15yr old Cat Spraying his sent.?

Question

My cat is 15 yr old male Tabby he has had the snip since he was a kitten and only recently he has started spraying everything. Why?? How will i stop him?

We have 6 cats in total him being second oldest. The 3 kittens/cats are 1 now and its only the last few months he has been doing it. He is definately spraying he stands wiggling tail spraying everything.

Answer 1

You need to evaluate the "type" of urination that is occurring. Is the cat just avoiding or missing the litter box? This is not marking. Look at the image below of a cat in a normal urination position. Notice that the cat almost assumes a sitting position. The rear legs are bowed out slightly and the tail is held rigidly - usually in a rearward position. THIS IS NOT SPRAYING OR MARKING. This is normal urination.

On the other hand, when marking, short spurts of urine are forcefully ejected on vertical surfaces like chair or table legs, walls, windows and drapes as seen below. On occasion, specific items like pillows, a single persons dirty clothes or favorite chair is singled out. Look at the posture. The cat is standing and twitches the near vertical tail and sometimes paws at the floor with the back paws. THIS IS URINE MARKING OR SPRAYING.


Urine spraying constitutes 44% of all the housesoiling complaints in cats.

It is quite normal behavior for the cat - it is just that we humans can't handle the smell and mess.

Most often it is sexually related - Tomcats spray during mating season or some queens do so to attract males during estrus.

Resident cats may scent mark or spray when:
(a) uncomfortable with the surroundings
(b) getting less than normal attention
(c) punishing someone
(d) there has been a change in routine
(e) there is overcrowding
(f) a new animal or human has been introduced

The Remedies - Alter the response or modify the stimulus for spraying...

Establishing a desirable relationship
Vindictiveness is hard to prove but is very likely... After scolding or the introduction of a new person/animal the cat may go jump up on your bed or favorite chair and urinate. Often, cats spray a specific object indicating a less than desirable relationship with the object or person who's associated with the object. If it is associated with a person, many times the spraying can be stopped by having that person feed the cat twice a day with a desirable food while all others in the household stay clear. This establishes a "desirable relationship with that person and alters the stimulus to spray.

Castration
87% of all tomcats stop spraying after castration
78% stop immediately
9% stop in a few months
13% keep right on spraying
Males cats are more likely to spray if a female cat is in the house or neighborhood showing the sexually relationship of urine marking.

Drug Therapy

Progestins such as Depo Provera or Ovaban work best...
They work best in single cat households and males
Can have serious side effects (liver toxicity, uterine infection, etc.)

Anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium
Work best in multi-cat households and females

Drugs work best if used after removing the inciting factors.

Behavior Modification
It is important that the cat be carefully observed - timing is very important for corrections - after the fact correction doesn't work!
Water Pistol, Plant Sprayer, Loud Noise, Light Flash, Throw an Object (Can filled with dried beans)
Aluminum foil hung on affected area causes a noise and reflects the urine spray back on the offender.
Often they play with the foil and forget about spraying.
Sometimes if food bowls and litter boxes are moved near the affected areas they will stop (rarely, but it's worth a try).
Isolation with food, water and a litter box sometimes reduces stress and brings them back into the habit of using the litterbox.

Instructions for New Cat Introductions
Isolate the new cat to a small room
Allows the resident cat to get used to the new smells and noises.
Allows the new cat to get in the habit of using the litterbox before exploring larger, less secure territory.

Old Cat Moved to New Home
Once again, confine to a small area
A small area allows hair and dander to collect and mark the cats territory.
Gradual access allows exploration in a non-stressful manner

Neurosurgical Methods
Expensive and dangerous.
Methods as drastic as frontal lobotomy, destruction of the sense of smell, severing urinary tract muscles have been tried usually with failure.

Answer 2

I have had the very same problem in recent months with my 13 year-old male ginger tabby. He has been neutered for the past five years and had stopped spraying up until a few months ago. It is a behavioral isue when they start spraying after they have been neutered is what my Vet told me. He also gave me a spray called Feliway, which has natural cat pheromeones in it. Basically what it does is trick your cat into thinking that his scent has already been rubbed into an area (when your cat rubs something with the side of his face he his actually placing his scent on it). What you have to do first is wash the area that hs been sprayed with warm soapy water and white vinegar. This gets rid of the smell - it actually works. Then you spray the area with Feliway twice a day for one month. Your cat will not spray in the area again. But make sure you do this in every area you think your cat would be attracted to:in corners, in closets, under tables, etc.). You can find Feliway at pretty much any pet store or pet catalog or ask your vet to provide it for you. It costs about 18-20 dollars. Also, you may want to look at why your cat is spraying all of a sudden. Have there been any major changes in your household? Have you recently moved or has someone moved in with you? Is your cat alone a lot of the time? Is he restless and bored? Sparying can be a symptom of any of these issues. People like to think that cats don't need their humans, which they don't, but that doesn't mean they don't get lonely when we're not around to rub them and play with them and dote on them.

Answer 3

Are there outside cats hanging around? Is there a new cat in the home? This would trigger spraying in a neutered male. Is it actual spraying or is he urinating? When they spray they stand upright and their tails wiggle a little. They would squat a bit to urine. If he is doing this, he could have some kidney or urinary tract problems. Only a vet can tell you for sure so you should get him in.

Answer 4

A Vet can give him a hormone shot which will stop the spraying. It also may take a second shot.

Forgot to mention: Males usually spray to mark their territory. Whether or not this is his reason, a quick way to eliminate the odor is to flush the area with white vinegar and cold water. Never use hot water - it will magnify the smell.

Answer 5

Male cats often do that to mark their territory by spraying. Did anything change recently- did you move or get a new pet? It's hard to stop them, just anytime you see him doing it- make a loud noise.

Answer 6

He needs a urine screening with a vet. Sometimes neutered male cats display this behavior when they have a UTI. He may be trying to show you that something is wrong.

Answer 7

what do u mean? spray?