On Christmas day 6 years ago my neighbor found a little kitten stuck under her fence. She didn't know what to do with him so brought him to me, the crazy cat lady. I wasn't sure of his age, so bottle fed him formula for about a week before switching to a bowl.
I had him neutered when he was about 6 months old.
From the beginning he was extremely clinging and jealous of any attention I showed my other 4 cats.
But it wasn't until Noel turned 3 years old that the real problem began. That is when he started spraying every vertical surface he could reach. It is almost a daily occurrence for about 3 years now.
We've been through all the tests my vet could think of but nothing medically wrong was found. My vet's final advise was to take Noel to a Cat Behaviorist, which I have not been able to find. I did talk with one online once but she wasn't very helpful.
I've tried increasing his play time; dosing him with Jackson Galazy Safe Space and then Stress Stopper; then switched to Pet Wellbeing Calming CARE and then Stress Gold; tried Feliway and ThunderEase diffusers (he just sprays the diffuser), and multiple types of "calming" collars. I put self-groomer brushes on many corners in the house; he sprays those too.
Finally, I had to convert my spare room into a sanctuary for Noel. It is full of cat trees, 2 litter boxes, a water fountain; various boxes and hide outs, 24/7 soothing music and no other cats. I only let him out into the rest of the house for very brief periods each day but must put him back in his room as soon as he starts to act agitated. On a good day I can leave him out with the rest of the family for about an hour at one time before he starts pacing and looking for a place to spray.
He even sprays in his own room by the bedroom door almost daily. I tried putting a litter box as close the to area he sprays as the door will allow but it didn't help. I feed him close to the area he sprays but that hasn't helped. I've blocked off his favorite area to spray with a motion sensor can of air. But now he just sprays on the other side of the door. 🙁
I have tried using different odor eliminators such as Nature's Miracle; Mister Max Inti Icky Poo Odor Remover and now I'm using Jackson Galazy's Stain & Odor Remover.
He doesn't fight with my other cats but there is friction and he obviously does not appreciate sharing his house or his person with them.
I don't know what else to try. My vet will not prescribe a sedative unless Noel is seen by a Cat Behaviorist first. And nothing I have tried has reduced his anxiety.
Hello Wendy,
Thank you for reaching out and I’m sorry to hear about Noel’s chronic urine spraying
Reasons for urine spraying include but not limited to:
1. Medical reasons
2. Cat has not been neutered
3. Reactional behavior – anxiety/distress caused by a conflict between cats either indoors or outdoors.
4. Marking
It's important to find out the trigger for the behavior. I suspect in your case it’s mostly reactional spraying in response to a change in your cat’s environment when Noel turned 3, either social or physical or even both. Reactional urine marking occurs when cats observe a threat within the indoor environment and use marking to reduce the risk of physical conflict and increase their personal safety. It’s the perception of threat that is the underlying problem and the marking behavior is simply a sign of that intense emotional reaction. It’s important to note that when a cat sprays, it increases their self-assurance and it’s also habitual.
A face-to-face behavioral consultation is paramount since the veterinary behaviorist will conduct a thorough consultation, look for stressors and be able to prepare a behavioral and environmental modification programe which will include both pharmacological and pheromonal interventions for your individual cat. You can locate a veterinary behaviorist either at https://www.dacvb.org/search/custom.asp?id=5985 or https://avsab.org/behavior-consultant/category/cat-behavior-consultant/
Hope you and Noel can get the help you need soon
Hi Wendy,
I am happy that the separate room and backyard walks have given Noel time to decompress and build his confidence. Emotional safety and stability are paramount for his overall well-being.
Keep it up – despite the setback with the behaviorist, I’m proud of you for persevering.
Sending love & healing
Melina
Thank you for your recommendation. I finally tried a behaviorist even though she was an hour drive away and very expensive. But she said she couldn't help much unless I brought in all the cats (6 total). THAT couldn't happen. And the anxiety both Noel and I went through each day as I tried to get the pills the behaviorist prescribed into him made me abandon this option.
For now, I am taking Noel on supervised "walkabouts" in the backyard each day. Additionally, he and his brother have their own room separate from the other cats. It seems to be helping his confidence. He still sprays in his room but it seems to be lessening. I am praying one day we will be beyond this issue. Thanks again for you recommendation and all prayers for a resolution are appreciated.
I am having much of the same issues as Wendy except that we have noticed that Izzy, age 8, is being territorial with another male we have. We have 7 cats and all were bottle fed by us. Izzy was the 2nd one. TigTig, who he's defensive with came from another litter a few years later. Both of them are spraying everywhere and we have lost so much furniture, carpet and more. Right now my husband is taking up the basement carpet and repainting. Then we have to work upstairs next. They will both spray on anything. For example, yesterday, Izzy was scratching on his incline post and then sprayed all over it. We had been using a spray bottle on them but I've read that's not good.
Our vet did mention putting both of them on medications but Izzy had a bout with urinary crystals in 2018 so we fear his system processing any medication. And we don't want to try a lot of different ones since the money we spend now on their food, litter, toys and vet care is too much. Not to mention household repairs and furniture. We have tried all the modifications using Feliway Optimum. They all have plenty of area and places to scratch, houses to play in, places to hide. We have used all the different enzyme bacterial sprays to remove the smell but after so many times, it just doesn't get rid of it all.
I looked at both links you shared with Wendy and only one of them had a result in our state for behaviorist and then it's still a 2 hour drive. I don't know what to do but I want my house back and to make it smell nice but love our kitties too. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you in advance
Janet
Hi Janet,
I am sorry to hear you are having similar issues as Wendy.
TigTig (cool name) and Izzy may be experiencing a similar intense emotional reaction as Wendy’s cat. The feeling of safety and stability in their surroundings is paramount for the cats' survival; otherwise, it will manifest as an imbalance in their body.
Here is another link to Animal Behavior Consultants in the United States: https://iaabc.org/en/certs/members .
If you still can’t find a behaviorist in your area (preferably one that offers face-to-face consultation), try an Animal communicator who can help you remotely and holistically.
Sending you all Love & Healing
Melina