"Lucky Day" is looking for a home!  NO!! he is not a sprayer! He is so loving. Read about him!

Boy Cats Aren't the Bad Guys!

The following information and advice will hopefully help people get over their fears about adopting a male cat or kitten.  I am not a professional cat behaviorist, but I have learned a lot and know the reasons why a boy cat begins to spray.  By the way, girl cats can spray too!  

Cat's spray to mark their territory. Cats that are outdoors (strays and ferals) this is their way to warn off others that this is their space. Spraying is done on vertical places, examples: walls, furniture sides, doors, and they are usually shaking their tail like a rattle snake.  I

Conrad Strays will never adopt out a cat if we know he/she is a sprayer, without full disclosure!

How to prevent pet cats from spraying

-Neuter boy cats between 4-6 months old if possible, before they reach sexual maturity.

-Keep cats indoors only!  If you allow them to roam unsupervised outdoors, you are asking for trouble.  Besides them wanting to mark their territory if they see or smell other cats, please read about other outdoor deadly hazards.

-Be careful  introducing a new cat to your existing cat(s).  You need to remember your original cat(s) have established their rank/territory and claimed you all to themselves.  You need to introduce a new cat family member gradually (read acclimating a new cat, works great with adding an additional cat) and you need to make sure your original kitties don't feel left out or abandoned.  So many people get rid of their original cat because it didn't get along with their new cat.  Makes no sense.

-There is a limit or threshold to a cat family.  When there gets to be too many, you have to expect the spraying behaviors to start.  The number of cats in a family to hit the threshold, depends on each family.

-Cats may spray if they see a neighbor cat or stray while looking out the window.

Always remember not to confuse spraying with a possible bladder/kidney infection.  Please read under the heading: Urinating.

-You should always rule out a infection before you assume your cat is spraying!  Never delay on getting your cat looked at by a Veterinarian!

Living with a Sprayer

Whether you helped to create this behavior or not, you can most of the time fix or calm down the behavior.  You will need to talk to your Veterinarian about your cat's particular situation.  

Some things they may suggest:

-Feliway spray or plug in: a "happy, non threatening" synthetic cheek hormone that lets cats know "hey, things are alright.  I have no threatening competitition"

-Medications.  Their are several medications that will calm a cat down from their anxiety.  It may or may not be a long term prescription.

Please don't give up on your cat!

Try seeking medical advice.

If the original advice doesn't work.  Try, try again.  It may take a few suggestions or opinions to find out what works for your cat.

Clean the urine!  There are many products on the market today.  One of the best and over the counter cleaner/neutralizer is called 

"Nature's Miracle for cats.