There is a male cat in my neighborhood that has been left off. I'd like to adopt him but he sprays like crazy! Would getting him neutered be a remedy?
2006-10-04 07:55:13 · 14 answers · asked by can'tgo55 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Neutering will help, but may not immediately stop him from spraying completely. There's more to it than that, but this is an issue that can be resolved.
Unaltered toms spray to mark their territory, attract mates and warn off rivals. The mating part is very hormone driven and will stop when the testosterone gets out of his system after neutering. (It won't happen overnight, it may take days or weeks.)
However, hormone driven mating behavior is only one reason for spraying, though it's probably the biggest reason. Neutered cats still want to mark their territory and they do that by spraying.
You should find that after being neutered kitty will be much less compulsive about spraying and he'll do a lot less of it.
What may stop him from spraying completely is security. When he feels comfortable and secure in your home he may stop spraying completely. At least you should be able to get him to not spray inside your home. If he still goes outdoors he will probably continue to spray outside, since there will probably be other cats around and leaving his marks is a major way for him to communicate with them. But not spraying inside is what matters, and that should be an attainable goal.
It may take some patience, especially if he's been stray or feral for a long time. When you bring him in he'll probably want to mark your home to make it his own. If he does, be patient, let him know you don't approve (hissing at him will get the message across) and work on making him feel so loved and so secure that he doesn't need to scent mark in order to feel at home. Also, if he sprays inside at first (he may not, if you're lucky) clean up quickly and use an enzyme based cleaner and one without any amonia. An enzyme cleaner will eliminate any residual scent (which smells like amonia) that would give him the impression that this is a good spot to spray.
If it becomes an issue there are other solutions.
You wrote that kitty was left off in your neighborhood. I'll bet that being dumped in a new and strange location has a LOT to do with his constant spraying. He's trying to establish himself in his new surroundings. Taking him in and giving him a loving, secure home will go a long way towards reducing his need to mark.
Bless you for thinking of taking in this poor abandoned soul. I hope you do, and I hope he brings you many years of love and companionship.
2006-10-04 08:39:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mick 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-12-25 16:27:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having friends who have male cats...it depends on what age the male is when its neutered. If its over a certain age, getting it done will not stop the spraying. Have 4 friends that have one cat only and all male....it didnt help 3 out of the 4. They were over a year old when done. The 4 was still around 6months when done, and had never sprayed...this one has never sprayed before or after. And the odor does not go away if they are neutered and spray...it's still there, tho not as strong...but still there, and not a good choice.
2006-10-04 09:04:32 · answer #3 · answered by foxxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting a cat neutered is suppose to be a remedy. However if it isn't done right he will keep spraying. My son has a cat that was neutered and it still sprays. But that is due to the way he was neutered. The Vet only done a parcel which to me made no sense. But my son was assured it would work. If you have a good Vet you trust try and see. If not find the cat a good home anyway. He doesn't need to be left uncared for. That isn't far to the cat.
2006-10-04 08:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by sersa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spraying will continue as long as the male lives, if it is an outdoor cat. Indoor cats seem to stop the spraying once neutered. However if there are more than one males in the house they may still spray to stake territory. After the neutering the urine does not have the same strong smell but if left to dry it still stinks.
2006-10-04 08:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will help, but since he is used to spraying he may continue. He still needs to be neutered. My male cats were always neutered as early as 6 months, and I never had a problem. Talk with your vet about this, he may have some solutions. Good luck.
2006-10-04 08:02:46 · answer #6 · answered by Rea 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. 95% of male cats will stop spraying when they are neutered if they are neutered before they are 1 year old. Neutering after that point is 50/50. Outdoor pets tend to spray more than indoor pets as well.
2006-10-04 07:59:34 · answer #7 · answered by jaelithe13 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not neccessarily. Once a cat starts spraying, even after they have been neutered, they may still maintain the habit, at least for a little while. However, the spraying will not have an odor.
2006-10-04 08:07:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may stop spraying once he is neutered but you will have to check with a vet to be sure and if you know how long its been since he was left it would be helpful for the vet. Make sure it gets shots and a flea dip before coming into the house
2006-10-04 07:59:06 · answer #9 · answered by Eyes of Green 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
after he is neutered, he should stop spraying. The smell is very difficult to get out. Sometimes your local feed store will carry something for that if it is on your floor or walls. If its on your rug, rip it it, spray the floor with the stuff from the feed store, and replace your rug....other than that, i don't know any other more natural ways to rid the smell. Good luck!
2016-03-27 04:51:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋