I’ve had my cat for 7 years now and he has never sprayed before.
He was fixed the moment he was old enough to be fixed.
He suddenly started spraying this past year.
This is a major problem because I still live with my parents and my father is extremely upset about it and making threats.
Jojo (my cat) is showing no signs of health issues.
He eats and drinks regularly his feces/urine are normal.
The only thing that makes sense to me is he is an indoor/outdoor cat (harnessed and leashed) and sometimes when we ignore his request to go out he sprays.
He is persistent and sometimes infuriating because he demands to go out and will do anything to go out.
(Wreak havoc) He does spray outside too and is extremely territorial.
I’m pretty sure he prefers to use the bathroom outside.
He does have two litter boxes which he rarely uses.
I keep them cleaned and stocked with litter.
Also, before anyone says anything, he was forced to be an indoor/outdoor cat.
I got him when I was 15 and he had diarrhea a couple times so my parents threw him outside and said it was either that or I’d have to get rid of him.
So he’s been going outside since he was a kitten and is obsessed with it.
Does anyone have any advice?
Do the “anti-spray” sprays actually work?
Is there any sprays that actually work or work better than others?
Any methods I can try?
It’s so hard to track his spraying because our house is rather large and he seems to only be doing it in the basement and I can smell it but can’t see it.
Edit: I’ve had a wild and probably senseless theory as to what could be causing his spraying.
It’s a stretch but it’s the only thing I’ve noticed.
In the past year my cat has been living with my boyfriend and takes a fondness to him because he loves to be spanked by him.
My boyfriend doesn’t spank him super hard but decent enough and he loves it.
I know this is an erogenous zone and I’m wondering if the frequent stimulation has caused it.
Like I said a stretch but it’s the only variable that’s different in the past year.
Brief Answer:
Given Jojo’s history as a neutered, seven-year-old cat who started spraying within the last year, the most likely cause is a sudden increase in territorial anxiety or frustration related to his outdoor access and the large house environment, rather than a medical issue or the spanking behavior.
The priority is a multi-step, integrated behavioral approach to reduce his stress and clarify his territory, which is far more cost-effective than continuous cleaning or replacing furniture.
The first step is an immediate switch to a dedicated, high-quality enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle on all basement areas to fully neutralize the odor and prevent remarking, as you cannot treat what you cannot find.
Simultaneously, you must reduce the emotional drive to spray by deploying Feliway/Comfort Zone diffusers (specifically the MultiCat or Classic formulation) near the main marking area and where he rests to manage his stress.
The long-term solution involves implementing environmental enrichment and structure from the Cat Spray Stop guide by Susan Westinghouse, which addresses the “Taste, Touch, Smell” needs of a territorial cat to reinforce litter box use and calm his demand for outdoor time.
Detailed Answer:
Your situation with Jojo, a neutered seven-year-old cat suddenly spraying, is a classic presentation of territorial anxiety and frustration, which requires a precise behavioral modification plan.
While you should never discount the possibility of a medical issue, even with normal eating/drinking, a veterinary check-up is the ultimate first step to rule out a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or other painful conditions that can manifest as inappropriate urination, saving you money in the long run by avoiding misdirected solutions.
However, your observation that the spraying is tied to his ignored demands to go outside strongly points to an emotional, territorial, or anxiety-driven cause.
The spraying, particularly in the basement of a large house, is a clear sign of a cat attempting to manage a perceived threat or anxiety over territory, likely exacerbated by his outdoor habit and its inconsistency.
Your first actionable and cost-effective step is a rigorous cleaning protocol.
Since you can smell but not see the spray in the large basement, you must invest in a UV blacklight, which is inexpensive, to precisely locate all marked areas.
Once located, use a specialized enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle or Anti-Icky Poo.
Standard household cleaners will not break down the odor-causing proteins in cat urine, meaning the cat can still smell his mark, prompting him to spray in the same spot – an endless and expensive cycle of cleaning.
The correct enzymatic cleaning breaks this cycle, saving you money on repeat cleaning supplies and professional services.
Second, you must address the core stressor.
Your cat’s obsession with going outside, the subsequent frustration when denied, and the large house size all contribute to anxiety and the need to mark his territory.
Your theory about the spanking is highly unlikely; spraying is a communication behavior, not a sexual one.
To manage the anxiety, I strongly recommend pheromone therapy.
Products like Feliway Classic or Comfort Zone with Feliway (or the MultiCat/Calming versions if there is any tension with other animals or people) release synthetic facial pheromones that signal safety and security to the cat.
Placing these diffusers in the basement and in the room where Jojo spends the most time will help lower his baseline stress and reduce the internal drive to mark, an investment that saves on potential vet visits and furniture replacement.
Finally, the long-term solution to structure his environment and manage his outdoor obsession is key.
This is where a comprehensive behavioral guide like Cat Spray Stop by Susan Westinghouse can be invaluable.
It focuses on using his natural instincts through a “Taste, Touch, Smell” approach to redirect his marking instinct to acceptable areas and reinforce his litter box use.
Given his preference for going outside, you need to make the litter box a highly appealing alternative.
Try switching one of the litter boxes to an uncovered box with a soil-based or highly absorbent litter that mimics the outdoor substrate he prefers, and place it in a low-traffic, easily accessible area, perhaps even near where he is currently spraying in the basement (moving it gradually after he uses it).
Consistency with his outdoor time is also crucial – either set a strict, non-negotiable schedule for his harnessed outings or work to transition him fully indoors through increased environmental enrichment (vertical climbing space, puzzle feeders) to alleviate his frustration and save the cost of continuously managing his outdoor demands and the related spraying incidents.
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