The majority of male cats will stop spraying within 6 months of being neutered. However, cats may still spray long after being fixed. When a cat experiences a stressful situation, such as a change in environment or the addition of new pets or people to the home, their reaction may include urine marking.
If your neutered cat is spraying this is called “reactional spraying”. This kind of spraying occurs when there has been a change in your cat's environment, either physically, or with the addition of new cats or people.
If your cat has started spraying and is entire, you should speak to your vet about neutering. Spraying often starts around six months of age as cats reach sexual maturity. Spaying females and castrating males will reduce or stop spraying behaviour in up to 95% of cats!
Once a cat is neutered the testosterone levels decline significantly within 24 to 48 hours. Allowing for some variation in how quickly this occurs, and traces of tom cat urine that may be "clinging" to the cat's urinary tract, tom cat urine odor should be barely detectable or gone within a week after neutering.
When an intact male sprays urine, it will have the characteristic “tom cat” odor that is strong and pungent. Castration or neutering will change the odor, and may reduce the cat's motivation for spraying, but approximately 10% of neutered males and 5% of spayed females will continue to spray.
If you aren't looking to breed your cat then neutering them (male or female) can help with a number of behavioural or medical issues. However, note that even neutered cats will still urinate inappropriately.
First, determine whether your cat is spraying or urinating. Cats urinate by squatting onto a horizontal surface; spraying occurs standing up. The cat makes a treading motion with her back feet and quivers her tail, leaving her scent mark on a vertical surface.
Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
Spraying is not the same as peeing outside the litter box. When spraying, a cat's tail will stand up straight. The tail may vibrate a little. By spraying, they deposit small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces: especially doors, walls and windows are likely victims.
Thoroughly clean the area by wiping it down with warm soapy water, or a mixture of alcohol and water. Use a clean towel to blot it dry, let it dry naturally or use a vacuum. Do this a few times if necessary until there's no trace of the smell.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
For male cats, neutering before 5 months of age would substantially reduce or eliminate male territorial marking, fighting, and roaming.
The only behaviors affected by castration are those under the influence of male hormones (these are called sexually dimorphic behaviors). A cat's temperament, training, and personality are the result of genetics and upbringing, and are generally unaffected by the presence or absence of male hormones.
A: The vast majority of cats do not spray. Males are more likely than females to spray, but if a cat is neutered before 6 months, he will almost never spray. If an intact male cat does begin to spray, neutering him will solve the problem in about 95 percent of the cases.
Most pet cats are neutered and do not spray indoors, probably because they do not feel they need to. Spraying indoors is a sign that the cat is feeling stressed and needs to make itself feel more secure, surrounding itself by its own scent. As indoor spraying indicates that the cat feels threatened by something.
Cats commonly urine-spray when they want or feel they need to mark their territory, when they feel threatened, or due to a medical condition.
Cats can also spray horizontal surfaces, although it's less common. Thanks to additional pheromones, sprayed urine is usually more pungent than urine in the litter box.
A strong fishy smell in cat urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, which are common in cats. A strong fruity or sweet urine smell can signal feline diabetes. A stronger ammonia smell can signal even more concentrated urine, which can be due to kidney disease.
Make Sure Your Cat is Spayed or Neutered
Spaying or neutering your cat—especially early in life—will usually eliminate, or at least decrease, spraying. Even if your furry friend is no longer a kitten, spaying or neutering still helps to reduce spraying. Talk with your vet for a professional recommendation.
A small amount of wee is then sprayed backwards onto a vertical surface such as a wall, leaving an obvious scent mark. Cats commonly choose a spot close to the door or window to spray, such as the curtains.
When cats choose somewhere besides their litter boxes to urinate, veterinarians look for health concerns such as such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, crystals in the urine (a potentially life-threatening situation in male cats), bladder stones, or bladder inflammation caused by an infection or even stress ...
In particular, a cat that feels unsafe or vulnerable in any way can take to peeing on your bed. Similarly, a bored or under-stimulated cat can also start peeing in inappropriate areas as a way to communicate their need for more stimulation with you.
Neutralization on a Solid Surface
A solution containing one part white vinegar and two parts warm water works well, as does any enzyme-based cat stain and odor remover, reveals Cat Health Guide. Just about anything acidic works, but never use ammonia because it will attract more cats.
FELIWAY Optimum is clinically proven to help reduce unwanted cat spraying. The “happy messages” will help your cat feel relaxed and comfortable in it's environment and help to reduce unwanted cat spraying. Continuous use of a FELIWAY Optimum will help prevent any relapse of cat spraying in the house.