A potty-trained cat makes a good pet to keep, as it will not mess around with your seats and carpets. However, if your cat has started leaving small amounts of sprayed urine on vertical surfaces like chairs, walls, and even your doors and doesn’t scratch to conceal the pee, then you need to be concerned, as this signals several issues. If spraying is your main concern, then we are going to discuss why the behavior occurs in cats and how to stop it.
The following are six main reasons why your male cat is spraying everywhere:
1. To Communicate With Other Cats
A cat will spray to send a message to other cats in the household that a given space belongs to it. This enables timesharing as they can coordinate different cat movements in a given territory. This helps in the prevention of aggressive encounters between the cats.
Cats are also able to communicate with neighborhood cats and stray cats that they are in charge of a given territory. Hence, spraying is a stay-away sign used to discourage outsiders from hanging around.
2. To Attract a Mate
A male cat will start spraying as a sign of readiness for mating. This is a common occurrence for both male and female cats that have reached sexual maturity. When on heat, the cat will spray to signal where it is to the other cat.
So, at what age do male cats start spraying? Spraying normally starts when your kitten reaches sexual maturity. Most cats start to spray between the ages of 6 and 7 months; however, male cats can reach maturity as early as 4 to 5 months.
3. Your Cat Is Feeling Threatened
If your cat perceives some threat nearby, it will get stressed, which can result in spraying. Stress in your pet can be triggered by the presence of new cats in the home or neighborhood, a visitor, redecorating your home, a change in routine, or some sudden loud noises in the surrounding environment. By marking with a scent that your cat is familiar with, your pet feels more secure.
4. Medical Issues
A cat that has any urinary tract infections, urinary tumors, bladder stones, or other blockages will experience pain and discomfort. This will lead to continuous spraying as a way of self-soothing.
5. Your Cat Is Marking Territorial
Having two or more cats in the household can lead to territorial issues, as the cats will have to share feeding bowls and litter boxes. It is common for them to have conflicts now and then, as well as develop a spraying behavior where they send scent signals to mark items and spaces as their own. Territorial spraying can happen both inside and outside the house.
6. Litter Box Issues
A fully potty-trained cat is less likely to urinate everywhere. However, if your cat has stopped using its litter box and is messing all over the house, it’s good to check if there are any issues with the litter box. Cats are very sensitive when it comes to their living environment, and any small change can easily trigger them.
Hence, check whether the litter box is too clean or too dirty. You have changed the location or height of the box or the type of litter that you are using. All these can make your cat stop using the litter box and start spraying everywhere.
Spraying will happen in social places where other pets spend time, near windows or doors, and in places where your cat may feel stressed or threatened.
Does Male Cat Spray Smell Bad?
Yes. A male cat spray smells bad. The strength of the smell differs for neutered cats and those that are intact. .
An intact male spraying urine will have a strong, pungent smell due to the high concentration of sex hormones. As castration reduces the hormones, a neutered cat will produce urine with less odor.
Spray urine has a lot of hormones and chemicals and usually stains, as it is intended to leave a mark wherever it’s excreted
How Do You Get Rid of Cat Spray Naturally?
Are you concerned about your cat’s spraying behavior and wondering what kills the smell of male cat spray? If yes, then try vinegar.
You need to clean cat spray well, as traces of previous spraying can trigger your cat’s desire to mark an area. To achieve that, use a mixture of vinegar and water, followed by baking soda, to remove the cat spray odors.
Enzymatic cleaners can also be used to neutralize organic debris and the smell of sprayed items. Ensure that you don’t use cleaners with ammonia, as it will trigger more spraying.
How Can You Stop a Male Cat From Spraying?
You can stop your male cat from spraying by:
Neutering
This procedure is used to interfere with the functionality of your cat’s sexual hormones.
It’s less likely for neutered cats to spray unless they are in a stressful environment or they feel that their social and emotional needs are not met. As intact males spray more than neutered male cats, especially if there is a female around, it’s advisable to consider neutering if your cat can’t stop spraying.
However, if you keep your cat for reproduction purposes, some other strategies on how to stop a male cat from spraying without neutering have to be used.
They include:
1. Unmark the Spot
Clean the area where your cat has sprayed and ensure that you get rid of any lingering smells. This will help prevent your cat from spraying on the spot again.
2. Consult Your Vet
Have your pet checked by a veterinarian to rule out any possibility of an underlying medical condition and be advised appropriately.
3. Help Reduce Your Cat’s Stress
Look out for any stressors that might be triggering the spraying behavior and have them removed. Check the living area of your furry friend to ascertain that it is habitable and comfortable.
4. Keep Your Cat Active
Provide your cat with enough toys to play with and avoid boredom.
5. Don’t Punish Your Cat
Refrain from punishing or yelling at your cat if it sprays on your carpet or sofa, as this will not solve the problem but instead enhance the bad behavior.
6. Make The Marked Spot a Happy Place
After cleaning a sprayed spot, you can use it as a feeding station, a play area, or a sleeping spot for your cat.
7. Address Conflict Between Cats
As the spraying can be a result of setting territories, if you have more than one cat, provide enough resources for them and introduce the cats gradually.
You are supposed to have an extra item for your cats to prevent conflicts. For instance, if you own two cats, you should have three litterboxes, food and water bowls, and several toys to play with.
8. Keep Stray Cats Away
This can be achieved by covering your windows, placing feliway diffusers in areas your cat has marked, and using vinegar in the yard.
What Medication Is Used to Stop Male Cats From Spraying?
Antidepressants such as clomipramine and fluoxetine can be used to manage stress. This can help reduce the spraying’s stress-induced effects.
Anti-anxiety drugs like buspirone and benzodiazepines can also be used to heal the condition.
How Long Does It Take for a Male Cat to Stop Spraying?
If your cat has been neutered, it can stop spraying within the first six months of neutering.
Some cats stop instantly; others take a few weeks, 2-3 months, or a few years; and for some, the spraying doesn’t stop at all. The latter case occurs if the cat was neutered when he was old, has been spraying most of his life, and is stressed or lacks enrichment.
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