how can i get my male cat to stop spraying?

Question

he is really starting to make my house stink. he does it in his litter box but it just stinks! i don't want to get rid of my cat just b/c he's spraying, it's not falt he can't stop.
p.s. i love him 2.

Answer 1

Clean the litterbox more often, scoop the pee and poo and throw it out and change it completely and wash the tray if it still smells. You could get a hooded tray if you don't have one, or one that is self cleaning and connects to the drain. If he's not neutered, then get him done, this reduces their smell.

Feed a premium food, this reduces the amount of waste they produce and reduces litterbox smells.

Perhaps a change of litter might help to an organic matter made with wheat, corn or recycled paper would help too. Most have natural odour reducing properties.

Once he's neutered, it will take time for the hormone levels to drop so you won't see an improvement immediately. Get it done before he starts peeing everywhere else.

Answer 2

Is he fixed? Identify the reasons why your cat may be spraying. For instance, if your cat is reacting to the sight of cats outside, block your cat’s view. If your cat is reacting to the scent of cats outside, possibly through a screen door or from odors on your shoes, prevent your cat from coming into contact with these scents. Keep the door closed and remove shoes outside, before entering the home.

- Discourage cats from hanging around outside your house. Motion-activated devices, such as the Critter Gitter™, the Scarecrow™, or the Scraminal™, all function to frighten outdoor cats away. The Scat Mat™ and the Sofa Saver™ can be used to keep outdoor cats away from doors and windows.

- If your cat is spraying in one or a few locations, you can make these areas less appealing, using some type of booby trap, such as Ssscat™. Ssscat™ is a motion-activated device that sprays the cat with a harmless but unpleasant aerosol. Alternatively, you can put out an “unwelcome mat” for the cat by placing foil, plastic wrap, or upside-down vinyl carpet runner where your cat sprays. Be aware that cats often just choose a new spot to spray.

- You can also try eliciting a different behavior in the sprayed locations. Place items that stimulate behaviors incompatible with spraying, such as the food dish or toys, in the spots.

- You can try placing a litter box in each location. If the cat is spraying on the wall beside the litter box, try attaching a liner on the wall and drape it down into the box. Should the cat spray there, the urine at least will drip down into the box.

- Spray Feliway™ in the areas where your cat is spraying. Feliway™ is a synthetic pheromone designed to elicit calm, friendly behavior in cats. Research supports the claim that Feliway™ reduces indoor urine spraying.

- If the spraying is due to conflict among resident cats, you should seek counsel on resolving the conflict. You may need to separate the cats or at least isolate the spraying cat until you are able to restore harmony. If this is not possible, re-homing to reduce your numbers may be the only viable solution. A spraying cat might not spray at all in a new home with fewer cats.

- Drug therapy can help resolve a spraying problem. There are numerous medications that have been demonstrated to be effective in individual cases—e.g., the Benzodiazepines (i.e. Valium), other anti-anxiety drugs (i.e. Clomipramine or BuSpar), or progestins.

- Make sure you clean sprayed areas with an enzymatic cleanser designed to eliminate odors.

Answer 3

I worked for a vet for 10 years. Neutering does not guarantee that he will not spray. You should get your cat neutered so that he doesn't produce more kittens. Clean the litter often. Trader Joes has a pellet ceder litter that has no dust and is good for the environment. You can also spray your cat with a water bottle every time he does it. The water doesn't hurt them! I dealt with my cat that sprayed even after he was neutered.

Answer 4

have you had him neutered? Have you had the vet check him for blockage? those are two reasons a male sprays, I would check those items off the list first thing. I have had male cats (indoors) all my life and never had a male cat spray unless he has a urinary tract problem or he is ill.

Answer 5

Get your cat fixed. This is the only way to stop the spraying unfortunately.

Answer 6

Good for you for not immediatly jumping to get rid of him and for recognizing that this is natural for him to do. He really should be neutered, though. He is marking his territory to attract possible mates and to ward off other males from invading his space. The only thing that will stop it is neutering.

Answer 7

Tom cats spray--- the only way to stop him is to neuter him.I've had cats all my life and thats the only way to stop it.

Answer 8

He sprays because he's not fixed. And the strong oder is because he's not fixed. Cat urine is 100 times more stinky in unneutered cats.. get him fixed

Answer 9

has your cat been fixed we had a male cat and he wasn't fixed. we had to give him away because he keep doing it and how old is your cat if its a kitten do it right away if you wait it will still do it and it will still stink

Answer 10

I heard the only way to get them to stop spraying is to get them neutered because he's marking his terriotory, So If he isn't neutered get him neutered at aspca.