4 month old kitten spraying

Hi All :-)

I'm hoping someone can help! I've posted before about 2 male kittens I rescued who weren't getting on with my other 2 female cats, they've now FINALLY reached an equilibrium, they don't like each other much but will at least tolerate one another now :-D

I've called in to the vets because the kittens are now 4 months old and one, Bruce, has started showing  dominant behaviour to the other, Ginge. He's been biting on the back of Ginge's neck and tried to hump him, for lack of better words! I am aware this is Bruce trying to be the dominate one but someone, I'm assuming Bruce, has started spraying the litter box (it's a covered one so you can see the spray marks). They suggested I bring them in just to see if they can be spayed early but I have a couple of questions I was hoping one of you lovely people could help me with....

Is this kinda behaviour an indication that it's 'that time'? The vets can't really answer that until I bring them in.

As it's coming up to bonfire night (I'm in the UK and there's lots of fireworks! And lots of horrible individuals who think cats are the perfect target for rockets!!) I've been keeping the older 2 cats in at night, the kittens don't go out, but I'm concerned that if he is spraying that my older female cats will start finding somewhere else to do their business. I've only noticed the spray today but wondered what the chances are of them not wanting to go in it now, so I can be sure to be on high alert when I come down in the mornings!

Thank you in advance

x

You should have more litterboxes---the ideal number is one per cat plus one extra. As some of your cats go outside, you may be able to get away with fewer. . .but you really should have at least 2. That might help with whatever territorial things they have going on with the boxes.

And, yes, some cats do mature sexually as early as 4 months. It's more common for females but some males too. I would insist on having them neutered as soon as possible (only females are spayed ).

Now, "peeing high" is not necessarily the same as spraying (which is usually done in a lot of different areas for purposes of marking territory), and females are just as capable of spraying/peeing high as males are. But since you do have 2 young males who are at prime age for feeling their oats, it probably is one of them practicing for later territory marking :tongue2:.

Thanks Willowy :-)

I never knew that! Will definitely get another box, so thank you :-) like I said my older 2 go out so it's never really been an issue for the boys as it's a big box... But obviously not so good now they're getting older!

It was on the outside of the box, just near the entrance, that's why I automatically thought Bruce and his very recent dominance thing. Is a female as likely to do it up the outside of the box?

x