Expert: Tina - 10/19/2009

Question
hello
I had a question my male cat got neuter last week October 14 2009.  People told me that if I neuter him this would stop this behavior.  But he still is spraying on the walls and some other areas of the house.  I also have a female cat she got spayed last year ....both of them don't get along and usually the male attacks her and this has being going on before and after my male cat got neuter...someone told that after male cats get neuter they still have some testosterone left and that it will go away in 2 to 3 weeks is... that true??? Help!

Answer
Hi Alma,

Yes it is true it takes up to 6 weeks for the testosterone levels to decline after neutering. However it can also be a habit to spray, and cats are drawn back to places they smell urine. So in the meantime, keep your male cat separate from your other cats (so he doesn't feel the need to be territorial and aggressive) and do the following:

Get a cat urine odor remover at the pet store and a black light. Cat urine will glow under the black light (pet stores usually sell them for this purpose) and you can find hidden sources of odor. Treat all the cat urine spots.

Here is an example of the black light:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+20829+7332&pcatid=...

Also get Feliway spray or lug ins for your house - Feliway is a product that mimics pheromones in cats' cheek glands, it reduces territorial spraying and aggression. I prefer the spray because it can be applied in the areas where your cat has urinated in the past, and re-apply to all areas every 2-3 days. Best is to get a plug in and use the spray in spoiled areas after they are cleaned.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1061

After 6 weeks have passed, re-introduce your neutered male cat to the others as if they were new to eachother:
http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/introducing_cats.html

Good luck!