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Category: Animals & Pets : Cats
Cats spray for several reasons: to mark their territory, and to advertise for females.
Most neutered male cats will not spray. The only exception to this is if you should move, then they might spray for a few weeks to make sure that any stray cats know that they are now in residence and will not tolerate trespassers.
The best solution is to have them neutered before they start spraying. If they start spraying before they are neutered then you have a harder problem.
You must discourage them from wanting to spray at all.
Moving their litter box, food and water bowls to the areas where they spray will sometimes work. Of course you will have to clean the area completely first, but make sure you do not use ammonia based cleaners because that will encourage your cat to mark again. Using a vinegar based cleaner, or even straight vinegar will ensure that even the cats sensitive nose will not pick up the remaining scent. It even works on carpet and upholstered furniture.
Another trick is to use brown bottle Lysol brand cleaner to wash everything except their litter box and food bowls. Most cats do not like the scent of Lysol and will avoid spraying near it. I have had cats refuse to use a litter box, for several weeks after cleaning it with Lysol.
If none of these work, your job is harder but not impossible. Fill a squirt gun with water and if you can manage keep it at hand at all times. I found leaving several laying around in each room where they sprayed was extremly effective. Keep a sharp eye on your cats, and as soon as they start to spray squirt them with the squirt gun. I suggest that if you can not be there all day, that you confine them in a small room, or garage.
Cats do not like getting wet and this will discourage them. It may take several weeks to completly stop the behavior, but they can be trained.
Occasionally a cat will go back to spraying after not doing it for awhile. If it is not neutered, you can probably guess that a neighbors cat is in heat. Again use the technique that was most effective for you.
I leave a filled squirt gun available at all times to nip any problems before they become ingrained behaviors.
Your vet might have other suggestions, if so try those as well. Each cat has a personality of thier own and much like children they learn in different ways.
Keep trying... eventually your cat will learn what you will allow and what you won't.
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Submitted By
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ckeeta |
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A day care provider, and a mother of 3. |
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