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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/female spraying
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Question
Hi there
we have a 4 year old female, she is fit and healthy has been checked by a vet, and has been spayed. For the past two and a half years since we bought a female kitten into the household she does regularly, probably once or twice a month spray indoors,but constantly outdoors.It's not a problem outside, but we want to stop it indoors. We have tried Feliway, repositioning bed/food etc Bach's Rescue Remedy to no resolve.Is there an operation to stop this, the spraying seems very much stronger smelling than urine.Sometimes she will spray in our presence over times it's not. The other cat is extremely playfull and not aggresive towards her.
Please help, thanks in advance - Kim
Kim,
Did the vet check for a urinary tract infection, or urinary crystals? That behavior is a common sign of either of those.
Also you may want to have her checked by ultra sound or x-ray to see if, when she was spayed, that they may have missed an ovary. It is not common, but it does happen, and since she is showing signs of heat-related behavior it is possible.
No, there is no surgery to stop her from doing it unless you want to get her re-spayed to make sure she isn't in heat.
She could be an 'alpha female' marking her territory. That is common too. But her urine shouldn't be any stronger than normal.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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