my boy has been here for a couple months now, but hes just so confident and friendly! Your videos really helped! Base camp and scent soakers rock!

My cats lucked tf out then. I have a mild perfume allergy so they get unscented pine litter, not an air freshener in the house, and so many of Jackson's tips employed lol.

My cat was very stressed in the shelter and on the long car ride home. We were fully expecting him to immediately hide in the basecamp. The first thing he did was burst out of the carrier and scent mark/rub against every object in the room, including us humans! It was very sweet to see. For the first week or so, he was territorial over every object that touched the floor and phantom spraying around, now he is more confident and has really calmed down. He was definitely happy to be out of the crowded shelter. It was a small place with very few resources. He was confined to a small kennel bc he didn't get along with other cats. Meanwhile there were probably 20+ cats freely moving in the room, dogs constantly barking in a different room. They were definitely doing their best but in over their head.

Thank you Jackson, you just explained something which mystified me at the time. Many years ago, I noticed that whenever I scooped out my kitten Banichi's litter box, he'd watch me, then as soon as I finished, he'd jump in and immediately use the litterbox. At the time, I'd joke that he was thinking, "You want to collect that? Well, in that case, here's some more! It seems weird to me, but whatever floats your boat..." ;-D

The litter box thing confuses me so much, especially when your cat is peeing/pooping on the floors. Like, sure, the litter box is ugly, but what's worse is coming home every day to your living room to find pee soaked into the carpets and rugs, or your hardwood floor lifting because your cat has peed there so often. Between cleaning pee off the floor and dealing with an ugly litter box, it's pretty obvious what the best choice is for you and your cat.

4 cats here, I think and hope they are happy in their home.

You're a great guy. It's people like you who gave me the knowledge to NOT declaw my first cat 8 years ago, when the vet recommended doing it while she was spayed. I did my research then, and I am so glad you are getting the word out about how to treat kitties right. I now have 4 very happy, healthy kitties who know boundaries (no scratching furniture and leave mommy alone when she's sleeping!) but also know a lot of love. FWIW, 3 of the 4 love belly rubs haha. :)

Graff-pee-ti. ...I had to.

Omg... For years I've been washing the litter box every time I change the litter. I honestly thought my cats would like a clean box more than one that smells like poop. I can't believe I was wrong about this. And to think I even hate doing that!!

My hubby also has a sensitive nose. He hates the smell of cat litter and has always wanted to put the litter box out in the garage, which I objected to. If we did that, the cat would think he lives in the garage and not with us. It took me quite some time to find out that the Arm and Hammer cat litter is really the best. It doesn't seem to have a lot of odor, but at the same time, it keeps the cat odor down. It's also light enough that my senior cat loved it for the ease of her being able to push it around. But the litter doesn't fly around or cause dust either. So that plus a gigantic high sided liter box seems to have done the trick.

Yes, as long as you scoop, your house won't smell bad. 😺 ❤️ If your cat doesn't cover their poop, instead of using perfumes just get your ass off the couch and scoop immediately after they poop. haha. 😂 👍🏼

OHHHH! I always wondered why a past cat of mine always ‘bathed’ herself in the litter box once I changed it. Okay, no more scented litter. Now when I change (not often) the box I always place a small leftover poop in it. No issues. Thanks Jackson!!!! 😻

Jackson I have to tell you that your advice regarding our old calico bully cat was a success! You are a cat genius! We were at loss as we adopt senior cats & Dogs to give these old babies their forever home and the last cat we brought in was being ambushed and it affected all of their potty behavior! Thank you so very much for your fantastic advice!

Yesterday my cat had surgery and when we came home, I felt I had to take his tree away from him because he was so wobbly from the drugs and I didn't want him to misjudge a leap and hurt himself. He sat in the spot where his tree used to be and stared at me (with highly dilated pupils) and gave me such cranky faces! Oh yes, the tree is 6' tall and is in the middle of my living room...literally in the middle of the room. I got this cat in March, minutes before COVID lockdown, and the tree came with him. He's 5 yrs old, a grown up. At the time, I didn't care where the tree was as long as he wasn't able to get on the mantle from it. I figured I could sort it out later. Turns out, that's where he likes his tree and, really, I don't care all that much. PS...one day I came home from the barn and, after riding and roughing it up with three dogs, removed my breeches and they landed on the floor. Felix peed on them. He's never peed on anything else, just those. Message heard! This is my first cat (I'm a horse/dog person) and I'm learning a lot through watching him and now your videos. Thanks!

Yoooo I never even considered that. We got a new kitten and my cat started scratching up the couch all of a sudden. I put a cover over it thinking "oh she has a cat tree to scratch" and now she's peeing everywhere in that spot! Yeah, that was about the same time! Thank you, Jackson. She's making me lose my mind lately lol

So far, without realizing it, I've done everything right.

Giving my single cat 2 liter boxes has been an amazing thing to learn. ( Best cat advice ever!) The clean up is easier and the smells are lesser just because my cat likes to spread out his business. Normally it takes like two minutes of my time to scoop the cat boxes and with the new clumping litter, litter lasts much longer. I know a lot of people gripe about the space two boxes take up, but it is worth it! So rule of thumb 2 cat boxes for 1 cat and add a cat box for each additional cat. I wish I knew the things I've learned from Jackson back in the 90's.

It's so true. At first I did try the scented litter. Not only did I find it awful but my cats didn't use it. I quickly found an unscented litter that they have been happily using for almost 2 years. I will never change to another kind.

We had a kitty that was scared to go into our front/living room. I took Jackson's advice and put a litter box in there, because it's a socially significant room and now she owns that room!! She naps in there during the day, even when we are not there!! I love seeing her so confident and happy in there!!! Thank you, Jackson!!!

THANK YOU for this video! I have been telling my friends and family about the cats sent markers and about the cat litter they use for their cats! I switch to a natural organic cat litter " World's best" that is made from corn! Years ago and no one has ever detected cat boxes in my home! I feel so validated by this video and confident I am doing the best for my fur babies ❤😻❤️😻

Scoop and replace litter until the "clean" litter smells bad. You then dump that "clean" litter and just refill with fresh litter. Have never had a problem with my 14yr old and don't think I've ever washed her box. Closest thing I've done to washing it was to rinse with plain water, but usually only if its been spaced for a few days (like I went on a couple days vacation and my sister watched her lol)

The drumroll hahahaha. Getting kittens today, love your videos. I'm going to go set up the litter box right after this video.

This is a very interesting concept Jackson Sweetie. i take care of three outside kitties and i have two chairs. one chair i sit in and the other chair i have a nice big plush pillow in the other. one of my cats sit in the chair i sit in. they claimed MY chair! i think it's because my scent is in the chair and they identify with it.

Thank you so much! I have lived with cats my whole life and I learn something every single time I watch a video. Your content is presented in the best positive way - positive, educational and supportive. My current cat is obsessed with his bed - I'm getting more to put all over his favourite places to hang out! THANK YOU.

Your advice is always extremely valuable for me. Every video you upload helps understand better cats. I'm very glad you keep doing this. Stay safe!💚

Thanks Jackson. My mum has a Napoleon cat, buddy. I cat sit regularly and he has a tendency to spray on my belongings. I'm going to try some of your tips when I cat sit next. I love buddy and he's a senior boy so really want him to feel confident and get his ownership back x

You are a savior, Jackson! I am already at my wits' end with my cat's spraying. These tips will be a game changer! Can't wait to try them! 🥰

I am a first time cat friend after growing up with dogs my while life. I did not get along with my cat at all for a while, but after watching your videos and feeling like I actually understand my cat better, he and I are buddies now! You're a lifesaver

We adopted 2 kittens a few years ago and they had their first fight in June. A play fight that got out of control. Our happy human / feline family turned upside down. Of course I bought Jackson’s book, immediately and have been slowly re-introducing the cats again. We thought we were doing great with four litter boxes in the laundry. Wrong. Didn’t know they would see four together as one. We now have a little box in the kitchen. One in the living room. One in our bathroom and one in our spare room. Gone are all the scented candles and house never smells.

I can watch anything that you show me Jackson. You are flavour in my eyes, even Oliver comes to listen to you.❤️

I loved this! Even when I think I know about something cat, I always learn more, or deeper, from you.

"I smell me I smell you we are one..." Like a smell symphony!!😂

Wonderful tips for a relaxed sunday !

I have learned so much about cats from watching you!! My babies and I are so thankful for all the information you give.

I've just discovered this channel. I love that you are affirming everything I ever did for my cat mates as in their best interests. No wonder they loved me so much. No wonder Neighbour Cats want in on it too now.

When I first moved in to my new place, my 3 cats were not happy at all. They were scratching on my bed, going in to closets (idk how the openned them), nipping on my freshly washed clothes, and marking a little on my pillows... However!!!!!!! The moment I placed sisal ropes on table legs - and space is fairly small like 5 people would feel like a crowd already - and then placed 2 litter boxes... They looked like they've been in our new place ever since I adopted them (which like a year) And to put everything short, SCENT SOAKERS. I don't know how I would've lived without knowing how scent was hella important.

I appreciate your no-nonsense approach to living with and loving cats so much. Have you ever done a segment on healthy flea control products for cats

Love it! My kitties are doing better with ,more litter boxes! You’re right and thanks!

I learn something new everytime, thank you for making these videos!

In cleaning & changing out the litter in a litter box, I recommend reserving some of the old litter to mix in with the fresh litter. That way, you don’t eradicate your kitty’s scent from the box.

Thank you, I love your videos!

Jackson I love watching your videos you are a blessing to all of us who are fur parents. Many blessings and love from me and my baby Luna.

This is eerie, I was literally just thinking about why scent is important to cats lol. I've noticed how my cat and my mom's cat will sniff each other and rub heads whenever they first see each other and I've also noticed that my cat will often lick me and then lick himself. He likes to greet me after I shower and rub against my legs too. Thank you for making this video, it was very insightful! **He also has a spot on my(his) recliner with an old blanket that I used to sleep with. If he's not in the room with me, I can usually find him in that hangout spot napping lol.

I woke up to “spray my name spray my name”. I love you your my manskiii!!! For real I’m so happy I found you 😍😍

The advice about the litter tray is so valuable thanks legend!!!! 🙏

I just wanted to say, I'm going through a difficult time with my cat, lottie, right now. She was diagnosed with hyper thyroid and a heart murmur after being hospitalised for weeks. I nursed her back to health, but the constant vet visits and medication have her so, so stressed. She hardly trusts me any more. Add into that an imminent need to move and I have one very unhappy cat I've been binging your videos for any bit of information I can use. And making all the changes I can. I'm not about to give up on her because it's gotten hard. Your videos have been such a wonderful wealth of information. The changes are subtle right now, but she's ever so slowly coming back out of her shell. Hopefully it'll continue! Thank you, for everything you do 💜 I've spent nights crying over how sick and stressed she's been and your videos have really given me hope. They're invaluable.

thank you for all of your great videos! we're getting a new cat and with all of those great videos we're getting really confident that we gonna teach the little girl all right and that we will setup a perfect home for her. THANK YOU!

It’s always helpful when I watch one of your videos and come out with something new to work on, but it’s also reassuring when I come across one like this with stuff I apparently picked up by accident by watching my cats already. This also makes me feel less like a weirdo for headbutting my cat back when he headbutts me! (At which point I have basically committed to petting him for at least ten minutes or he’ll follow me around looking sad. ) This has given me some ideas for keeping the water dish and litter box in my room a neutral zone, too! Thank you! I’m whittling down my family to just put a second box in the house somewhere, and linked them a lot of your videos, but at the moment the cats have to go through my room to my bathroom to get to it. My cat’s scent marked my bedroom way more than my mom’s, so she gets wary crossing through his territory, but it’s a straight path from my door to the bathroom along one wall. When I rearrange, I might rotate some of her stuff in along this wall for when she wants to hang out in here and see if she feels more secure then. She doesn’t avoid the bathroom right now, but she’s visibly on guard and we’ve been trying to work on that while I convince the rest of the household that yes, we DO need another box of cat litter somewhere in this house!!

Amazing information. Thank you so much. I'll do that.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge ✅❤️🐈

We are big on reusing and recycling. The cats get all our old towels and they LOVE the shoebox/towel combo by the window! 🙂🥰😸

I've learned so much from your videos! Thank you! 💕

Love love love the title of this video Jackson Galaxy! Lol!🐹

Why would anyone give a dislike to this video?

Thank you Jackson for all your videos!!!! A month ago I adopted a stray kitten and your videos help me understand a few more things about cats! So he (my cat) started marking bathroom and my parents' bedroom, two places he haven't been many times... Also he is obsessed with my bed(!). Now thanks to you I know the reasons! :)

Thank you for your advice Jackson, I've done as much as I can and I'm constantly adjusting and learning with the two new girls I got a week ago. Because of your advice, they're confident and happy, and I've had no issues with things like excessive scratching, peeing, or spraying around the house. As long as it's scooped regularly, the smell doesn't stick so I've got the trays in the living room, out and proud as it were. If my guests don't like it, tough! The cats come first.

I live on a boat with a catflap. My own cats, several semi-feral cats and a few feral cats come on board as I give them food. Not one has ever urinated to claim it as their territory. Maybe they realise I treat them all alike and won't hurt them. A couple of semi-feral cats now let me stroke them but nobody else can get anywhere near them. Wow! The cat at 7:10 is the spitting image of my eldest cat, Ben, even down to the white paws.

❤️Thanks for all ur tips n tricks

wow, mind blown!

Scent-marking or absorbing could work vs soaking. 😺 I hope Cat Cave resumes soon... Caturdays were more fun when you invited us "in".💜

Love, love, love your cat wisdom. Thanks from me and thanks from Oliver. Learning so much, you are fun. My 'boy' is a very good cat, I've only had him for 3 months, which makes him approx 21 months now. Just you talking about cats is great. And.. you have made our relationship even better. G B. From Australia.

Having a multiple cat household this was super helpful !!! Thank you!!!!😻

OMG Jackson!!! Thank you soooo much!!!!!! This is the ultimate guide for Napoleons (and Napoleonas like my case)! I'm doing it right now all changes!

My cats finnegan and nala say hello and thank you for all of your knowledge! They love watching your videos with me!

Thank you. You have been very informative!!!

I really think this is one of his best videos. It also makes me feel good knowing ways to make it a happier home for the babies 🐈♥️

I have two cats and I have a separate litter box for each one. I also bought them each a separate scratching post. They each have their own cat castle in different places. I put their food on different floors. It really helps my more territorial cat get along with the other. They each have their own things and space when they want to get away from the other and can coexist and even play together on the main floor where the family hangs out.

I'm glad this popped up. I just took in one of my old cats from Mom's. He came from a hoarding situation. He has been spraying, I'm going to try more litter boxes and cat beds. Thank you! 💖

My partner and I have 6 rescued cats... love your vids :)

10:17 was the BEST thing I've seen on this channel. lmao!

I love your dedication to cats. Few things are as beautiful as a cat. I am a human cat, as I suspect you are too, Jackson. We are sensitive and independent, and we are loving.

5:15 my ginger girl pumpkin does that same lil move but we call it her happy dance, no spraying lol

I'm dealing with this now. Thanks for the tips!

I revisit these videos often, I’m always trying to improve the ways I interact with my 2 cats. Because of JG my 2 cats have access to a minimum of 3 litter boxes at all times, and although I’ve been watching, sharing and proselytizing these wholeheartedly for years, I do still need reminding. Up until today I had forgotten that I need to spread the boxes out, they are currently all in eyeshot of each other.

I let my little kitten run around the apartment freely. He soaks his scent into everything. The rugs, bed, every sheet and blanket, pillows, couch, cat tree, two litter boxes, multiple scratchers, the list goes on. lol I'm first time cat dad. Thanks to you and all your helpful tips and knowledge, my little guy has the perfect cat mojo. By chance would you consider making a video on motion sickness? I'm trying to get my ragdoll comfortable for long road trips. He flips out a little bit. Cries and cries. Hopefully he will snap out of it the more shorter rides I take him on. Anyways. Cheers JG. 😀😺

That is very helpful Jackson! I will reduce the frequency of washing our cat litter trays.

Who else is watching this with their kitty laying on a scent soaker? Mine’s on a blanket over my lap.

I am a first time cat owner. I adopted OnyxJade, yes he's b/w at 7 months old from the SPCA. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would have done during the orientation process..lol. You saved my marriage (to my kitten). Thank you "cat ghru"!!!! for all your infinite wisdom. BTW, condolences to you on your recent loss of your furbaby.

Hello Jackson! Thank you so much for teaching me so much about cats. Among my friends and family, I'm often known as the cat whisperer, so they ask me questions about their cat behavior. The one thing I talk to people the most is about over stimulation-- people don't seem to be educated about it enough. Wondering if you'd be able to make one specific video about "over stimulation" -- what is it, when does it happen, what are the signs (ears back, tail flipping, etc). I know you talk a lot about this when discussing other topics, so it'd be nice to have one video on this. Thank you!!

Thnx Jackson. Brilliant vlog/info. My 4 inside cats are all male and all neutered. (They have access to garden too) All abandoned/ rescued from neighbourhood. All spray inside various places. Plenty of soakers, beds,cat beds, scratchers but still mark. Really fed up as soon as clean spray they do it again. If anyone has kind fab ideas how to stop this, be so grateful. Yes their scent is everywhere why should they spray as well. From ... disheartened...

omg I dont really care about having litter boxes all over my house. I can clean them multiple times a day and they dont smell bad in here, so, no problems. my cats are happy, I'm happy ❤️

This video lets me know that i am doing everything right by Cubby to build his confidence. This is critical because it was so shattered after his first year of life was spent being tormented by his first owner. Since he adopted me (no joke, and long story), he has had this obsession with marking me immediately after I get out of the shower. It was through watching your videos that let me know that this is a sign of affection and not just him being a pest. I encourage him now to wait until I am done drying off because no one likes wet cat hair on them when they are fresh out of the shower. So, while I towel off we have a chat about how much he loves his mommy and how he's gonna make sure that all the other kitties know that I'm his mommy and not theirs. He's a good boy and the joy of our life as my husband and I have no children. PS-thank you for your sign of approval of Armarkat cat trees. This made it easier to select one among so many. He's been a different baby since getting one a couple of years ago.

I have a very small space in my apartment, but I have my "Precious" litter box by the front door. I don't wash down the litter box. I also don't dump the whole box of litter... only scoop the used (potty clumps and poop clumps) and dump that. Then I add a small amount of new litter once a week, so she can smell her scent still. I use corn cob "Arm and hammer" litter. She seems okay with it.

I just moved to a new country and I wasn’t able to bring anything to the new apartment other than clothes. I let my cat roll around in them before we left, then when I got to the new place I basically scattered my clothes all around the house. I was in quarantine when I arrived so I had my husband pick up a literal bucket full of new toys and he was in heaven! New things that he can make his own made him so happy! Honestly even something as simple as that helped make him comfortable and confident in the apartment after a week vs the month it took for him to get comfortable last time we moved. I still haven’t had time to totally catify the apartment yet, but he’s a happy kitty who enjoys his toys and sitting in the loft looking out the windows :) thanks for your tips and helping the move go smoothly!