Spraying: how to stop a semi-feral cat, that you bring inside, from marking

sandbar947

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Messages
3
Purraise
0
I am going to be bringing Puzzle, a 4.5 y/o semi-feral female, spayed cat inside to live with me. I met her when she was approx 3-4 months old, she took up residence on my front porch, and she lets me handle her, but would freak out when I tried to bring her inside. My recent move to a townhouse has prompted me to seriously consider bringing her with me as an indoor only cat. I live in a community with a homeowners association, so she must be an indoor only cat. I have spoken to my veterinarian, and he is prepared to vet her prior to my bringing her to her new home when I do this; he says there is a 50-50 chance she will adapt, but he does feel she would have a better/longer/safer life as an indoor cat, so he is being most supportive of this. My beloved male cat, who was 18+ years old, passed away a few months ago, so Puzzle would be the only pet in the house, and I am retired and live alone, so it would just be the two of us. Which brings me to my question: Puzzle was spayed at a very young age (TNR'd), but she does spray/mark, as do the other cats in the colony. I understand that this is how they communicate. However, I am worried that she will spray once I bring her inside. Any thoughts or suggestions on how I can prevent this from occurring? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

FYI: While I moved several months ago, I still go back to my old neighborhood and feed the colony, and Puzzle is always there waiting for me....   
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,095
Purraise
10,803
Location
Sweden
I dont know of methods to STOP spraying...  Good if someone knows and tells....  :)

But if it is their way of communiction, some sort of group thing, it should diminish with time.

Have a couple of good enzyme, biological cleaners.  And also the more classical  winegar spirit and soap...

Work with her feeling secure and safe, especielly in transition period, it should help some.

A Feliway diffuser,  relaxing soft music on...   Her own safe place.

Are you sure she dont want cat company?  If she wants, perhaps safest with a friendly male neuter.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
I can almost assure you that once you bring Puzzle inside, she will not spray. Usually, the cats, even neutered/spayed, in an outdoor colony WILL spray. It is their natural way of talking to each other and making friends (introductions) as well as marking what is theirs or not. Puzzle, since she would be an only cat indoors, would have no reason to spray. I would recommend that you keep her confined to a very small room, bathroom, or even a large dog crate until such time as she is using the litter box regularly and more importantly, is completely settled in and feeling safe/comfortable in her new home. This realistically should be for at least a couple of weeks, this confinement. Then you would only allow her out to inspect her new surroundings under supervision. If you do this in stages with her, I can positively say that you should not have a problem. IF she is having "accidents" and not spraying, then she would need a vet for a urinary tract checkup. Usually cats only spray if they are threatened, feeling unsafe, stressed out or unaltered. If you take things very slowly with Puzzle and don't allow her too much space too fast, then you won't have a problem. How wonderful of you to take her in. That is one lucky kitty :heart3: :clap::clap::clap:
 
Last edited:
Top