why do nuetered cats still spray?

Question

a male nuetered cat sprays the furniture,the curtains,and our bed.

Answer 1

First, the standard disclaimer: Be sure that your cat is actually "spraying"... depositing a small blast of urine on a USUALLY vertical surface, accompanied by a treading or stamping of the feet and a quivering tail. If the cat is squatting, he may be urinating instead. Check with your vet to be sure the cat doesn't have a urinary infection. If that checks out okay, then read on...

Neutered cats, and even some females will spray to mark their territory. It's a very powerful signal to other cats to "Stay away!!" and of marking bounds. It's not always a sexual marker. In some cases, it can even be a sign of domination-- displaying superiority by declaring HIS territory. And, it's a warning-- "Cross the line and it's game ON!!"

Early neutering or spaying reduces the hormones that drive sex-linked behaviors. That's "sex" as in "gender". It doesn't entirely stop hormone production. Most of the testosterone and estrogen that males and females produce are produced by the gonads-- the sex organs, such as the testes in males and the uterus and ovaries in females.

Sometimes, we hear the question, "Doc, are you SURE you neutered Ol' Roy last week? He's still as orn'ry as he ever was!"When an animal is spayed or neutered, these organs and their associated hormone production are removed. However, there may still be levels of circulating hormone in the bloodstream if the animal was neutered near or after "puberty". It takes several weeks for these hormones to be depleted, and their influence can be rather strong during this time. Also, lower levels of these sex hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, even during fetal development. From conception, every cell in the cat's brain and body is bathed with pituitary testosterone and estrogen. These primordial hormones tell the body to develop certain basic male or female characteristics, things that are "normal" male or female features (body size, head shape, etc.). In other words thanks to pituitary hormones, "boys will be boys and girls will be girls", even after spaying or neutering. It's in their brains and bodies. If a certain behavior has been previously learned, prior to spaying or neutering, it will be more likely to persist after the surgery.

Assuming no bladder infection or other urinary or renal issue, it sounds like you have a strong male with a high territory drive. If he always tags the same spots, try putting a small bowl of water or food down in those spots. As a rule, cats normally don't spray in the areas where they eat or drink. Try providing him with a "territory" of his own.

My territorial neutered male (younger than 5 months when clipped) doesn't spray, but he does like his territory. He also guards certain toys, and he tries to "tomcat" the younger female kitten. So what is going on? First, he IS a boy with pituitary testosterone going on in his system. Second, that "tomcat" move is NOT always sexual. He's probably trying to dominate the little female, and yes-- if he gets a little action, hey, all the better (in his hormone driven brain).

In a nutshell, "It's a guy thing..."

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I had the sweetest male cat who I had neutered at about 3 months old. For five years he sprayed everything he could and I had him on all kinds of drugs, Feliway spray, keeping him outside during the day. The vet and I worked forever to try to break this. Some males especially are very very territorial and can't be stopped. I held him while they euthanized him and cried myself sick for weeks. Manny just couldn't stop his behavior and he was ruining my house and carpet...

Answer 4

a male cat will still spray after being nuetered that does not make them stop. marking a spot is away of letting other animals know that he has been there and that it is his area even if you don't have other animals.

Answer 5

how old is the cat?

maybe u got him nuetered at a later age.
if he spraying now he won`t stop, trust me i have tryied every thing with my cat and nothing worked.
i had a cat like that man did he stick, he would spary everything and they when i tryied to put him outside he would cry to come back in.

this cat didn`t last long he cryied to go out side and then cry to come in, but one day he just never came home i don`t know what happen to him, we did have a problem with fishers.

good luck.

Answer 6

I got my male kitty neutered when he was really young'so he goes through the motions of spraying-but nothing ever happens. It's nothing but a territory thing for a male-but if they already know how to spray the having him neutered won't stop that and ick they have such a nasty scent!

Answer 7

there may be several reasons why your cat sprays. did he get neutered later in life?, is there a new cat in your area? is there a new cat in your home? is your cat feeling well? have you cleaned all of the areas that he has sprayed with Natures Miracle? if not, I would. if he checks out fine with his vet (which i would strongly recommend that he get seen), it may be behavioral and your vet may be able to recommend something to help the situation. Good Luck and I would recommend a check up for your kitty as soon as possible.

Answer 8

2

Answer 9

have you taken him to a vet, could be kidney problems. has anything changed in house, new baby, pet etc. Sometimes new rugs have a odor they don't like. Is there a unspayed cat in the area, neutering just stops reproduction.

Answer 10

You probably didn't get him fixed soon enough. You have to do it before they start spraying. Sort of like a male dog, once he starts lovin someones leg, even after you get it fixed, he'll still want to mate.