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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cat sprayed!!!!

18 replies

ladybird69 · 05/07/2014 21:50

I'm in shock! My sweet 6 yr old boy has just sprayed up my leg!!! Why would he do this to me? He was castrated as a baby but he still sprays now and again but why would he spray on me!? When I told him off he didn't move just sat looking at me with soppy eyes!!! Wish cats could talk. Any ideas

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Fluffycloudland77 · 05/07/2014 22:09

Nope, that's a new one on me.

Mine chooses the bed and the dining area wall as preferred spots.

On the upside, if any cats come into the house they'll know you belong to him.

cozietoesie · 05/07/2014 22:21

Never experienced that one before. Is he the only cat in the house?

Original poster

ladybird69 · 05/07/2014 22:50

Haha I've been cat stamped!!!
I've had cats all my life all my family have cats and never ever heard of it before. He is the only one that has ever sprayed but yes usually furniture doorways etc!!!
He's not the only cat I've got 17 yr old and 13 yr old girls but he's been brought up with them, so no trouble there! He has been bringing me lots of gifts recently (little beggar) but this was totally out of the blue!
I'm gonna get a cork for him

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Fluffycloudland77 · 05/07/2014 22:57

Or a cat nappy. They have a hole for the tale to go through.

True story.

cozietoesie · 05/07/2014 22:59

Actually, there might just be some bottled up trouble there. Spraying usually means a tension or protest of some sort and there's nothing to say that he isn't fed up with them - and spraying on you may be a means of protesting in such a way that you can't ignore it. (Or saying 'She's mine so Yah Boo Sucks' ! )

Do they all go outside?

Original poster

ladybird69 · 06/07/2014 03:34

Fluffy cat nappy or noose?!!!
Seriously pee'd off with him ATM

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Original poster

ladybird69 · 06/07/2014 03:39

COZIE they all have total freedom indoors and out! They all sleep in my bed, he sleeps next to me, girls sleep at my feet. He has no competition at all, and never ever done this before. Praying its a one off in his behaviour. My mum says he needs putting in his place! But it's only been spraying on furniture etc before now.

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cozietoesie · 06/07/2014 07:06

In my own experience, ladybird, it's not a matter of whether they have freedom, fun, closeness whatever. Just that some cats deep down don't like certain others - and it doesn't need to be a new introduction either. It can be like a boiling over after years of gentle simmering. (Hence his occasional spraying on the furniture - there's some reason for that, I think. Cats usually do that 'for cause' to demonstrate their feelings about something.)

As to what you do in your situation? I'm a bit flummoxed at the moment - especially you being sprayed - but I'll mull it over.

By the way - what are their domestic arrangements eg for food, water, litter trays etc? Do they closely share all those?

cozietoesie · 06/07/2014 07:10

PS - and how do the girls react to him? Could you keep an eye on them today and see?

Lonecatwithkitten · 06/07/2014 08:32

Often cat tension is beyond what we as mere humans can perceive as their social interactions are much, much more complex than ours are. I agree with cozie whilst you can't appreciate any tension spraying strongly suggests that there is one somewhere.
I would start with your facilities litter trays, water bowls and food bowls. You need to ensure you have one per cat and then a spare. Getting a Feliway plug in would also be helpful.
You will usually never identify the problem, but you can fix it.

cozietoesie · 06/07/2014 09:31

This may be seriously out of left field but have you had your two girls health checked at the vets recently? They're both older cats and if one of them wasn't so well (you might not be able to tell but another cat probably could) then the balance between the cats might be changing and he could be seizing the opportunity to make his mark. (In more ways than one!)

Just a stray thought.

Original poster

ladybird69 · 07/07/2014 16:50

COZIE I think you may have the answer!!!! They all get on really really well and with dog too, but about 6 weeks ago I had to have an old man PTS and for the last few months of his life I was practically carrying him around 24/7 as he had dementia and was blind maybe now my little boy is trying to assert his place as the male and top cat in the house?!
I'll pick up some feliway and see if that helps. Re they're feeding and litter arrangements yes they've all got their spots and bowls so def nothing of that to worry about.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 07/07/2014 17:01

Ah social positions have been changed this will be the reason.

cozietoesie · 07/07/2014 17:19

Ah - that's making more sense then. Just clean up properly and keep your fingers crossed that they'll work out a new regime quickly.

Best of luck.

VeganCow · 07/07/2014 18:30

You could try him on cystophan capsules sprinled on his food, it is good for the bladder but also contains a calmer, also buy a Feliway plug in.

Original poster

ladybird69 · 08/07/2014 05:05

Thanks for all of your help. Talking it thru with you it's kinda obvious eh. I will watch his behaviour pick up feli ways plug in and other things to help him. Perhaps he's feeling overwhelmed by his new position!
I'll let you know how we get on

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cozietoesie · 08/07/2014 08:01

All the best with it although it rather sounds as if the girls are hanging tough so you may have a 'difficult' few weeks (spraying-wise.)

Interested to know how things pan out.

Original poster

ladybird69 · 08/07/2014 19:53

Yes COZIE tho I'm def not impressed with his thinking it's ok to spray me!!! Urgh

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