Those smelly males (Cat spraying)

I was under the impression that male cats have a tendency to mark their territory with a scent. I think the gland is located in the rectum. I am not sure how this works. I wonder if some one could direct me to an area on the internet that could help me. I have a tenant that has 2 male cats and she tells me that she had them fixed, neutered, and this marking would then not occur anymore. I always thought that it will never stop unless you have the gland removed. I have 2 cats myself, females. I have females because of the marking that doesn't occur.

Phil

 

It will stop like 90% of them from spraying, so you've got a very good chance that your tenants cat will stop. But if they are not keeping the litter box as clean as they should then the cat will go elsewhere.

 

The marking behavior usually starts with puberty. If the cats are neutered at the earliest stage, the behavior usually does not develop. Once developed, it likely will not cease.

 

Neutering is routine operation performed by the veterinarian to remove the cat's sex organs. The male is castrated. Part of the spermatic cord and both testicles are removed on male cats. The vet makes a tiny incision at the base of the scrotal sac to cut and tie the spermatic cord. Then testicles are removed. The scrotal sac eventually recedes. Female cats receive a hysterectomy and cut about mid-abdomen and the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed.

Both males and females spray on vertical surfaces. They urinate on flat surfaces. Neutering is effective about 90% of the time for eliminating spraying, and it best done about 4-6 weeks before sexually developed. Poor litterbox situation--dirty box, scented litter, bad location--can induce stress which can cause spraying. Cats don't like anything to upset their routine, such as a change in schedule, a move to a new home, a new cat, which can cause stress. Cats which can see other cats through windows or doors may spray because they are territorial. In multiple cat households spraying may be a result of competitiveness.

Enzyme digester cleaners are recommended for cleaning up pet messes. Enzymes must be given time to digest the odors and stains. These are sold at pet stores as pet mess cleaners. They are also sold at home centers and hardwares and marketed under a variety of names such as OdoBan, Out, and Nature's Miracle.

Urine spraying tends to create cleaning nightmares. Worst cause scenario is having to remove carpet and padding and sealing urine odors in subfloor with a couple coats of primer/sealer. Bottoms of walls where cats spray also need primer/sealer and repainted.

 

Thanks for all the good information. Now I just need to be able to tell the tenant who is convinced that her cats are not the problem with the odor.