Cat spraying problem! HELP!!!

[MJA]

I have several cats at home. Two of them, within the past few years, have started spraying everywhere...walls, kitchen, windows, clothes, etc. We first thought that it was because of how many cats we have but recently realized that it started happening after my grandmother moved away for a year. She's been back about a year now but it's been 2 years now that the spraying has been going on. We've been trying different things like the Zero Odor to help with the smell and have been trying other things to try to stop the spraying as well. Giving the cats away is not an option though. What do you suggest might help in stopping the spraying?

[Helen]

Firstly -- have you had the cats checked out by your vet?? Urinary infections can cause indiscriminate spraying. Also, several metabolic diseases can cause spraying problems - diseases such as diabetes. All these things can be easily managed with appropriate treatment. If the areas where they pee have remaining odors, they will probably continue to spray there. On walls, you may have to repaint, carpeting - you have to lift and clean the pad underneath to remove all odors. But first make sure they are healthy.

[MJA]

The cats are pretty healthy and have been seen by a vet. They are indoor cats too. Are there any symptoms for diabetes? We'll take the 2 cats in question to get checked for UTI but after 2 years would that really be the reason? Also, at this point I don't think repainting or changing the carpet would help until we get the spraying to stop. Thanks for your response.

[April Downing]

Hi, I have the same horrible problem with my two male cats. They have been neutered, taken to the vet to make sure nothing is wrong with them. I have replaced the carpet, repainted the walls to no avail. I also use Feliway. It is a spray that you use on the walls, windows, where ever your cats spray. It is expensive for such a small container but I believe it is starting to slow down the spraying. I really have to keep on top of it and spray it as directed. I hope this will end the misery of having so many things in my home destroyed. Give it a try. You never can tell!! I also think that zero odor does help eliminate the smell!!

[MJA]

We tried the Feliway plug in but only for about a month. How long have you been trying it for now? Are you referring to the spray? Do you spray it where they spray? We didn't really like the Zero Odor because it leaves a Clorox-type of smell. We have to use a lot of it and maybe that's why. We still need to try the Anti-Icky-Poo which is a product similar to what Zero Odor does. You said it's starting to slow down the spraying. How long did it take to notice the change? Thanks for the suggestions.

[April Downing]

I just bought this spray about a week ago. It's called Comfort Zone Spray with Feliway. I bought it from my local Petco. It sure was expensive but I will do about anything right now to get my two male cats from spraying all over the place. For about a week now everday I spray a little in places that I know they walk past and spray. I have seen my cats now...smell then walk away...Knowing them they probably just walk away and go spray somewhere else but I am trying to keep an eye on that as well. Maybe with alot of persistance this new spray will stop it for good. Good luck, pick some up and give it a try. You never can tell!!!

[Cynthia]

Here is a file the behaviorists posted earlier, perhaps this will help: