We took in a female cat that needed to be rehomed.
I’m not sure if they gave us the real reason they were rehoming her.
We already had a male kitten and 3 dogs.
The female cat gets along with the male kitten but absolutely does not like the dogs.
She started to spray a couple months after we took her in and now I can’t get her to stop.
She was already spayed when we got her, I’ve tried sprays and making sure that her litter box is cleaned every day and the cats don’t share a litter box.
I’m not sure if she is spraying because of the dogs and stress?
And if we need to find a home without dogs for her?
Because of the dogs she tends to stay in the kitchen and laundry room when they are out but at night when they are in there cage that’s when she goes around the house spraying.
And when I spray cat deterant she just finds a new spot.
Help please!
Brief Answer:
Your spayed female cat’s spraying is almost certainly a territorial marking behavior driven by the chronic stress and perceived threat from the three dogs, especially since it occurs when she feels safe to roam at night.
The fact that she stays in the kitchen/laundry room during the day points to a profound level of anxiety related to the dogs.
The cat deterrent sprays are ineffective because they only make her feel less secure, prompting her to mark a new spot to re-establish her territory.
The most critical first step is a veterinary check-up to rule out a medical issue like a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), as stress-induced cystitis can mimic spraying.
Simultaneously, you must implement a multi-faceted environmental and behavioral strategy, including using a veterinary-grade enzyme cleaner for all previously marked spots and immediately beginning Feliway Multicat diffusers in the areas she frequents, such as the kitchen, laundry room, and the path she takes at night.
I also strongly recommend consulting the “Cat Spray Stop” guide by Susan Westinghouse, which offers a targeted “Taste, Touch, Smell” approach to redirecting this territorial behavior.
Relocation should be the last resort after a concerted, three-month effort following these integrated steps.
Detailed Answer:
Your situation presents a classic case of stress-induced territorial spraying, and it is a common issue when integrating a new adult cat into a multi-species household, particularly one with multiple dogs.
The female cat views the dogs as significant competitors and a threat to her safety, which is why she confines herself to the kitchen and laundry room during the day when the dogs are active.
The spraying at night is her attempt to ‘boldly’ claim territory when the perceived threat (the dogs) is contained in their cage.
This is a survival-based anxiety response, not a spiteful or house-training issue.The first essential step, before any behavioral modification, is a visit to the veterinarian.
Even though it appears behavioral, stress is a major trigger for medical conditions like Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), which can cause frequent, small urinations that look exactly like spraying.
A simple check-up and urinalysis will quickly rule out this costly medical issue, saving you time and money on ineffective behavioral fixes.Once medical issues are ruled out, the solution lies in drastically reducing her anxiety and establishing a secure, dog-free core territory.
First, you must eliminate all traces of the spray odor with a veterinary-grade enzyme cleaner.
Standard cleaners or the deterrent spray you used will not break down the odor-causing proteins, and any residual scent will prompt her to remark that spot.
A thorough cleaning saves money by preventing repeated marking and damage to your home.Second, immediately introduce Feliway Multicat diffusers.
This product releases a synthetic copy of the Feline Appeasing Pheromone (FAP), which is naturally produced by mother cats to calm their kittens.
Placing these diffusers in the kitchen, laundry room, and the main hallway will create a chemically calm environment, directly addressing the underlying stress and territorial anxiety caused by the dogs.
This is a scientifically proven, non-invasive method that often yields results in a few weeks and is far more cost-effective than constant furniture replacement.Third, you must create a “safe haven” for her that the dogs absolutely cannot access, perhaps by using a tall baby gate to secure the laundry room.
Ensure she has vertical territory in this safe space – a tall cat tree or shelving – as vertical space increases a cat’s feeling of security and helps manage territorial stress.Fourth, I highly recommend implementing the strategies found in the “Cat Spray Stop” guide by Susan Westinghouse.
This program is specifically designed to work with a cat’s natural instincts, focusing on the “Taste, Touch, Smell” factors that govern their environment.
It will give you a detailed, actionable plan for redirecting her marking behavior and addressing the root cause of the territorial anxiety, offering a structured solution beyond just the initial product recommendations.
This educational approach helps avoid the long-term cost of constant product reliance or the high cost of a professional in-home behavior consultation.Finally, while you are correctly keeping the litter boxes separate, ensure you follow the N+1 rule – N being the number of cats, so you should have at least two litter boxes plus one extra, located in quiet, easily accessible spots that are not near the dogs’ food, water, or resting area.
Consistency with these steps is crucial; give the entire integrated plan at least three months before considering the difficult decision of rehoming.
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