Hello everyone!
Any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated 🙂
We cannot get our adopted kitty to stop spraying territorially.
She does it virtually every time we have guests over or when she sees an animal outside the window.
We live in a 1st floor apt and there’s critters that pass by windows all the time.
Today she saw a duck and sprayed all over the couch.
I’m also really worried about having guests over now and it’s an unavoidable part of our lives as my partner & I often have family visit from out of town.
YES, we have gone to the vet MUTLIPLE TIMES and she does not have anything wrong with her medically.
She uses her litterbox daily.
We adopted her in October 2022 from our close friend who rescued her & her kittens.
Kittens were adopted from the shelter instantly and we fell in love with the momma.
She is 2 years old and spayed.
We have tried EVERYTHING
multiple vet visits (she is healthy)
2nd litterbox in a quiet/ private area (she never touched it)
different litter (also didn’t like that)
play-focused feeding toys (loves those and uses them daily)
calming pheromone diffusers in multiple areas of apt
high-standing cat tree by a window
quality playtime every morning & night
Jackson galaxy’s “stress stopper” drops & “Ur Fine” drops
giving her treats after she uses the litterbox
cleaning the litter box 2x/ day
We love her very much but are feeling insanely frustrated.
Is our only option at this point medication?
🙁 🆘
UPDATE: Vet prescribed Busiprone and we have started putting that in her food.
So far haven’t seen any changes but I’ll keep y’all posted on how it goes with our houseguests this week
Brief Answer:
It is completely understandable that you are frustrated; you have diligently addressed many factors, including the crucial step of a veterinary clearance and starting Buspirone (Busparone).
Since this is purely a stress and territorial issue triggered by outdoor animals and guests, the solution lies in extreme environmental management and the ‘Cat Spray Stop’ principles, which prioritize preventing the triggers from causing anxiety.
Buspirone can take 4-8 weeks to reach full efficacy, so patience is essential, and you should continue its use as prescribed.
Immediate, actionable steps must focus on blocking your cat’s visual access to triggers and creating a secure “safe base” before guests arrive.
Use blackout film or curtains on all windows to eliminate visual access to “critters” – this is the single most critical, cost-effective environmental adjustment for a 1st-floor apartment.
The second key is strictly blocking all physical access to primary marking spots like the couch, especially when guests are imminent, using physical barriers or pet deterrent mats until the medication takes effect.
Detailed Answer:
Your spayed female cat’s spraying is a clear, desperate plea for security, amplified by the stress of being a former rescue mother and the continuous intrusion of her territory by both outdoor animals and visiting humans.
The fact that you have tried so many solutions, including additional litter boxes and pheromones, confirms that this is not a litter box aversion issue but a deep-seated anxiety and territorial conflict.
It is highly beneficial that your vet has prescribed Buspirone, as it is often effective for managing generalized anxiety and marking behaviors.
Be patient, as behavioral medications do not work instantly; give the drug at least four to eight weeks before expecting a consistent change.
The core problem is her inability to cope with the environmental intrusions, and your current environment of a 1st-floor apartment with frequent visitors makes management challenging.
The most effective, immediate, and cost-saving intervention is eliminating the visual trigger entirely.
You must apply blackout film or keep curtains/blinds completely closed on all windows.
If she cannot see the ducks, squirrels, or other “critters,” the primary trigger for spraying is removed.
This simple, low-cost modification will immediately reduce her baseline stress, allowing the Buspirone and pheromones to work more effectively.
Next, you need a proactive strategy for guests.
While they are an unavoidable part of your life, the cat sees them as large, temporary territorial invaders.
Two hours before guests arrive, confine your cat to a single, secure, comfortable “safe room” – a bedroom or office – equipped with all her high-value resources: food puzzle toys, a fresh litter box, water, her favorite bed, and a Feliway diffuser.
Give her high-value treats only in this room when guests are present.
This prevents her from being overwhelmed, saves your couch, and teaches her that guests mean high-value rewards in her safe space.
Blocking access to the couch specifically, perhaps with a clear plastic sheet or a motion-activated deterrent spray when you cannot supervise, will prevent the expensive damage and remarking cycle.
Finally, continue to apply the principles of the Cat Spray Stop guide by Susan Westinghouse, focusing on creating a predictable, enriched environment.
Since you are doing a great job with playtime and puzzle feeders, concentrate on vertical and resting spaces that are not near windows.
The combination of targeted pharmacological relief (Buspirone), pheromonal support, absolute visual trigger elimination, and strict behavioral management during visits is the most powerful and cost-effective strategy to finally eliminate the spraying.
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