Spraying

[chelsea78]

Hiya does anyone have any idea at what sort of age a male cat will start to spray?
i have two kittens one of each sex 5mths old and i was told to becarefull with my male spraying my home, i hadnt thought of this because i didnt realise they spray there own territory but i was told other wise, so if anyone has any idea please let me know,
many thanks

[lankeela]

If you get him neutered he will not spray, and also he will not mate with his sister (if it is his sister) even if it is not, he will still mate with her when she comes into season, and at five months you are pushing you luck if neither of them are done.

[chelsea78]

Yeh your right he does need doing, they aint family and iv been told its best she has a litter before getting her done, i just need to try and keep him away from her

[lankeela]

Don't know who told you that, but cats do not need a litter before being done, and they can be got by a tomcat at about six months old which is far too young to have a litter.

[wiggal]

Lankeela, can i just say, if he starts spraying before you get him neutered, he may continue!
My eldest male, is 3yrs now and we had him neutered 18 months ago, but we were too late and he sprays still, he has even sprayed me when i was lying on the sofa :(

[bensmum]

At around 5 months he should be about ready for neutering - I would take him to your vet to make sure he is developed enough and then it's a pretty easy operation. And as lankeela says there is no reason for a cat to have a litter before being spayed. Perhaps your vet would do a deal for you if you get them both done at the same time!

[chelsea78]

Thanku all for comments, i didnt realise if you get your male cat neutered he will still spray! why do they spray? i can understand them going into another home doing it but not there own.

[lankeela]

They spray to mark 'their' territory and to warn off other male cats who might want to take over their territory and steal their females! Bit like down the local on a Saturday night.

[Psychick]

I got my male done when he was 7 months old, my female was 6 months old and hadn't had a litter previously. I chose not to let her have a litter first as she had a very rough start in life and was a rescued cat and I didn't want to risk her health.
I have been told by a vet that males may spray where any male prescence in sensed.....not just other cats! How true this is I'm not sure but coming from a vet.......I guess there must be something in it.

[tiggerwoo]

Same problem here...I have a 7 year old male who "sprays" away merrily to his hearts content. He was "done" when very young and had'nt sprayed previously. Neutered males DO spray I'm afraid. Sometimes they do it when stressed or feeling insecure for some reason but whatever the reason it's very difficult to solve the problem.Multi cat households seem to suffer.....I have 3 cats 2 male and 1 female. The female bullies the youngest one who has he spraying problem and I sometimes wonder if he does it cos he's stressed about it. I also notice he does it when he does'nt get his own way ie. if I don't let him out when he wants me too. He has a litter tray and everything. Well i digress.....what can you do? I certainly would'nt ever be without him so I have to cope with the problem as best I can and watch where I put my handbag....shoes etc lol...best of luck.....a good product to help you cope is a product called Urine Off which works very well with stains and odour...you can buy it online.

[lankeela]

If you don't let him out when he wants to go, I am not surprised he sprays! Maybe he is trying to tell you something, such as I need to go pee? (Apologies to Forest Gump).