How can I stop my male cats from spraying indoors?

Question

I have quite a few cats, male and female, all of which have been spayed and neutered. The problem is that a couple of male cats still spray! Unfortuantely indoors as well. Not in the same place, one of them sprays anywhere. No matter how much I clean, spray the area with vinegar mixed with warm water (which is supposed to get rid of the smell), he still comes back and does it elsewhere. I am loosing my patience with him.

Does anyone know how this can be stopped? I have a couple of other male cats that don't spray. I don't understand why some do and some don't!

I have to stop it as it is becoming a major problem. Anyone with any ideas?

Answer 1

Sounds like you're unlucky because less than 10% of neutered cats spray. They only usually do this if they've been neutered after the habit has started.

A potential cause for your neutered cats still spraying is the number of them. Cats are very territorial and if there are a few, they can feel threatened and therefore inclined to mark their territory.

To combat this behaviour you could try using noise and surprise combined with positive reinforcement when the cats are well behaved. Make sure you don't show any favourites either as this will encourage the territorial fight to own you and your home (which is why they do it in the first place). Additionally have one scent that you mark each area they have sprayed in once you've cleaned it - maybe your perfume or deoderant. That way you'll be putting out the message that you own the territotry and not them.

Each time the cat sprays make a loud noise by clapping your hands and shouting no loudly. It'll surprise the cat and they'll soon associate this unpleasant although not damaging experience with their inappropriate behaviour. It's important to be consistent and do it every time they spray and extra important that you respond immediately. If you scald a cat after the event they'll wonder what you're going on about and feel even more insecure.

Here's some more information for you. In the meantime I wouldn't get any more cats - the number in itself could be part of the problem as it can make them insecure and even more territorial.

http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/behavior.shtml

Good luck.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

We had this problem with a male (neutered) cat and I have to confess we never did manage to stop him doing it. Don't clean the area with vinegar, though. My vet advised me to clean first with, I think it was bicarb of soda, then with surgical spirit to break down (biologically) the urine, rather than to try and neutralise the smell. You can also get a fantastic spray from the vets called odour eliminator which is really good.

The vet told me that spraying was due to stress and we could never work out what was causing the stress, I mean this cat was treated like a king!

I would take a water spray and spray him whenever he does it and then make a huge fuss of him when he is being a good boy and give him lots of attention for nice things.

Answer 4

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 5

I hope you find this useful. I found it on the Petsathome.co.uk website, after we had the same issue. Our cat seems fine now.

Marking

Cats communicate through smell. A cat’s most common response to stress or anxiety is to use the smell of urine or faeces for reassurance. Clearly, this is highly unpleasant for us, especially as cats will of ten choose a place to urinate or defecate that has a high concentration of their owner’s smell attached to it, such as the duvet, bed sheets or shoes.

By far the most important factor in eliminating this problem is to discover the cause of your cat’s stress and to reduce it, so that your cat feels more secure. This means that punishment of any kind will be counter-productive.

Fear of invasion of its own territory by another cat is the number one cause of cat stress! If your cat is spraying urine in the home the first aid treatment below may help change the behaviour.
Suggestions:

* If you have a cat flap consider changing it to a magnetic version so that only your cat can use it. This will stop unwanted visitors and help your cat feel secure at home.
* Cats wont go to the toilet where they eat, so once you have cleaned the area thoroughly, feed your cat on that spot for a few days. Be sure to give them lots of love and reassurance at the same time. Never punish a kitten for soiling in the home – it will only increase anxiety and make matters worse.

Answer 6

I work with animals, and this is what I always suggest. First use "Nature's Miracle" spray on the affected area for odor and stains. It counteracts the enzymes in the cat's urine to neutralize odor. Then use "Comfort Zone" plug-ins around your house. The problem is that you have too many cats. But "Comfort Zone" works like a plug-in air freshener that humans cannot smell. It lets off feline pherimones to calm cats and prevent the anxiety that causes them to mark.

Answer 7

Id agree .Its the amount of cats you have, Some are more than happy to live as a collony .and others like ourselves prefare to be loners. He must feel threatened and intimidated ,Is he the last lad you took on. If so hes possibly last in the pecking order,or then again he could be one of the top boys ,who feels hes getting crowded out,.Iv used Olbus oil before now to stop cats using the furniture ,maybe a squirt were he goes might help.

Answer 8

Spray lynx or anyother type of deoderant in the same places the cats mark, eventually they get the hint it's your terretory.

Answer 9

i had this problem with my cats. i got fresh lemons and rubbed it all over the skirting boards and around the edges of the floor and anywhere else they used to spray. it worked atreat for me. you can but try

Answer 10

place fresh lemon or orange in the area they have been spraying - as the citrus smell deters them