Hello!
I recently adopted a stray kitten.
She was outside meowing and had frostbite on her paws.
We took her in.
She has her shots and has her spay scheduled but it’s not until 2 weeks.
She has been in heat since 3 weeks ago.
Constant meowing, showing me herself.
Just now she started to spray on the couch.
I have her in our spare bedroom currently.
Unsure with what to do.
She has 2 litter boxes, lots of toys, food and water, and sometimes I’ll give her cat nip to calm down from the meowing.
I feel really bad keeping her locked in the room but I’m not sure what to do when we are gone for work.
I would love for her to be out and do her thing but I can’t have her spraying on the couch.
Is there anything I can do in the meantime?
Are diapers a thing for cats?
Do they work?
She is strictly inside.
She does try to run out but always stop her.
Thanks in advance!
Brief Answer:
Your new kitten is exhibiting classic, intense hormonal behavior: constant vocalization and now spraying on the couch.
The spraying is a powerful, hormone-driven communication directly related to her being in heat, and it will likely continue until she is spayed.
The urgency of her situation requires an immediate focus on two areas: medical intervention and strict, temporary containment.
You must contact your veterinarian immediately and request an emergency or “in-heat” spay, explaining the spraying and the potential for a behavioral habit to form.
Although there may be a small extra charge, it is the only guaranteed, cost-effective solution to permanently stop the spraying and meowing, saving you immense stress and furniture costs.
In the meantime, you are right to keep her strictly contained in the spare room.
Use enzyme-based cleaner on the couch immediately and consider a temporary, secure barrier or crate for when you are away at work to prevent her from spraying while confined.
Detailed Answer:
Your cat’s behavior is entirely driven by biology.
When an intact female cat goes into heat, she is intensely motivated to advertise her availability to males.
The constant meowing is a mating call, and the spraying, especially on high-value items like the couch, is used to deposit strong, pungent hormonal scent markers.
This is a temporary, yet extremely powerful, physiological state, and no amount of toys, catnip, or training will override the hormonal imperative.
1.
Prioritize the Emergency Spay (The Guaranteed Solution)
You must treat this as a medical emergency for behavioral reasons.
Call your vet and emphasize that your kitten is spraying, as this is destructive and could become an ingrained habit even after the hormones are gone.
Ask if they can fit her in sooner, explaining that the risk of permanent spraying behavior and the destruction of property necessitates an earlier appointment.
The two-week wait is simply too long in her current highly aroused state.
An earlier spay is the single most important, cost-effective measure you can take, preventing further damage and ending the hormonal distress for the kitten.
2.
Immediate Containment and Cleaning
Since you are at work during the day, your current spare room containment is correct.
To protect the room, ensure you have an enzyme-based cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo) to thoroughly clean the couch and any other areas she has sprayed.
Do not use household cleaners, as they only mask the odor, leaving behind the protein marker that encourages remarking.
For the spare room, you can temporarily cover porous or vertical surfaces she might target with waterproof sheets or plastic tarps.
While diapers are an option for cats, they are bulky, often uncomfortable, and can be easily slipped off or soaked through.
They are not a practical long-term solution and are primarily used to contain urine in sick or elderly cats, not as a behavioral deterrent.
Focus instead on making her spare room environment low-stress.
3.
Stress Management Until Spay
You should add a Feliway Classic diffuser to the spare room.
While this will not stop the meowing or the spraying caused by the heat, it will lower her general anxiety level, which is high due to the frostbite trauma, being adopted, being in a new environment, and being confined while in heat.
This may marginally reduce the intensity of her frantic behavior.
Ensure her two litter boxes are in low-traffic areas and not right next to her food/water.
After she is successfully spayed, the meowing and spraying will cease as the hormonal drive is removed, and you can begin a gradual, safe introduction to the rest of the home.
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