Neutered Male Cat Spraying In The House

By

KansasCindy

Well, I highly suspect your cat is indeed "stressed" as you consider putting him down for acting like an animal. If you are seriously thinking of ending your pet's life because he sprays, I agree with "Pixiedust7" that you need to find a new home for him. Pets are dirty, stinky, shedding, peeing, pooping and puking creatures. As others said, this is a behavioral problem and unworthy of a death sentence.

I'm sorry for being so crass. You obviously love your cats, all are older rescues who have been living with you for years. Just hang in there with them as they deal with their own issues and do your best to interpret their messages. I agree that something has changed in your cat's life that might be upsetting him. It's your job, as a pet parent, to figure out what that problem is. If your vet hasn't been able to help, schedule a consultation with another vet.

I have a few suggestions that might help you eliminate the spray odor. If it's something that can be washed in the washing machine , add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. If it is a hard surface, wipe it down with vinegar. If it is carpet or upholstery, (test on any fabric in a discrete area first) try dousing it with wintergreen scented rubbing alcohol. You will smell the wintergreen for a day or two, but that is not unpleasant.

I wish you much luck, just please don't consider putting down your cat because he acts like an animal.

By

sandcanyongal

Both sexes will spray, not only males. Many females shake those tails and aim high too. Sometimes a cat isn't marking but will continue to squat on an item like a blanket, throw rug or towels. It may take 2 to 3 washes to get the smell out of heavy items. One wash usually won't do. It's the same with a wall, door or anything else. The spot has to be cleaned really well before their noses can't pick up the odor. My first load is with oxyclean, the second with regular stuff and some fabuloso for the fragrance. It seems to work.) I haven't ever figured out how to stop an individual cat from doing it, ever, other than keeping them out of the main part of the house.

My pee'ers live in the garage now. I keep it cleaned up and notice that they do their business outside when the door is cracked open with no spraying inside. One other thing. KMart carries a large kid's sandbox shaped like a turtle. It's big and can handle a 40lb bag of litter. I've noticed that there is much less spraying for the ones using it. Perhaps it's the size. It's big but easy to clean and maintain with the tall sides.

By

Pixiedust7

It's horrifying that anyone would even consider putting a cat down (i.e. killing it) because it is spraying in the house. If a child couldn't learn potty training, or became incontinent, would you kill the child? This is a behavioral issue and can be resolved with thoughtful patience and care. Try to remember what was going on when the cat began to do this - perhaps he was disturbed by some change in the household routine, or issues have developed between him and one of the other cats. If you do not have the patience to deal with this, then please give the cat to a sanctuary, where he can live out his days in the care of the sanctuary staff. Killing should never be used as the "solution" to such a problem.

By

lyonpridej

Is he stressed out over something? Has something changed? Is he mad at you? We had a male cat (who was also 'fixed'). I found him when I was a teen & he was 1 day old. When I would come home to visit as an adult, he would be mad at me for being gone & would pee and/or spray my suitcase if he could get to it! He also did that around the house when he was upset with my mom sometimes. My mom had to clean up after his 'fits' with one of those odor neutralizers. He didn't start that until he was around 10 years old, did it for a year or two, then quit! He lived to a ripe old age of 19.

I have been having trouble for a couple of years with my male, neutered, indoor cat spraying around the house.