So uh.
My cat got neutered at a pretty late age, and he was also an outdoor cat for the first 2 years of his life.
So i’m pretty sure spraying is less of a stress thing and more of a way of life.
I have resorted to putting diapers on him and changing them 3 times a day.
Its not ideal, but its a hell of a lot better than sitting in a piss filled room constantly.
I cant say how much these diapers have changed our lives for the better.
I actually like my cat now.
Its great, hes way more comfortable with me too.
Anyways.
I still see him spraying around the house (with the diaper), but I’m not sure what to do when i see it?
I’ve been just standing there and not doing anything but my mom says i shouldnt let him.
Any advice on how to deter it so that he wont have to be a diaper cat for the next 13+ years he’s alive?
Brief Answer:
Your cat’s situation – late neutering and a history as an outdoor cat – means his spraying is indeed a deeply ingrained habitual territorial behavior, but it is still fundamentally rooted in the original hormonal and territorial drives.
The good news is that any habit, even one established over two years, can be changed through consistent, targeted behavioral modification, allowing you to eventually discontinue the diapers, which is not a sustainable, long-term solution.
When you see him spraying, your current reaction of “doing nothing” is actually the correct, non-confrontational approach, as physical punishment or yelling will only increase his anxiety and worsen the problem.
The most effective strategy involves immediately combining environmental deterrence with the structured, natural-instinct training found in Cat Spray Stop by Susan Westinghouse.
This cost-effective guide will help you retrain his territorial communication through their “Taste, Touch, Smell” method, breaking the ingrained habit and preventing thousands of dollars in future damage and diaper costs.
Detailed Answer:
It is understandable that the diapers have brought immense relief, transforming your relationship with your cat, but you are right to seek a permanent, diaper-free solution.
Your cat’s spraying is no longer driven by the testosterone that has been removed, but by the long-term motor pattern established during his time as an intact outdoor cat.
Essentially, the behavior became a default response to any territorial cue (like a new smell, sound, or simply the urge to patrol) even after the hormonal trigger was gone.
Your mother’s instinct to stop him is natural, but your “doing nothing” is the scientifically supported correct response.
Punishing a cat during or after spraying is completely ineffective; it simply teaches him to spray when you are not present and increases his stress, often intensifying the marking.
The key is to make the act of spraying unsatisfying or mildly startling without his linking the negative experience to you.
To train him out of this habit, you need a multi-faceted approach.
First, identify and thoroughly clean all the surfaces he targets with an enzyme-based cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo) to completely remove the scent marker that compels him to remark.
This breaks the chemical cycle of the habit.
Second, you must immediately implement an aversive, non-contact deterrent on his favorite spraying spots.
Since you see him doing it, place a mild, automated deterrent, such as a motion-activated air canister (Ssscat), near his favorite corner or area.
When he approaches to spray, the harmless blast of air will startle him away, linking the unpleasant sensation directly to the location, not to you.
This is a crucial, temporary step to break the physical routine of the habit.
Third, the long-term solution and most cost-effective investment is the implementation of Cat Spray Stop by Susan Westinghouse.
This program is tailored to re-channel his strong territorial instincts—developed during his two years outside—into acceptable, indoor behaviors.
The “Touch and Taste” parts of the guide focus on high-value environmental enrichment (like vertical space, cat trees, and puzzle feeders) to fulfill his territorial needs in a non-spraying way.
You need to provide better, more secure ways for him to communicate and feel safe than marking your furniture.
By consistently applying these structured techniques, you chip away at the ingrained habit, making the need for diapers obsolete and allowing him to enjoy a stress-free life for the next thirteen years.
About The Author
