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Tinker spraying?

post #1 of 10
11/30/09 at 3:02am
Thread Starter 
I'm really really concerned here.

I noticed the cats started going over to the corner under the tv and 'backing up
' to the wall. This concerned me, but they didn't do anything.

I soon noticed wilbur was shaking his tail like he did when he would spray before I got him fixed. But just like when he was a kitten, he would shake his tail like that, but didn't actually spray.

well i just saw tinker go back to the wall, and stand there for almost a full minute spraying. I didn't catch what she was doing for a LONG time. but once I did it was already dripping down the wall, and got everywhere.

Now both of them keep going to the corner to try covering it up like in the litter box.

I'm VERY concerned about this, and to be honest, this is the problem that would force me to give my cats away. i DO NOT want to do that, but I simply can't have that.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do? I didn't even know female cats sprayed. Their litter is clean and in fact i just put a fresh pile in yesterday after scrubbing it. i have NEVER had either cat go outside the box other than Wilbur's spraying, and I'm really worried.
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post #2 of 10
11/30/09 at 5:17am
Of course girls can spray. It's simply a way of territorial marking and girls can be just (if not more) as territorial as males.

First: Get a good enzyme cleaner for it. There's no chance of there being any left over scent from when Wilbur spraying, is there?

Second: Tinker could have a UTI or something else making her go outside the box.

Third: Figure out what else could have changed. Anything outside - strange cats/animals around? Could you bring home cat scents on your clothing? Any change in cleaners you use around the house? Any changes inside the home/with you that could have made her feel stressed enough that she'd think she needs to reclaim things in such a drastic measure?
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post #3 of 10
11/30/09 at 5:23am
Thread Starter 
Well, I mean I knew she COULD spray, I just thought only males did it.

Enzyme cleaner is already in process lol. learned that here from Wilbur. MAN he sprayed a lot.

Can't be any left over from Wilbur. He's never sprayed in this house. that happened in my last place. he's fixed now and doesn't do it.

Nothing has changed. I'm a BIG TIME creature of habit, and ruts are a good thing for me lol. the only thing that could have changed is, I've been extremely stressed over the last week. but that still shouldn't explain it.
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post #4 of 10
11/30/09 at 5:26am
Any chance she's seen another cat outside?
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post #5 of 10
11/30/09 at 5:52am
Thread Starter 
yup. there's a stray that runs around here. they've both seen it recently. and that's the only other cat they've seen.
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post #6 of 10
11/30/09 at 6:21am
If you REALLY want to clean the spot to an odor free state:

2 cups hydrogen peroxide
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 drops liquid dish soap

Mix and spray or pour on area to saturate. Let sit for 24 hours, blot excess and allow to dry.

In my experience, enzyme cleaners don't always work well. It only makes sense as the enzymes are activated with moisture and just how "fresh and active" could they be after sitting in a bottle on a shelf for months and months? They are also relatively expensive.

The peroxide mix costs a fraction of the enzyme price, and is truly effective as you mix and use when fresh. In fact, I've noted that when pouring on the stained area, you will get a "rush of stench" as the solution goes to work on the odor! This really works!

Good luck.
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post #7 of 10
11/30/09 at 6:30am
The stray cat could very well be the reason they have started this. And your stress could also cause them to feel stress.

Get some feliway plug in diffusers to help reduce stress and territorial feelings.

However I'd bring them in for urine checks just to make sure no one is developing a UTI.
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post #8 of 10
11/30/09 at 8:06am
I would also suggest testing them for a UTI. My Ophelia Rose sprays (not pees - but sprays). When she does spray, often it is caused by a UTI.
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post #9 of 10
11/30/09 at 8:45am
I have a female cat that only sprays when she's in heat. I think it's kind of a way of letting the males know where she is. Too bad for her all of mine are fixed.

If she's not in heat, chances are she has just seen that stray. I would definitely use an enzyme cleaner or the peroxide mixture that was talked about on that spot because cats' sense of smell is much keener than our own so even if you can't smell it she probably can and she will just keep spraying there.

Also, getting her spayed (if she isn't already) may help just like it does with males. But just like with males, if you wait too long the behavior becomes so engrained in them that sometimes spay/neutering will not correct it.
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post #10 of 10
11/30/09 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fastnoc View Post
Can't be any left over from Wilbur. He's never sprayed in this house. that happened in my last place. he's fixed now and doesn't do it.
I didn't know that the tv and any nearby furniture was new, too. I remember you mentioning moving in some thread, but you never said that you replaced a lot of stuff.
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