Expert: Becky - 1/25/2005

Question
Hi Becky,

I'm having some behavioural problems with my 5 year old Siamese cat, Harry, and I was wondering if you could help.

Harry literally walked into our lives about 6 months ago. We knew a cat was lost in our neighbourhood and he kept turning up at our house in the evenings for food. Long story short - he had run away from his owners as they had just brought 2 dogs into the home. This had distressed him greatly and so he decided that he wanted to live with us.

We already have two cats (female) aged 11 and 3 and although the house was crowded we agreed to take him on after discussing the situation with his previous owner.

The problems started after a few weeks. Bounty, the youngest of the female cats, will not come downstairs because of him...no matter what we do. We don't want to force her as she obviously distressed by Harry. Unfortunately it's getting to the stage where it's just not comfortable having a litter tray in the bedroom and she needs to exercise.

Secondly, over the last few months Harry has taken to spraying on the carpet and on clothes. Since this is horizontal spraying we have been told that he is also stressed. It has gradually gotten worse and it is now happening on a daily basis. We know he isn't THAT unhappy at the house as he would have left by now but we are obviously worried about him. Today he defecated on the carpet too which is even more worrying.

I don't want to have to rehouse Harry as he has had so much upheaveal over the last year. He is an absolutely lovely cat with the sweetest temperament. He gets on well with the humans of this house and he is very affectionate. However, things have hit an ultimate low now and I don't know what to do!

Any help you could offer would be fantastic!
Thanks so much,
Steph

Answer
Hi Steph,

Harry is being a typical male, marking his territory.  Has he been neutered?  If not, do that right away.  It will help, but since he has already starting marking, it may not completely get rid of the problem.   I don't think he is unhappy at all, he is marking "his" house and that means he is quite the happy one!  The problem is,  you are not happy and neither is Bounty!!  

Take him to be neutered as soon as possible.  While he is away,  clean all of the areas where he has sprayed with a good animal deodorizing shampoo and add some vinegar to it too.  It is important to get the odor up, and vinegar is a good deodorizer.  If he has already been neutered,  put him in a crate or in a room, and do the cleaning.   Afterwards, you will have to watch him like a hawk.  I would absolutely not let him have the run of the house while you are gone.   You need to supervise him and if you see him begin to spray... and  males usually back up and start to wiggle.... then firmly tell him NO!  Do not spank him because it will not do any good, and do not reprimand him afer the fact.   Try to praise him and give him lots of attention.   

As for Bounty, eventually she might come downstairs, but honestly, she may not.   He has made himself "king of the hill" so to speak, and she may never accept him, or vice versa.  You also need to be careful, as sometimes when there are an uneven number of cats, two will gang up on one.   

You really do have your hands full, and I admire you trying, but keep in mind that it may not work out,  and if it doesn't, I would find a Siamese rescue group that will take him and place him in a good home.  I'm not trying to be negative, but because of his age, he may not stop spraying , no matter what you do.   

Good luck and God bless,
Becky