old male cat spraying furniture (smells, throw, main, blanket) - Cats - - City-Data Forum

NY Annie · 08-13-2010, 12:14 AM

We have 2 cats, an old rescue male approximately 16/17 in general good health (mostly my husband's cat). He lost one fang and has mild thyroid issues but is on meds for it. Vet says he's gonna live another few years. However, he's losing his hearing and eyesight. He still seems fine - runs outside, goes for walks with us, comes when he hears me whistle or the younger cat goes to get him - she knows his places.

The second cat is a female 7 yrs, we know the mother cat and she's more my cat. We got her at 2 months and she's now starting to take care of the old guy. At first it was like brother and sister fighting, but lately she seems to know he can't play or chase her so much. We think she senses his hearing and vision loss.

Here's the problem: My husband has spent 4 out of the last 5 weeks away on business trips. He was home last week, left Monday and returns tomorrow. It is now 1 am and I am still up - GRRR.

Both cats came in for curfew and night time snack, although she was a little late. No problem, it happens when she forgets to wind her minnie mouse watch. I gave the old guy his meds and both of them their snack - they ate it while I straightened up. Then we all went up to bed as usual (without hubby). I left the bedroom to take a shower and I returned in about 15 minutes to find the old guy spraying my husband's dresser and the bedroom STINKS. I yelled, he didn't stop; I tossed a kitty blanket at him and he ran. He should be hiding from me but he isn't. Anyway, so trudge down 2 flights of stairs to get the "cat-stink" spray and stuff. I then trudge UP 2 flights of stairs and proceed to spray and wipe down the dresser and surrounding floor. My bedroom STINKS. I cannot go in there. The little cat is still up there waiting for me to brush her before bed.

IT STINKS. The air stinks. My nose stinks. I took another shower. I still smell stink! I'm going up now to rewash the dresser with Nature's Miracle for the 2nd time and to follow it up with Lestoil - if the combination of those smells doesn't kill me, I might get some sleep!

ShelbyGirl1 · 08-13-2010, 06:34 AM

A male doesn't just start spraying for the first time in his lifetime. I guessing, with losing his other senses, he needs to spray to acclimate himself. He may becoming the kitty version of senile...and I might add, should not be allowed outdoors. You may find that he is unable to find his way home someday.
A vet visit would be in order in my opinion. I know it STINKS, but to be angry at him is the same as being angry at him for being his senior self.

Garden of Eden · 08-13-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

A male doesn't just start spraying for the first time in his lifetime. I guessing, with losing his other senses, he needs to spray to acclimate himself. He may becoming the kitty version of senile...and I might add, should not be allowed outdoors. You may find that he is unable to find his way home someday.
A vet visit would be in order in my opinion. I know it STINKS, but to be angry at him is the same as being angry at him for being his senior self.

I totally agree with Shelby. We ALL get old. Please keep this in mind, and look at your cat with different eyes. There are ways to help him to stop spraying, or if that doesn't work, just bear in mind he is only doing what he knows to do. Be patient and be kind. And please, keep him indoors now. Senility in cats is very real, and why take the chance of him not being able to find his way home? That chance is not worth it, in my book.

=^..^= · 08-13-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Annie

I left the bedroom to take a shower and I returned in about 15 minutes to find the old guy spraying my husband's dresser and the bedroom STINKS. (Brevity snipped)

I hope you have a litter pan on that upper floor. Such an old cat may find it difficult to make 2 flights of stairs with a full bladder. Adding a litter pan on the top floor of her home stopped my DIL's aging cat from using a bed or throw-rug upstairs.

ShelbyGirl1 · 08-13-2010, 09:30 AM

The litter pan is a good idea, but again, please note....spraying and urinating inappropriately are two different things.

NY Annie · 08-13-2010, 09:54 AM

Thank you all. As I said, I was angry at him but I do not take out my anger on creatures of any kind. At the same time, I do understand. He has always sprayed, just never indoors. This is the first time. I know it's because he's way more my husband's cat than mine and he misses him terribly. I just didn't think of the other reasons.

Yes, he has lost a lot of his sense of smell. And his vision is deteriorating. I just don't see how I'll keep him indoors. He was a rescue and had been outdoors. Where we live is within a city but we have a country setting, 250 acres of woods and mowed areas. The neighbors all know both my kitties - they love having them around since they keep down the mice and snake population and they are not a bother. One neighbor even keeps treats just for him. If I have to keep him indoors, it will end it for him.

Thanks for the idea of a litter box upstairs. We have one on the main floor and the basement but never thought of upstairs. I'll get another one today.

Garden of Eden · 08-13-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Annie

If I have to keep him indoors, it will end it for him.

I understand totally where you are coming from. Totally. Just take it one day at a time, and really begin to communicate with your cat. There are so many ways to do this and if you have had your cat for many years as you have, you should know how to understand him.

Breaking a cat's spirit is a crime. (my thought) I'm sure you will come up with an idea that will help your aging cat be happiest. He may surprise you by making the decision himself to come in the house on full-time basis when he begins to experience trouble getting around outdoors.

Best of luck, and I really mean that!

NY Annie · 08-13-2010, 07:45 PM

He is already spending lots more time indoors - and he is staying close to home for the most part. No more rampaging "up the hill" in the woods. Just with his hearing loss, he doesn't hear me whistle for him. Luckily missy cat has been going to "get" him for us.

Hubby is home today and the old boy has been driving him crazy - every 2 minutes coming by for petting and to give him a piece of his catmind - he's become very vocal in his old age. We have a short 2 night vacation for us together planned in 2 weeks, I just hope the old guy doesn't decide to spray the house. We are going to get Feliway and see if that will help and we are going to shut the bedroom doors for the first time ever. I just can't have him spraying in those areas with the harder to clean furniture. The sofas and chairs down here were going to be left anyway when we move next year so no loss.

Getting the spray cleaned up so quickly last night helped - there is no trace of "stink" today.

Garden of Eden · 08-14-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Annie

Getting the spray cleaned up so quickly last night helped - there is no trace of "stink" today.

Good for you! Keep up with the attitude you have right now, and you and your cat will be fine!

sjde · 09-15-2010, 01:37 PM

I've had 6 cats, 3 males and 3 females, all fixed. The only one who sprayed was a female and it was right from the start. I lived with it and tried finding solutions for 7 years before finally euthanasia. I even paid an animal psychologist in the mid 80's to try and figure it out. The cat was sort of neurotic--afraid of everyone but my husband and I. I didn't want to give her away without being honest about the problem, didn't want her to be abused from it or be given away from one home to another to another. How I wish Prozac and Paxil and the like had been around then. I understand that's what can be helpful now when it is a behavioral problem. Good luck.

Sue