Can female cats spray?

Question

I was told only male cats spray and mark there grounds i thought this is why we have spaying and neutering.?

Answer 1

Hi there...female cats are capable of spraying, contrary to what many people have thought and as any vet can easily confirm this fact as well. Various reasons can contribute to the behaviour....feeling of territory being invaded, upset with changes in the home, male cats nearby, bladder infection, etc. If they are not spayed then they will spray to attract male cats more likely than cats who are not spayed unless they have a bladder infection.

Here are some articles on female cat spraying:
http://home.ivillage.com/pets/cats/0,,2j1z,00.html
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/urinemark.html
http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=391

Answer 2

Do Female Cats Spray

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

I have heard female cats spray during breeding season the behavior is used to attract a mate, Anxiety also contributes to increased spraying activity. Moving to a new home or adding a new cat to the family may trigger the behavior, even in an adult cat that has never previously sprayed. Keeping six or seven cats in the same household almost insures that at least one cat will start spraying. Some cats spray during an adjustment period in a new home and then eventually stop. Some cats begin spraying while under some sort of stress and then never stop. Treatment of the problem starts with correct diagnosis. Spraying behavior can sometimes be confused with improper litter box habits. Some cats, both spayed females and neutered males, spray from a squatting position, rather than standing. You may assume that the animal is refusing to use the box when actually the problem is scent marking. Urinary problems can also intensify spraying behavior. A urinalysis can determine if the spraying is connected with an infection. Treating the medical condition may also decrease the spraying. * A good first step is spaying or neutering the cat. Though not all cats are effected by surgical sterilization as many as 90 % reduce the behavior or stop entirely. The age at which the cat is altered does not effect the likelihood that the animal will spray, or the success of the surgery. * Another treatment for spraying is the use of hormonal therapy. This treatment is usually most effective when the causes of the spraying are temporary, like a new house or new cat in the neigh-borhood. The combination of injections and pills can arrest the behavior for as much as a month, while the behavior lessens in strength. Hormonal therapy works best on male cats in a single cat household. Punishing the cat for spraying is an ineffective solution to the problem. Usually the cat simply picks another spot to spray -- when you aren't around. Spraying is very resistant to strictly behavioral solutions. Confining the cat to the house during breeding season, or limiting access to other cats may decrease the behavior. Proper socialization with a new cat in the family can reduce the stress and anxiety that contribute to spraying behavior. Scent marking of this type is often difficult to control. It should be remembered that the behavior is not one of conscious choice. Your cat is not spraying out of spite. It is simply a physical reaction to the environment. If you successfully change the environment you may be able to stop the behavior.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can female cats spray?
I was told only male cats spray and mark there grounds i thought this is why we have spaying and neutering.?

Answer 6

My spayed female cat has been spraying. She lives outside with 12 other cats. Is this territorial?

Answer 7

Yes female cats spray, so can neutered males if they have got into the habit.
My desexed female cat pretends to spray, but she doesnt actually spray anything

Answer 8

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aneiX

As a rule, a female cat is not likely to do this, and especially a spayed cat. I have never seen anything like this ever. It is very interesting. Sorry i can't help further.

Answer 9

I had a female cat that stuck her booty up to me and sprayed away, so yes they can spray, the smell is not offensive as male cat spray

Answer 10

All my cats were neutered as early as possible and they all spray. The boys do it outside while my girl does it both inside and outside. She does it inside when she s anxious and I also think she s letting the boys know who s boss. Sometimes she gets in the litter tray, digs a hole and then stands up and piddles down the wall. I ve put that one down to absent mindedness