Why does my cat do this?

Question

My 3yr old neutered Tom still tries to spray despite being 'done' 2yrs ago. His brother doesn't do this neither has any other cat I've had previously......any ideas why? Thanks xx

Nothing actually comes out, he just goes through the motions..lol. Thx for your answers x

Answer 1

Do you mean that he backs up into something and sort of shakes his tail?
Our male cat does that all the time...I think he THINKS he's marking but he's also neutered and nothing comes out.

All our cats are going in for their check-ups next week and I'm going to ask my Vet the very same question...I'm not really worried since he doesn't actually spray..it just seems kind of odd to me.

Answer 2

My tom was a stray, I got him when he was about 18 months old and had him neutered immediately. Unfortunately he never stopped spraying, and he was actually spraying, not just going through the motions. I used Feliway which slowed him down a bit but he never really stopped. I think, having been a stray for the early part of his life, he was very territorial and never really broke the habit of spraying. It was always by doors or windows or near something reflective so it was as if he was protecting his home from outsiders.
As someone else advised, I'd suggest you give feliway a go. It's about the only product around for these sort of problems but it does work.
Another thing to bear in mind is that cleaning products that smell all flora and clean to us often smell like other cats pee to cats so it'll just make them spray more. I think you're supposed to use a vinegar and water solution to clear up after them (or washing powder and water!).
Good Luck anyway.

Answer 3

Have you checked him for a urinary tract infection? Are you sure he is spraying or did he suddenly start to try to pee in strange places? The latter is a sign of discomfort when urinationg. If he is indeed spraying, maybe he was neutered too late and he had already gotten the habit, so now he does it because there are other cats around and he wants to show who's boss.

Answer 4

Yeah, i also got my Tom cat done, about 2 years ago. He was spraying and i couldnt bare it. Nowadays i sometimes see him trying to spray. And its always when he's trying to show dominance or annoyed after bumping into a bully cat outside. Like you say with your cat, nothing actually comes out but i think they still get the urge to show or mark their territory. Maybe your cat also tries to do it if he's a little stressed or has got himself a ladycat friend : )

Answer 5

i had an old cat that did the same thing. i think it may be because they get neutered late, after they already have started to spray, so they have gotten the instinct to do it. (just a guess though)

at least he can't actually spray!

Answer 6

is he really still spraying or is he just going through the motions? if he is still spraying try a product that is called felliway, it plugs in an outlet and releases pheromones that may help with the problem.

Answer 7

Basically your Tom was soooo used to spraying that it has become a habit for him.
2 years is a long time to break a habit, but he'll get out of it soon enough.

Answer 8

He's marking with a small amount of scent hormone. It's quite natural to mark his territory, neutered or not, and it makes him feel comfortable. You can usually tell when they do this as their tail 'shivers', and it is harmless.

Answer 9

Some cats still spray even if they are 'done'. It's a habbit I guess. I dont know why but they still do it. Try to attrect him to his litterbox by putting toys and mixing cat nip eith tthe litter meterial.
~I hope this helps!!

Answer 10

mine does too. he's trying to mark his terrotory but to know avail. pamper him a bit and make him feel special.