Why Do Cats Spray After Being Neutered?

The main reason cats spray urine onto surfaces like tree trunks, walls or furniture is to advertise mating availability to other cats. When female cats come into season, they know where to find male or tomcats. Neutering certainly cuts down on spraying behavior. Yet, cats spray urine for more reasons than just to attract a mate. They also use it to mark territory.

  1. Time Frame

    • Spraying becomes a habit for cats. If a cat is neutered before or about 6 months old, he or she has a 90 percent chance of never beginning the spraying habit. Cats that have already been in the habit of spraying may continue after being neutered. In tomcats, testosterone can aggravate the spraying habit. Testosterone levels will not drop until several weeks after neutering. During this time, owners need to discourage the cat from spraying and need to clean any spray marks.

    Scent

    • The scent of old spray marks can reinforce the spraying habit. Cats go back to the same places to spray. If these places have been cleaned so that they no longer smell of cat urine, then that helps cats not to have the scent reminder to trigger spraying behavior. Owners should clean the marked areas with enzyme-based cleaners. They should avoid ammonia-based products to clean, as this smells similar to urine. The Cats of Australia website recommends using a mix of half water and half white vinegar.

    Anxiety

    • Cats will spray if strange cats move in on their territory. Indoor cats may get upset and spray if they see cats outside of the window. Cats may also spray if owners bring a new cat home. The cats spray in order to let the strange cats know that another cat lives in the area. Once the source of the anxiety ceases to exist or the cat no longer considers it a threat, the spraying stops.

    Misconception

    • Both male and female cats can spray, but it is more common for males than for females. Female cats mostly spray when they have not been spayed. Female cats can spray in the standing position, but usually squat to deposit a few drops of urine. When upset, female cats may spray for the same reasons neutered males do.

    Warning

    • Cats can become incontinent for many medical reasons. It may appear, especially in female cats, that the cat is spraying when, in fact, it is suffering from an ailment, according to "Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook." Cats that have stopped spraying for weeks or months and use the litter box faithfully, and then suddenly have accidents could have urinary tract infections, bladder stones, pain in their limbs that makes getting to the litter box difficult or, in very old cats, dementia.