My neutered cat just recently started spraying and it seems to be in the same spot. What could this be?

Question

He is 2 years and was fixed when he was 6 months old. I know it is not very common for him to spray after being fixed, but it does happen. What do you think the causes could possibly be. I also just replaced the carpet 2 weeks ago and he started last week. I can not handle this smell. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love him too much to get rid of him.

Answer 1

Considering you are a responsible owner and weighed out the possible bad behaviours that could occur before buying your pet, I know you wouldn't get rid of him now that he is displaying some.  Sometimes it happens unfortunately even though he's neutered.  They do it for territorial purposes.  Have you recently added a new animal to the house or have a stray cat hanging around outside?  Do you have another cat that may possibly be in heat?  You can try to curve the bad behaviour by spraying him with a water bottle when he's doing it if you catch him, but other than that you are just going to have to do a lot of cleaning. Invest in a small steam cleaner, and some spray cleaner (there is cleaner you can get specifically for cat spray.)  There may also be something connected with the new carpet.  The new smell may have caused him to feel the need to mark his territory (like it's a whole new place for him)

Answer 2

Generally when neutered cats begin spraying it's because of illness or they're anxious that their territory is under threat.  If he hasn't been seen by a vet recently it's a good idea to take him in for a check up because he might be suffering from a bladder or urinary infection.  

If the vet gives him a clean bill of health, then you need to take a closer look at his environment and the location of where he sprays, to see what might be making him feel insecure.  Are there other pets in the home or outside that he might feel intimidated by?  Some cats can find unfamiliar scents very threatening and perhaps the new carpet has an odour that he finds intimidating or the upheaval of having it fitted stressed him?  Have there been any other changes in your daily routine? These are just a few possible suggestions, but there could be other reasons.

The web site below has a good article on spraying and how to solve the problem.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20probl...

This link also has advice you may find helpful.

http://www.cats.org.uk/catcare/leaflets/...

Make sure you clean the sprayed areas thoroughly using an enzymatic product or make your own cleaning solution by mixing 10% biological (enzymatic) detergent with warm water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and allow to dry naturally. Whichever method of cleaning you use, when the area is dry, spray it with surgical spirit (cheap from the chemist) as this will kill off any remaining traces that the cleaning solution may have missed. Don't skimp on the cleaning routine. Cats have got a much better sense of smell than us and as long as he can detect his own scent, he'll be tempted to top it up as it begins to fade.  Invest in a Feliway plug-in as they emit an aroma that cats find soothing, and will make him less inclined to spray.

I appreciate that this is a frustrating problem to deal with, but please don't be tempted to resort to punishment of any kind. Spraying is often a cry for help, and punishment will only make an already ill or anxious cat just feel even worse. He needs your patience and understanding.

Hope this helps.