Do all male cats mark territory?

The majority of males will mark, but not all.  Jueveniles usually won't.  But, it's not just males that mark, it's females, too.  Cleaning the carpets, shampooing them, really doesn't work.  You have to use some really good stuff.  Even then, depending on how ingrained the marking is, they may still be able to smell it and go right back to it.  And, if they can't smell it, they'll just remark it!  The only way to stop them is to have them fixed, all of them.  Females too!!  Because a neutered male is still a male and will smell females going into heat. 

 

You said most of them came from homes where they were only pets?  It may be anxiety, too.  They aren't used to sharing and so they are marking to establish a territory for themselves and to aleviate stress.

 

Also, if you fixed them after they started the marking... It may have been too late. Not all stop marking if they were fixed after they started. 

 

I suggest you use the products others will suggest to clean and then get some Feliway and Calming Collars.  As for getting another cat when the landlord is already on your case about the smell.... That's your call.  I wouldn't until you have the smell under control and the marking solved.  But that is just me. 

i don't think you can generalize and say that the majority of males will mark. I've only had two of my own male cats, both fixed at a young age, and neither marked. I've also fostered many male cats over the years, some fixed as kitens, others who were neutered until they were several years old. Only one of them marked. No issues at all with the others.

I've had 5 cats since moving out on my own. Marley and Willie moved out with me, Marley was a spayed female, Willie an unaltered male. Then I got Ruben from the shelter. Both boys remained unaltered until 1.5 and 2.5 years old. Neither ever marked. Now I have Fin and Winn. I found Fin almost three years ago, he was around a year or two and previously altered. Winn is a female, 2 years old next summer. Fin has also never marked. Maybe I just got lucky.

That's where it is then, they are stressed out from the living with new animals.  They are not used to it and marking out of anxiety and need to have their own "space"... How many do you have if you don't mind my asking?  I would not get another one at this point. You need to address the problems you have now.  They aren't exactly living harmoniously.  Until they are used to and calm with eachother, your problem isn't going to go away.  Does each cat have their own "area", a place they hang out most of the time?  If not, help each establish their own private spot that they can think of as theirs.  Put their favorite toys, beds, whatever there and show them that it's theirs.  Cats are territorial and need to feel they have their own space.  Confusion and competition with other animals causes this problem.  Fixing doesn't make it so they can't spray or even won't spray.  Fixing only desexes them. 

 

Dogs are a different species.  He shouldn't start marking, too.  Cats do make their own rules, you're right.  It's just a matter of learning what they are for people!
 

 

 

I think 'most' is quite incorrect. None of my neutered males have ever sprayed, and I have entire girls around them (breeder), nor have my friends males sprayed.
 

 

I think it depends on what's going on around the cat. Both my females and males have sprayed one time or another. Usually it is because something has upset them a lot. 

Valentine, are you talking about regular peeing outside the box, or spraying?

If it's spraying, I'm not sure what will help, but if it's just regular peeing you might want to take them to see the vet to make sure there's no urinary tract infection going on.

I know you said it's been going on for years (I assume on and off) but it's worth a shot.

Nor have mine... But I have heard from many breeders that a lot of times if they start spraying before neutering, they don't always stop so neuter them BEFORE they start.  My fixed girl, Paige, sprayed when she was upset about me bringing in a pregnant kitty to help with her kittens.  That is the only time I had a sprayer.  But, the majority of males UNneutered will spray.  That is an accurate statement.  Breeder or not...
 

 

Walentine, where did your family got your cats from?

 

I agree with the others. SO much spraying, either it is spray or pissing to mark revire, is NOT the common. Not in healthy, neutered cats.

Some accident here and there, esp if there is a good reason, sure.

Some one may do it more than most. Sure. may happen. Cats are individuals.

 

What Im thinking on, you being a family in the same region, perhaps get your cats from the same source?

Say, some back yard breader who you know and is nice and friendly fellow.

Or you are sawing poor kittens from some farm nearby, so they dont risk to be killed off?

 

You perhaps do get these cats from the same strain. A very high spraying strain.

 

A reputable breeder, or cats with good genetical recombination, wouldnt have it so.

 

But without good genetic recombination or even with inbreeding, you can easly get such strains..

 

What do you say about it?

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

ps. for cleaning, there are some good home remedies. Both which liquid soap to use, and solutions of winegar are very good.  Combined, it get good results. There may be others remedies too.

But nowadays there are also several different biological enzyme spray. These are best. Very efficient they says.         Or - combination of all these.    :)

I currently have 4 male cats and a male dog and NONE of them mark nor have they ever marked.  My oldest male cat is 15.

I don't think more males than females mark, if neutered young enough. It's purely an individual cat thing. Not knowing the circumstances of the kitties in your example, I can't make a good guess as to why they urinated inappropriately. Males can be more sensitive than females, so maybe that would account for the disparity. Did they spray (backing up to vertical surfaces) or just pee on things? Although they seem identical to us humans, to cats there's a big difference between vertical spraying and horizontal peeing., and so the causes for each can be very different.