I live with someone with a cat that’s about 3 and he’s been spraying recently.
I want to hope that somehow he will stop spraying.
He’s not been fixed and I don’t his owner ever doing that.
Brief Answer:
It is highly unlikely for an unfixed three-year-old male cat to spontaneously stop spraying, as this behavior is overwhelmingly driven by intact hormones and territorial instinct.
The most critical and evidence-based first step to eliminating the spraying is to strongly advocate for or arrange for the cat’s neutering.
Neutering removes the primary hormonal trigger (testosterone) for territorial marking, which is successful in stopping spraying in over 90 percent of male cats.
Simultaneously, you must clean all soiled areas immediately and thoroughly with a high-quality enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo, to completely break down the odor proteins that signal him to remark his territory.
While you work toward neutering, you can temporarily try the “Cat Spray Stop” program by Susan Westinghouse, which uses natural instincts to redirect behavior, but understand its long-term effectiveness on an intact male cat will be limited without the hormonal change.
The combination of neutering and proper cleaning offers the most reliable, long-term, and cost-effective solution, preventing recurring cleaning costs and potential furniture replacement.
Detailed Answer:
As a feline behavior expert, I must be direct: an unfixed three-year-old male cat is exhibiting a completely normal, instinctual, and hormone-driven behavior by spraying, and he will almost certainly not stop on his own.
In male cats, spraying (or marking) is primarily a way to advertise their presence and mark their territory for mating purposes, a behavior dictated by high levels of testosterone.
Without neutering, you are only managing the symptom of a powerful biological drive.
Therefore, the single most impactful and cost-effective action is to get the cat neutered.
This procedure is successful in stopping spraying behavior in the vast majority of male cats – often immediately or shortly thereafter.
While this is an upfront cost, it saves hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars that would otherwise be spent on endless cleaning, furniture replacement, and potentially higher future vet bills if stress leads to medical issues like Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD).
In the meantime, while you discuss neutering with the owner, you must focus on two critical actions.
First, use a high-quality enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo, on every single soiled spot.
Standard household cleaners, soap, or bleach will not work; they may even intensify the scent to the cat.
Only an enzymatic cleaner will break down the uric acid crystals and odor-causing proteins that attract the cat to spray in the same location again.
This is a non-negotiable step to break the remarking cycle.
Second, you can implement the behavioral redirection techniques found in the Cat Spray Stop program by Susan Westinghouse.
This guide focuses on natural “Taste, Touch, Smell” approaches to redirect the cat’s attention and ease anxiety, which can offer a temporary reduction in spraying frequency, especially if the cat is marking due to stress.
However, to reiterate, for a three-year-old intact male, neutering is the foundation of the permanent solution.
The expense of neutering is a one-time investment that saves money and restores peace to your home more reliably than any other method.
About The Author
