My cat is fixed?,,Why did this happen?

Question

My cat Jessie is almost 13 years old and he was 'fixed' as a kitten. He is an indoor cat but lately, he seems to want to go outside more then live with us. Anyway, my husband took him out to the back yard and as always, was keeping a close eye on him. All of a sudden he saw him back his butt over to a small tree/bush, and then gave out 2 squirts!!!! I thought if he was fixed he would never spray. How did this happen and why??? Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Answer 1

Getting neutered is not a guarantee that a male cat will not mark his territory. My neutered male cat marked "his" territory (which was my couch mostly) for almost all of his 17 years.

Your cat was outside, smelled another cat on "his" turf and decided to show him whose territory it really is. It's Jessie's and he made that clear when he marked the bush.

Answer 2

Just because they are spayed doesn't mean they won't mark their territory. I used to take my cat (16 now about 10 then) out on a harness and leash until he sprayed 2 times. They usually do this to mark what is theirs. Outside many other animals have marked as well so they feel the need to mark over the others sent. Inside if other cats have not marked then they will only use the rubbing method to release oils from their face, and other areas of the body. The only time my cat has sprayed inside was when I had the storm door open and a male cat came to visit. He sprayed the door. I had to make the other cat leave and since then it hasn't happened again. I no longer walk my cat outside because I was afraid it would increase his need to spray. Your cat has probably seen another cat in his territory which is why he wants out to mark. Keep a watch on him inside. Most likely if he doesn't feel threatened inside he won't spray. Best to keep an eye on him just in case. If you do see the tail go up and the quiver began make a loud noise to distract and keep him from actually doing it. That will stop him and help train him that it's not ok inside.

Answer 3

Neutering does not 100% guarentee that a male won't spray. However, it does greatly decrease the chance of it.

Looks like he was outside for the first time, either ever or in a long time, and could smell the scent of other cats in the area. He was just simply showing that that bush was his.

If he's never done it in the house before, I wouldn't be too concerned. The scent of the neighborhood cats are not in your house. If you take him outside again, he might do it again, which isn't so much of a big deal since it's outside and not on your furniture.

Answer 4

neutering/spaying a cat does not prevent them from spraying. 10% of fixed cats continue to spray after being fixed. I wouldn't worry about it unless he starts doing it inside.

Answer 5

Nah that's a myth I'm afraid! My 18 year old FEMALE cat never stopped spraying her whole life, and neither have most of the other neutered cats in my neighbourhood! Neutering knocks a lot of the territoriality out of them, but by no means all of it. This sounds like completely normal behaviour to me!

There are sprays available for the garden and house that are supposed to discourage animals from spraying - worth a try if you want to save your shrubs, we lost a mini conifer thing to continual cat spray!

Chalice

Answer 6

Just because its fixed is no guarantee that they want spray. Some males will and some don't...Its just a decision that the cat makes...

Answer 7

getting them fixed is not a garentee that they will not spray!! I have said that several times on here an have always been given the thumbs down!! Now your cat is showing proof! Good luck

Answer 8

did you get him fixed before he started spraying? sometimes neutering doesn't guarentee that the cat won't spray.

Answer 9

They can still spray and I would say there was another cat in your yard.