Our cats are now spraying!

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by Va-Cat

Thought this was a typo until my brain kicked in Very cute and appropriate term. I'm gonna have to remember it for future use

LOL...It's called the lazy man typing plan!

[andthentherewere3]

All our cats are "speutered", but after the addition of a new cat a few years ago, three of them began spraying. It went on for months, and the vet found nothing wrong with them. Feliway (or whatever it's called, that plug-in that is supposed to "calm" cats) did nothing, deterrent sprays did nothing, nothing worked, and the smell was HORRENDOUS. One cat began peeing outside the litter boxes altogether. One room's carpeting had to be completely removed, some furniture was ruined, it was a nightmare. I had to completely separate one cat from all the others, she lived in our master bedroom quite happily for months, she loved having the room all to herself. No more spraying from her. The other two sprayers were relegated to being outdoors most of the time. It took over a year to get the problem under control. (and the female has the run of the house again) I've tried everything to get rid of the lingering smell, but when it's warm and humid I can still smell it. I really sympathize with anyone going through this. Our vet said it was very common, even among spayed and neutered cats. It's usually a territorial issue. We are a getting a puppy this summer, and I'm so afraid the spraying is going to start up again.

[PamelaD]

Most of the time, when you bring a new animal into the home and do very slow introductions to one another, it helps a lot with the territory issues. The slower the intros the better. Swapping towels and t shirts you have for each of them to sleep on, so they adjust to each other's scents. And when doing face to face intros, always make sure its associated with something positive. Like play with them with an interactive wand toy or even giving them treats.

In order to get all the urine out, you will need to get a black light, the urine will glow. Then you can use Nature's Miracle to saturate to remove the urine. Urine Off is another excellent one. You can mark the urine spots you see with the black light, with tape and then come back and clean. They must be cleaned thoroughly or the cats will continue to mark the area.

Also provide high up places for all of the cats. A lot of disputes between them can be handled just by one going higher than the other.

Feliway is a great product, but you have have to read the back to see how sq feet one bottle covers for it to have the maximum affect.

Make sure you have enough litter boxes for them to all have a separate box, especially when bringing a new one into the home. A lot of conflicts between cats start at the litter box.

[=^..^=]

Originally Posted by Marylandkitten

Male cats shouldn't be spraying once neutered! It also decreases the aggresivness, territorial distress, and sheds some light on a multitude of personality or behavioral problems.

BoiKat is still spraying and was neutered several weeks ago.

[Lola4]

Having a cat neutered or spayed is NOT a guarantee that they will no longer spray. They are still totally capable of doing so. It just usually helps to lower the odds.

[PantherPride]

Esspiceally if done BEFORE sexual maturity.

[Garden of Eden]

IF a male cat has been born in the wild, he has already been shown how to spray for territory reasons by the time he comes into contact with humans. No matter if the male cat in intact or neutered, and IF there is more then one male in the same home, the chances of this male cat spraying is very likely. I live with more then one wild/feral male cat and yes, they are all neutered, and yes, they do all spray for territory. It can literally drive you up a wall!

My suggestion. Make sure everything you deem valuable be in a place that it cannot be sprayed on. Invest in some really good floor and rug cleaners/shampooers. Hoover and LG are both excellent name brands, for I work with both and highly recommend both. Punishing is out of the question. It doesn't work. For spot cleaning, I use Simple Green, which works really well. I have also not been able to have my home the way I want which means, no curtains, not bedspreads, nothing of value left out, everything basically in a closet or on a shelf. Anytime you leave something out, or you get something new, the male cats will spray for territory.

It can be a real challenge to live like this. Oh, yes, I would also invest in air purifiers which can be run around the clock. And yes, the cleaning on a daily basis is a must.

If all this is too much for you, (for once cats begin spraying there is no stopping them), I would make arrangements for another home (s) for your animals. And please, not the shelter, but private adoptions.

I hope what I have said here has helped. There is no easy out. Unfortunately, sad but true. I wish you the best of luck, I really do. I have more then one gray hair over spraying, believe me. You do what you have to do and what is best for both you and your animals.