So my Simba is 10 years old the month, ever since he was 2 he has had a bad problem of spraying on walls and doors, even though he’s been fixed.
At first I thought it was because he was mad he couldn’t go through a closed door but he’ll do it on open doors as well.
I’ve made so many vet trips I’ve lost count, every vet trips they test for UTIs but all they can tell me is it’s behavioral.
I’ve tried pheromone wall plugs, anti depressants, cat trees, kenneling him after catching him, but nothing is working.
He will come sit on my lap and cuddle with me for 15 minutes, get up, and then walk towards the wall and spray on it while making eye contact.
Any help is greatly appreciated
Brief Answer:
Given that your 10-year-old neutered cat, Simba, has a history of spraying since age two and has been medically cleared by numerous veterinary visits, this is definitively a complex, long-standing behavioral and anxiety-driven marking issue, likely territorial. The eye contact after cuddling suggests a high level of anxiety or displaced arousal, not “anger.” Since typical first-line solutions like pheromones, anti-depressants, and environmental enrichment have failed, a multi-faceted and structured “Taste, Touch, Smell” approach, such as the Cat Spray Stop guide by Susane Westinghouse, is the most logical next step. This program is designed to use your cat’s natural instincts to reset the behavior, addressing the root cause of anxiety and territorial insecurity that the other methods missed. Simultaneously, you must commit to strictly using an enzyme-based cleaner like Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo to completely neutralize existing odors – failure to do this guarantees remarking and undermines any behavioral correction. This structured, low-cost approach focuses on long-term behavioral change, saving you significant future expense on cleaning and furniture replacement.
Detailed Answer:
It is clear that you have diligently pursued the correct initial steps by ruling out medical causes, which is always essential.
The fact that the spraying behavior has persisted for eight years, even with medical clearance, multiple vet trips, pheromone diffusers, anti-depressants, and environmental enrichment, indicates that the underlying cause is a deep-seated territorial or anxiety issue that has become a learned habit.
The action of spraying on walls and doors, even open ones, is classic territorial marking, a form of communication to establish boundaries, which is often heightened by anxiety, even in a cat who is comfortable enough to cuddle moments before.
My primary recommendation is a two-pronged approach focusing on both behavioral correction and environmental reset.
The first prong is the immediate implementation of a structured program like Cat Spray Stop by Susane Westinghouse.
This guide is specifically valuable in chronic, complex cases like Simba’s because it goes beyond simple environment or pheromone changes.
It employs a “Taste, Touch, Smell” method designed to tap into the cat’s innate instincts to make the marked areas undesirable and the litter box highly appealing.
Since you have tried the common methods without success, a tailored, instinct-based approach is often the cost-effective solution that finally breaks the cycle and saves you from continuous cleaning and potential future vet bills for recurring behavioral issues.
The second, non-negotiable prong is the thorough and consistent cleaning of all marked areas with a high-quality enzymatic cleaner.
You mentioned trying things like kenneling, but without completely eliminating the smell that only an enzymatic cleaner can destroy – not a general household cleaner – Simba will continue to smell the residue and feel the instinct to re-mark.
The enzyme in products like Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo breaks down the odor-causing proteins in the cat’s urine, making the spot undetectable to Simba’s sensitive nose.
If he can smell it, he will continue to mark it, undermining all other efforts, including the Cat Spray Stop program.
This step is critical to stop the cycle of remarking and prevent further damage to your home, which translates into significant cost savings on cleaning and replacement.
Furthermore, a critical element often missed in long-term behavioral spraying is the maintenance of optimal litter box conditions and location.
Even if Simba is voiding normally in the box, the spraying is a separate territorial message.
Ensure you have one litter box per cat plus one extra (the 1+1 rule), scattered in discreet, safe locations that are easy to access and far from his food and water.
For an anxious cat like Simba, the location of the litter box matters immensely for his security.
While you have tried environmental changes, consider adding more vertical territory, perhaps near the doors he marks, to boost his confidence and reduce territorial stress – this is a low-cost, high-impact adjustment.
Addressing the territorial anxiety through a comprehensive program and completely removing the scent markers are the keys to finally solving this long-standing issue and saving you from further financial and emotional stress.
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