How can you assure your cat won't spray?

Question

I am thinking about getting a kitten. But I can't stand the spray. People say there are ways to keep your cat from spraying, but I have heard cases that those things didn't work either.

My sister and my mother in law both had their cats fixed, and they still spray today. That is how I know I don't want a cat if it sprays.

My coworker got 2 kittens a brother and sister. They both sprayed when they got mad at her. So I know male and female cats can spray.

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, there are some female cats who spray. Males are the ones who do it most often, but there are females who do it. There is no guarantee that you can keep this from happening. However, get them fixed before they start and you cut the chances of them doing it in half. I've been lucky so far and haven't had one to spray after they were fixed. But like I said, according to my vet, there is no guarantee.

Answer 2

Neutering as soon as he is old enough. Male cats are the only ones who spray and it's a territorial thing. If you have him neutered by time he's old enough to be and before he starts, he won't spray. Sometimes it won't work if he's developed the habit but most times it will. Neutering is the only way to assure no spraying plus it helps keep unwanted kittens from no homes.

It's VERY rare that a female cat will spray according to info I just found and you can read that here:

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/14299

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAB/catspraying.html

I have raised so many cats in my life I couldn't even begin to tell you a number and no I don't breed. I would take in strays and injured cats beofre having kids and take in cats that people I knew didn't want anymore. My Mom did it when I was a child so I've been around cats my entire life. yes there is no guarantee that desexing will stop it but I have yet, in 30 years, to have a single cat (male or female) spray after having it done. I even had 2 male cats that sprayed before having them fixed so this is from personal experience! Desexing is the best choice or just don't get the cat.

Answer 3

Get the kitten fixed! If you fix a cat before it starts spraying, it will most likely never start. If you let it start spraying first (by waiting too long to get it fixed), sometimes they'll stop, other times they wont. Most vets will now fix a cat at 4months... most rescues do it between 9 and 12 weeks. The earlier the better. If you get your kitten from a rescue, chances are it will already be done.

Answer 4

It's best to have them neutered as soon as they are mature enough so they don't learn the behavior.

Indoor cats are somewhat less like to mark their territory.

Never leave soiled or dirty clothes where the cat can reach them especially the men of the household. Cats smell the pheremones on them and feel obliged to add their own to say "hi". Males and females will both do this.

If a cat should ever spray, blot it first otherwise you just spread the urine in a larger area. Use an enzyme cleaner specifically for pet urine and follow the directions exactly.

Make sure their litter box is cleaned daily, stays in the same spot, and is easy for them to get into and out of with a little privacy please.

Answer 5

I have a male cat that i got fixed up at 4 months i have had no problem with spraying.

Answer 6

I had the same worry before we got my male cat (he was 10 weeks old when we adopted him). He was neutered before we could take him home, so be sure to have the shelter do that for you. If you're not getting him from a shelter, get him neutered as soon as possible. It's a pretty simple procedure that usually only requires your cat to get dropped off at the vet's in the morning and get picked up in the evening.

From my experience, my male cat has NEVER sprayed. Not even once. That is most likely because he never had the chance to. Animals often urinate in the same place over and over again because they smell their phermones, which is why that even when you clean it up, they will still urinate in that area.

A word to the wise (from someone who's been there), get your kitty neutered before bringing him home and you won't have a problem :)

Good luck!

Answer 7

Adopt a cat that is older fixed and you can guarantee that they will not spray. By adopting you not only save a life but you are given the chance to know their personalities and habbits up front instead of having to wait for a kitten to grow up and change on you. You are also given a full medical history including a negitive result of feline leukemia and clymida.

Adopting may be more paperwork or money (to pay off a fraction of the vet bills and fostering) but it is a very rewarding way of getting the right cat for you.

Answer 8

There is no sure fire way to keep them from spraying. However, I have never had a problem with cats spraying if you get the fixed as soon as you can. Usually vets recommend 5 or 6 months old.

Answer 9

Have it fixed early, around 12 weeks to help prevent it but it won't guarantee it will never spray. Mine will still spray if a tomcat comes in our yard & sprays (my indoor cat will spray the curtains by the door).
The only 100% way to make sure is to get a girl cat.

Answer 10

First get them fixed before they approach maturity. Also, maintain a couple of perfectly clean litter boxes. Give your cat plenty of water to keep the urine thin. Play with your cat so it can work off that excess energy. Give it a treat for urinating in the box.

Anything else would be medically-related, a rival cat, changing the litter box in any way, or moving to a new home.