Category: Behavior

When Do Cats Stop Growing?

When Do Cats Stop Growing?

Why do cats stop growing? Usually, kittens stop growing sometime around their first year. Their body and bones are already fully developed, but sometimes they can still have some extra filling in to do. While most cats will stop growing within 12 months of birth, not all cats will fully finish growing. Some continue to grow well into adulthood, while others only reach their full size after many years have passed.

If you’re asking yourself: When do cats stop growing? How do you know when your cat is growing old? When does a cat stop growing? How do you tell when your cat has reached its prime? If you are trying to find out the answers to these questions, you should know a little bit about how cats work.

Cat Growing Stages

When do cats stop growing? When they reach their final maturation, that is. That’s because the most important thing for a cat when it comes to growth is just reaching the adult stage. The older a cat gets, the less likely it is that it will keep growing. Most breeds reach an “adult-size” somewhere between one and two years after they were born. While they usually stop growing during that time, kittens and cats rarely stop growing altogether.

So, how do you know when your cat is getting old? You can look at your adult cat and judge its size and look at its habits. If it is eating a lot, is sleeping a lot more than usual, and generally appears to be a bit slower than the rest of its peers, then you know that it is getting on in years. This is not a sign that anything is wrong with your cat; it simply means that it is getting older.

How much do cats weigh when they grow older?

How much do cats weigh as they grow older? When cats are young, they usually only need a litter of one to five pounds. But, most cats, depending on the breed, need at least ten pounds to be regarded as a mature cat. When they are around ten pounds, they are ready to fend for themselves.

Some domestic cats actually stop gaining weight when they are nearly a year old! When they enter adulthood, many breeds stop gaining weight because they enter into a different stage of their life. Many pet stores and breeders will tell you that younger cats can have a more active lifestyle than older, grown breeds.

How can my cat grow older?

So, what makes cats grow old? One answer is food. Food does play a big part in how old your cat gets. Some experts say that giving your cat the right food can actually help you predict how old your cat will become. Most cat food companies offer formulas that are based on a particular timetable. Some even use growth charts to give you an idea of where your cat may be at various points in his life based on how much food he has been eating.

Nutrition is Key to Your Cat Aging Well.

If your vet gives you a growth chart, or you see one in the pet food’s manual, try feeding your cat the appropriate formula. You may want to start your pet’s life in a small amount, then increase it as it grows. Even if it is not your intention to give a cat meat every day, it may still be best for him. Also, be sure to talk to your vet about what vitamins or nutrients your cat needs for optimal nutrition; some foods are better protein sources than others.

When you look at the various breeds of cats, you will see that many have different requirements for being fed and nurtured. When you are considering raising cats, you will want to provide them with everything they need, including plenty of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. When you feed a cat food with all this in it, you will help them live a long, healthy, and happy life.

When Do Cats Stop Growing?

Why do cats stop growing? Usually, kittens stop growing sometime around their first year. Their body and bones are already fully developed, but sometimes they can still have some extra filling in to do. While most cats will stop growing within 12 months of birth, not all cats will fully finish growing. Some continue to grow well into adulthood, while others only reach their full size after many years have passed.

If you’re asking yourself: When do cats stop growing? How do you know when your cat is growing old? When does a cat stop growing? How do you tell when your cat has reached its prime? If you are trying to find out the answers to these questions, you should know a little bit about how cats work.

Cat Growing Stages

When do cats stop growing? When they reach their final maturation, that is. That’s because the most important thing for a cat when it comes to growth is just reaching the adult stage. The older a cat gets, the less likely it is that it will keep growing. Most breeds reach an “adult-size” somewhere between one and two years after they were born. While they usually stop growing during that time, kittens and cats rarely stop growing altogether.

So, how do you know when your cat is getting old? You can look at your adult cat and judge its size and look at its habits. If it is eating a lot, is sleeping a lot more than usual, and generally appears to be a bit slower than the rest of its peers, then you know that it is getting on in years. This is not a sign that anything is wrong with your cat; it simply means that it is getting older.

How much do cats weigh when they grow older?

How much do cats weigh as they grow older? When cats are young, they usually only need a litter of one to five pounds. But, most cats, depending on the breed, need at least ten pounds to be regarded as a mature cat. When they are around ten pounds, they are ready to fend for themselves.

Some domestic cats actually stop gaining weight when they are nearly a year old! When they enter adulthood, many breeds stop gaining weight because they enter into a different stage of their life. Many pet stores and breeders will tell you that younger cats can have a more active lifestyle than older, grown breeds.

How can my cat grow older?

So, what makes cats grow old? One answer is food. Food does play a big part in how old your cat gets. Some experts say that giving your cat the right food can actually help you predict how old your cat will become. Most cat food companies offer formulas that are based on a particular timetable. Some even use growth charts to give you an idea of where your cat may be at various points in his life based on how much food he has been eating.

Nutrition is Key to Your Cat Aging Well.

If your vet gives you a growth chart, or you see one in the pet food’s manual, try feeding your cat the appropriate formula. You may want to start your pet’s life in a small amount, then increase it as it grows. Even if it is not your intention to give a cat meat every day, it may still be best for him. Also, be sure to talk to your vet about what vitamins or nutrients your cat needs for optimal nutrition; some foods are better protein sources than others.

When you look at the various breeds of cats, you will see that many have different requirements for being fed and nurtured. When you are considering raising cats, you will want to provide them with everything they need, including plenty of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber. When you feed a cat food with all this in it, you will help them live a long, healthy, and happy life.

10 Things You Should NEVER Do To Your Cat… Are You Stressing Your Cat Out Without Knowing it?

Hopefully, no one deliberately makes life difficult for their cat. But not all that stresses out cats is directly apparent.

Certainly, for the caring cat guardian that wants their furry friend to live the very best life possible, it is a good idea to learn what NOT to do. So you can keep your cat free from accidental stress.

Several points in this article tend to be more logical compared to others, but here are ten things to not do to your cat.

These things make them to be unhappy, leads to unnecessary discomfort, and makes life more challenging for you.

 

Ten Things To Never Do to Your Cat

This list is not an extensive nor definitive list, and in case you have some tips for us, then please share them by making a comment.

 

1. Do Not Punish your Cat

Your cat jumps on the dining table, and you yell at him or her.

Oh no! What you did was show the cat to not jump on the countertop when you are there. She is still every bit as prone to pop up when you are at work.

Punishment is linked by cats to the person, instead of to the action, so there is a good possibility of damaging the bond between guardian and cat without actually solving the issue.

And even worse, yelling at the cat is an extraordinary source of anxiety.

And remember what good cats do when they are stressed? Pee in the wrong places! No great.

Rather, begin using additional ways to avoid these behaviors, and in case it is crucial to punish, like for the cat’s safety, use an Act of God.. like a stacked up tin cans which will tumble down once the cat jumps on the countertop.

 

2. Let Your Kitties Share Litter Trays

In case you’re running a multi-cat household, do not count on them to talk about litter boxes. Cats are extremely personal about their toileting. A few felines even demand a special tray for their solid and fluid excretions.

Sharing a litter box with another cat suggests compromising on territorial markers. For instance, scent, and also for although majority chilled cats what this means is pressure.

Additionally, keep the trays clean. No pet wants to use a dirty toilet, especially a sanitary animal like a cat. The effect might be a cat which poops outside of the box as a dirty protest.

If your routine makes it difficult to poop scoop and renew the litter a couple of times one day, then check out an automatic, self-cleaning litter tray.

 

3. Under-Stimulate Your Pet

Cats require lots of mental stimulation, and especially for an inside cat, it is up you to offer your pet some.

Just because cats love to sleep, does not mean they do not wish to be amused. Think about them like sprinters, who like short spurts of activity followed by recovery and rest.

Try getting in the practice of playing with your cat for a couple of minutes, two or maybe three times one day.

Offer locations just where they’ll perch, like a taller cat tower to find a window and observe the world go by. Leave the television running while you are away, tuned to a wildlife channel.

Offer them cat toys, particularly those with catnip, and spin them round, so there is something new and fascinating to get kitty’s interest.

 

4. Drive Your Cat Into a Corner

Many cases of aggression in the cat would be the outcome of the cat feeling nervous, stressed, and trapped.

Cats wish to stay away from conflict, but when backed into an area with zero escape routes, they’re likely to feel frightened, and they might lash out to defend themselves.

Understand this simple truth about cat psychology. Move out of a possible escape path for your cat. This way your kitty won’t feel so frightened.

 

5. Overfeed your Cat

Carrying a lot of weight shortens your cat’s life significantly. There is a powerful link between diabetes and obesity in cats. And more: complications such as joint disease, liver problems, and heart problems.

Do not overfeed your cat, and try using activities to keep your cat in shape. Puzzle feeders or treat dispenser that require some effort from your pet help to get them moving about. These toy treat dispenser also offer emotional stimulation.

 

6. Leave your Cat Unspayed or -Neutered

Even indoor cats must be desexed. You will find many advantages for this, not least of that’s in case they did escape (and cats searching for a mate can be quite resourceful) they might contribute to the cat population problem by reproducing. Additionally, those raging hormones help make the cat much more apt to enter into a battle, which may result in grabbing a major condition like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

The unpleasant smell of male cat urine, and also their increased chance of spraying to mark their territory, is included by some other factors to act. It preserves the women the strain of coming into heat every three days, and also the danger associated with a severe womb infection, known as a pyometra, is eliminated by it.

 

7. Declaw your Cat

Declawing involves amputating the upper part of every toe. Check out your fingers now. Imagine how troublesome and painful life would be if you had the end of every finger, from the top joint, amputated.

Please, do not declaw your cat.

In case your cat gives you clawing and scratching issues in your home, then tackle it by some other means.

This includes offering a lot of emotional stimulation and also providing the cat with a lot of opportunities to scratch.

To do this, determine in case you cat likes to scratch vertical or horizontal surfaces. Maybe you cat likes scratch posts with both the orientations.

Make certain the scratch objects are sturdy and tall. Make sure the cat can reach up far enough, and subsequently rake down. Provide a few of these scratch opportunities, and place them at key locations like exits and entrances, and alongside the cat’s napping spots.

 

8. Forget About Your Pet’s Dental Health

Exactly when is the last time you looked at your cat’s teeth? Dental diseases are frighteningly common, starting as early as from two, three years of age. By ignoring tooth health, you jeopardize the cat.

This might lead them to require surgery later in life, when their aging body is less able to manage the stress.

Rather, begin brushing your cat’s teeth. Or maybe consider alternatives, like food or water additives, dental hygiene diet programs, or even chew toys with a beneficial cleaning action.

 

9.  Forget To Insure Your Cat

Should your cat become ill, steer away from obtaining treatments for your cat according to what you can afford. Instead, focus on what is ideal for your beloved pet.

When that kitty of yours is insured, you’re free from the boundaries of what you have in your bank account. And you are also able to choose a therapy based on an expert’s recommendation.

Cancer is, unfortunately, a very common disease in cats and dogs. Cancer treatment is incredibly expensive. My friend has spent 15.000 USD on chemotherapy for her cat Hunter, and she wishes she got pet insurance retrospectively. Don’t let it happen to you.

 

10. Not Getting you Cat Microchipped

Great, your cat remains strictly indoors, so why does she require a chip?

To respond to this, imagine it is a cool, wet winter ‘s night. While you take the food in from the automobile, the cat slips from the home and into the darkness. Since she has never been outdoors before, she’s no concept of exactly where she is.

Any possibility of retracing the fragrance on her paws is flushed out by the rain. This cat will become lost.

Now think she has been picked up and delivered to a shelter. She doesn’t have a microchip. No-one knows if this cat has an owner, so how can they find you?.

Nevertheless, with a chip, it is a simple matter to scan your pet, search for the right person inside the register, and have the shelter provide you with a phone call.

 

Conclusion

And so there we have it, ten tips of things not to do to your cat. Both you and your cat now have a chance of living in perfect harmony for years to come.

 

Do you have any suggestions on what tips to include? Remember to leave a comment!

How To Stop A Cat From Spraying Urine & Marking

How To Stop A Cat From Spraying Urine and Marking His Territory In The House

Is your cat marking every corner of your house by spraying urine? The smell of stale cat pee is certainly not a pleasant one, and neither is the sight of seeing your cat spray urine on your new couch, curtains and/or walls.

Territorial cats usually spray urine. The markings don’t make their habitat directly safer, but the cat can gather information through spraying. This helps the cat’s territory be safer.

In this article you will discover why cats spray urine, and how to stop this natural, but unwanted, behavior.

P.S. If you tried everything and still no success, we recommend you read this book.

Cat Spraying No More

 

What is cat urine spraying? And why does it happen?

It is important to first understand what this behavior is, and why cats do it, before you learn how to stop it.

SignalsMarking territory with urine serves many purposes. It is a complex behavior, and out of scope of this article.

We will outline for you the minimum you should know about feline urine spraying behavior.

Urine markings are a form of communication. By spraying urine cats both send and gather information by smelling the markings of other cats around the area.

Are urine marks like borders? No. Cats, and especially the males, usually have a large territory. Territories can overlap. There are no actual borders that need to be protected. Through cat markings with urine cats can become aware of other cats without actually ever meeting each other face-to-face.

Insecure cats spray more. If a cat does not feel secure, she will spray more. The markings don’t make the area safer directly, but they help the cat gather information about other felines in and around their territory.

Why do cats spray over other cats’ markings? A marking helps a cat to know if other cats visit there. A cat actually expects other cats to spray over his spraying marks. A cat does not spray to show dominance or to claim a territory.

Why do cats keep spraying the same place? As long as the corner smells like urine, the cat wants to keep marking it to gather and send information to possible other cats.

Cats do not spray urine for revenge. Sometimes, scolding your cat can lead to spraying behavior. The cat thinks this may actually improve your relationship.

Other territorial markings of cats include clawing (in this article you can read more about cat clawing and how to stop it), and scenting objects with their cheeks and forehead.

 

 

  1. Neuter your cat to stop urine marking

Cats spray for a multitude of reasons. The two primary reasons are to secure their territory and to find sexual partners. Helping a cat feeling more secure around his territory is a complex process. But lowering your cats sexual appetite is however an easy surgical procedure, carried out daily by vets all around the globe.

When will a cat stop spraying after being neutered? That depends on many things, but here are some pointers:

  • The vast majority of cats will stop spraying immediately after neutering.
  • 1 to 4 weeks after neutering.
  • Only when additional measures are taken. (see below)

For the majority of people, neutering Mr. Mittens will be enough to stop him from spraying. If your cat keeps spraying after he has been neutered, keep on reading below.

 Cat Spraying No More

Note:

Your male cat will not stop spraying urine without neutering.  Urine marking is natural behavior. Testosterone is the main cause of this. Testosterone is produced in the testicles.

 

  1. Find other causes of your cat´s urine spraying behavior

Sometimes cats don´t stop spraying immediately after being neutered. It is possible you only need to wait a little while longer, about 1 to 4 weeks.  Or finding sexual partners was not the sole reason of your feline´s behavior We list a few common possible causes of urine marking by cats.

Multi-cat household

Cats not getting along with each other is a common problem. A cat can be bullied by another cat. An unsettled hierarchy in the household can be a cause. The cat´s territory, or access to food and water is being threatened.

Having more resources in the house usually helps. Add more litter boxes in multiple locations. More food and water bowls can work wonders too.

  1. Other (indoor) cats.Since urine marking is a form of communication between cats, most likely it is caused by other cats, even if you have a single indoor cat.Having enough napping locations is also important, as is vertical territory (Link to article) Make sure climbing spots have no dead-ends where cats can be trapped by other pets. A great help for multiple cat owners is the book cat vs vst (aff lons)

 

  1. Outdoor cats Common problems can be your cat going outside and spraying urine upon returning home. Your cat seeing other cats through a window, or smelling other cats´ urine marking through the wall. Sometimes this can be a cause of aggressiveness in cats.Keep other cats out of the yard. Clean the cat urine outside your house. Block the view that is causing the problems. Blinds or sticky films work well, or otherwise blockingthe window view. Spending more time interacting positively with your cat helps them to build confidence in their surroundings.

 

  1.  Tensions with an owner. A common cause of urine spraying. The cat experiences a feeling of insecurity about his environment.Do not yell or punish your cat for his behavioral problems, including urine marking. Give the cat as much freedom as possible. Increase the amount of time interacting and building trust with your cat through playing, petting, talking, brushing and other positive activities. Adding climbing opportunities can also help.

 

Changes are a common cause of stress in cats

Stress in cats is the most common reason of spraying urine in neutered cats. We listed a few common causes of stressful situations, and how to remedy them.

  • A new baby in the house, or a toddler starting to crawl or walk.
    It may be necessary to modify the environment. Create secure, elevated surfaces. Give your cat more attention, or make at least sure that it´s not getting less attention than before. Feeding your cat while the baby is nearby is a good way of getting accustomed for the cat. It´s important to teach toddlers how to interact in a positive way with cats, and how to pet cats the right way.
  • New person in the household, or new frequent visitors.
    The cat and the person are not getting along. The cat can be afraid of the person. People can be too loud, or maybe they don´t like cats. Some people are afraid of cats. Get the other person involved in feeding, playing and petting. Not everyone knows cat behavior basics. Sometimes explaining cat behavior basics and signs of aggression and dislike to the person is the solution.
  • Changes in the cat’s territory.
    Almost any change in the cat’s environment can cause stress. Some cats are more prone to stress than others. This can even be something as small as adding new furniture, or displacing coats and jackets. Moving houses often is a trigger of stress, especially if everything is new inside. To counter this, make changes slowly and gradually. Make sure you have enough playtime with your pet. Spraying furniture with pheromones can also do the trick, as does adding more climbing opportunities.
  • Changes in daily schedule.
    Often a change in the cat’s feeding schedule is the culprit. If you need to make changes to your cats’ routine, try do so gradually.
  • Other changes.
    New pets or scents in the house, a new food brand or new sounds can also attribute to significantly higher stress-levels. Try to get your cat slowly accustomed by making these changes gradually, if possible. If not, make sure you give your cat plenty of playing time and positive attention.

 These are just a few causes of stress in cats. Other stress they may experience can also be a cause for urine spraying. Due to stress, the cat feels less confident and secure in his territory. By urine marking, the cat is trying to secure his territory. Often there are multiple causes that make a cat build up stress.

Certain medical conditions can also be a cause for spraying behavior. Cats can have medical conditions that interfere with their hormonal balance. If the cat is in pain or experience’s discomfort, this can also lead to stress. Bring you pet to the vet as soon as you have the slightest hint of health problems, especially when you have done and tried everything to stop your cat from spraying urine, without success.

 

  1. Thoroughly clean urine from spraying locations.

Cats re-spray their old marks. This helps them keep their markings updated. Other cats spray over markings of other cats.  This helps the cats understand who is in their territory. If the cat smells that the spot has been previously marked, it will spray urine.

 

Cleaning cat urine with everyday cleaning supplies is not enough to completely get rid of the cat urine smell. Even if it smells clean to you, your cat will still be able to smell the mark. A cat’s nose is far more sensitive than yours. When the cat smells the mark, the urge arises to spray there again.

How to find cat urine?

You usually find cat urine either by seeing your cat spray somewhere, or by smelling it. So you know where to clean, right? Unfortunately this is not the case.

The scent of cat urine can linger for as long as a few months. You have to clean every single spot your cat has urine marked during this period. You can try and remember all spots that your cat uses to spray, or write them down. Even then it is still possible to miss spraying locations. Cats have a much more sensitive nose than you. It is easy to miss a spot.

A simple black-light LED flashlight is your solution. Certain substances light up under black light, including cat urine.

You can usually buy these flashlights in hardware stores, but it’s often cheaper, easier and quicker to do so online. If you shine your black light over area’s where cats have sprayed, a grayish/yellowish glow will appear. This is the area that you need to clean very thoroughly with a specialized cat urine remover.

flashlight-for-lighting-up-cat-pee-urine
As you can see, without a UV black-light it is very, very difficult to get rid of all the urine stains your cat (or dog) has made around the house. We recommended investing in a good quality UV light, like this one,  if you need to thoroughly clean pet urine.

 

How to clean cat urine?

Use a specialized cleaning detergent that is specifically made for removing cat urine. These cleaning supplies do not mask the smell, but bind to the molecules that cause it. This completely eliminates cat urine and consequently, the smell.

Specialized cleaning supplies can be bought at pet stores, some hardware stores and online here.

Most cleaning detergents for cat urine are quick and easy to use, with a simple “spray on and let dry” mechanism. Some require a bit more instruction, so always check the label before use.

 

  1. Make new associations with the spraying location

Giving a new purpose to the location that is being marked with urine is the next step in the process of stopping cats from spraying. In their natural habitat, cats do not spray certain locations.

E.g. Cats do not spray areas where they sleep or hunt.

There are several ways to make these changes in your household, we’ll list a few. If you already tried below options without (lasting) success, we advise you to read this book.

Tips:

  • Place a water bowl in the vicinity of the markings. Cats to dot spray urine where they drink.

 

  • Spray the location with cat pheromones. Pheromones are scents that cats leave behind by rubbing against objects. You can buy these pheromones in a spray solution. If the cat gets the scent that a location has been marked by rubbing, it will registered this location as “marked” and therefore not spray it.

 

  • Place a scratching post near the markings. Cats not only scratch to keep their claws in good shape. Scratching serves a few purposes. By scratching, cats leave behind scents from their paws. Scratching marks are also a visually indicator of the presences of felines. If the cat scratches near the place where urine spraying occurred, the cat will no longer need to urinate there. Territorial urges have already been met.

 

  • Play with your cat near the urine marking location. Playing and hunting are essentially equal to cats. Cats do not spray urine where they hunt, as this would alert their prey. We can simulate this behavior by playing with your cat with an interactive toy for 10 to 15 minutes around the spot. Have a few of these sessions daily. It takes about a week to see a noticeable improvement. Don’t forget to play regularly with you cat after that!

 

  • Feed your cat near the spraying location. This behavior is related to hunting. If you provide food at set times and places, make the spraying location a feeding place instead. If you free feed your cat , leave some food at the spot that used to be sprayed.

 

  • Place your cat’s bed near the spraying location. Sometimes placing a cardboard box for napping is enough. A cat’s sleeping spot must be a safe and secure place. A cat would not spray around there, because he does not want other cats to be alerted of his whereabouts.

 

Important: While you are helping your cat to stop spraying his old location, your cat start making new ones somewhere else. This is often caused by the cat not feeling secure in his habitat.

  1. Distract your cat before spraying occurs.

You are probably aware of the signs and body language a cat shows before he is about to leave his spray marks. Common indicators are:

  • Positioning of the hind legs against the soon-to-be-sprayed spot
  • Treading with his front paws
  • Raising of the tail

When you notice your cat is going to spray urine on your wall, you might want to stop that from happening. Distract the cat by refocusing his attention in a positive manner.

Several positive ways of grabbing your pet’s attention:

Call your cat
First, make sure your cat responds. Keep calling and pet him, of give him a treat if he responds well. You can also pet your cat, to associate not spraying with positive attention..

Bribe with treats
If you want to get a cats attention, a sure way is to rattle or open a pack of their favorite treats. Food is more interesting than spraying.

Throw in a hunting opportunity
Dingle a thread or throw a toy in your feline’s direction. If it contains catnip, that’s often even more effective. Keep playing for a couple of minutes with your pet afterwards.

Clicker training
Clicker training is a good way of training and correcting behavior. It’s easier because you don’t need to have a toys or treats near you at all times. In these cases, clicker training is a very handy tool. 

Note: It is important that you apply above tips and tricks only if you get your cat’s attention before the urine spraying. If you apply these tips after the spraying, you will only reinforce the spraying behavior by rewarding your cat with positive attention.

  1. Do not punish your cat after spraying urine.

It’s not fun when your cat marks your couch with urine. But punishing your cat will only make him spray more. Neutered cats most often spray because of stress. Punishing your cat either through physical punishment or by yelling will not stop you cat from spraying urine, but will only increase the behavior. Cats that are neutered commonly spray due to stress. Punishment increases stress greatly.

It is best to ignore your cat completely when he marks. Ignore the bad behavior, and reward the good.

Clean up after your cat with the methods described above. Don’t pay any attention to your cat while cleaning. Don’t call him, lecturing him, or give any attention in any way. Clean the area and next time prevent your cat from spraying, before it happens.

  1. Provide a safe, secure and calm living area for your cat.

The gist of this article is that cats most commonly spray urine because of stress, if hormonal factors are out of the question. It is the best interest in both of you to get rid or minimize stress..  If you manage to reduce stress, your cat will not spray urine any more.

If you still have problems with your cat’s spraying behavior, invest in this book. It has more detailed information on cat spraying and how to stop it.

Cat Spraying No More

Thanks for reading, and if you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please leave them in the comments below. J

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