How can I "sprayproof" my cat shelter? (Garage)

I let some strays use my garage for the winter. It's an unfinished garage so the walls still have the studs showing. The problem is I've caught some of the cats spraying on the walls even tho they are fixed cats they still do it for some reason. I don't want the urine to build up and I want the garage to be a sanitary and healthy environment for them.

So basically I want to put some boarding or paneling or something along the walls that will make it easy to clean anytime the cats spray. I guess it would have to be some kind of waterproof panels where urine can be wiped off with ease. If I just put up plywood the urine would just soak in and I would have no way to clean it. It's kind of urgent because I don't want the spraying to continue with no way to clean it

Any ideas on how to make my garage easily cleanable and "sprayproof"?

I really do not know of anything that will still not stink.  You can still use good enyzmatic products and see if they work.

Yet you really need to get the stray cats spayed and neutered.  By providing them with shelter and food you are keeping them strong and able to reproduce.  Before you know it kittens will be born and you will be over run with cats.  Please consider doing TNR on the cats.  You might want to call a rescue group in your area and see if they can help.  The cats are spraying to mark their territory.  The toms may fight soon for the female as they will all want to mate. 

It is kind of you to give them shelter, but it would be great if you could get them all fixed.

They are fixed already. I wrote that in my post. But for what ever reason they still spray! I don't get why but they spray like crazy and they were fixed years ago. I just want the shelter to be easily cleaned I understand there isnt really much u can do about smell.

kcpo24 said:

They are fixed already. I wrote that in my post. But for what ever reason they still spray! I don't get why but they spray like crazy and they were fixed years ago. I just want the shelter to be easily cleaned I understand there isnt really much u can do about smell.

Click to expand...

If the smell is a strong smell then are you certain it is your cats doing the spraying?  Sometimes you will find that other neighborhood cats will come and spray.  I have  cats in my neighborhood that come and spray on my cats shelters.  One of the is a fixed indoor/outdoor cat.  When he sprays it just has a faint urine smell.  Years ago there was a wandering tom cat that would frequent my property and spray.  It was very strong urine and I could smell it in the open air.  I used a product called Stink Free Urine Remover.  It did a decent job or removing the odor, but it did not prevent him from coming back and doing it again.

awould this work? http://outdoordeckprice.com/wall-panel/871.html I would do a search on waterproof cladding. It is very kind of you to let them use your garage  as a shelter. Good on you!!!

you could also staple some thick poly plastic sheets on the wall. 

What about the waterproof walls like those in used in showers?  You could have some flexibility in materials, color and design that way.  Some time searching will show you an overwhelming number of choices.

Also, about neutered males spraying - I had two males who had been neutered as kittens who continued to spray for many years .  Milo was jealous of Wesley so he would spray, Wesley would spray back, Milo would have to cover that up, Wesley would strike again....   This went on for years  until they finally decided they were fond of each other and became good buddies.    Basically, it sounds like you've got some guys in there trying to work out their dominance issues.

Yeah waterproof walls sounds exactly like what I need! I just can't find anything like that tho lol do u know where I can get the material to make those kind of walls? At home Depot they told me all they have is some type of waterproof sheets but it has to be put over an existing wall which means in the shed I would have to put up plywood first and then the sheets! A lot of work [emoji]128529[/emoji]

I just want like the plywood to be already waterproof so I can just put that up and be done lol u know if anyone makes something like that?

Oh and about the spraying ur exactly right that's what's going on and for neutered males they are still very territorial I think their daddies were crazy cats so it must be in their genes!

I was thinking of those walls of tiles you can get for shower stalls and kitchen backsplashes, etc.   - the tiles are not actually applied individually with grout but come as a panel.  Here's a link to Lowe's that shows what I mean:  http://www.lowes.com/Kitchen/Backsplashes-Wall-Tile/_/N-1z0z33w/pl   However, it does make sense you would need an actual plywood wall behind them so that idea might not work out.

What about waterproofing the plywood? By that, I mean sealing it and then painting with a waterproof paint that cleans easily.   Below are a few links and a video that might give you some ideas.  

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infwood/infwaterproofplywood.html

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/protect-plywood-water-damage-36306.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_7623931_waterproof-plywood-panels.html


This idea looks promising, as well.

Zed Xyzed said:

 
awould this work? http://outdoordeckprice.com/wall-panel/871.html I would do a search on waterproof cladding. It is very kind of you to let them use your garage  as a shelter. Good on you!!!

Click to expand...

Good luck!  And I agree - you are a good soul letting these guys use your garage.

Thanks for the ideas! It seems like no matter what I'm gonna have to put up the plywood. Shouldn't be too difficult I guess. Once the plywood is up I guess I can either buy those tile back splashes or waterproof sheets and attach that the the plywood OR I can just waterproof the plywood with stain or paint. Guess I'll figure out that part after I get the plywood up.

Thank u

I'm not sure who carries it, besides buying direct from the manufacturer, but you can get plastic panels that you use just like plywood, but it's solid plastic, completely waterproof. It's not cheap but it may come out costing less than fully waterproofing plywood.
https://www.teksupply.com/contractor/supplies/prod1;ts_polymax-ts_polymax_wallboard;pg106835.html

this should work http://www.lowes.com/pd_72406-44905-688841_0__?productId=3601948 

Zed Xyzed said:

this should work http://www.lowes.com/pd_72406-44905-688841_0__?productId=3601948 

Click to expand...

That's the kind of stuff that's meant to be applied over an existing wall. Although I think that if one weren't too concerned about looks or "proper construction", it could work. It cracks easily so you need to pre-drill and use washers to spread out the pressure from the screws, or you could use construction adhesive to stick it to the studs. It's certainly cheaper than the polymax panels!

Hey u guys! Thanks for all your ideas. I think I found the perfectproduct! It's called corrugated plastic. Basically it's plastic cardboard and it's weatherproof. Here is what I'm talking about

http://m.homedepot.com/p/product/205351385

What do u guys think? I'm pretty sure it can easily be screwed onto studs right? Also looks like it's easily cleaned to... it's definitely not strong like plywood or something but I think for what I need it for its fine u guys agree?

Am I missing anything like any way this stuff wouldn't work? Let me know if u guys think there is a downside to this stuff because I'm thinking of buying some tomoro. Thanks again

kcpo24 said:

Hey u guys! Thanks for all your ideas. I think I found the perfectproduct! It's called corrugated plastic. Basically it's plastic cardboard and it's weatherproof. Here is what I'm talking about

http://m.homedepot.com/p/product/205351385

What do u guys think? I'm pretty sure it can easily be screwed onto studs right? Also looks like it's easily cleaned to... it's definitely not strong like plywood or something but I think for what I need it for its fine u guys agree?

Am I missing anything like any way this stuff wouldn't work? Let me know if u guys think there is a downside to this stuff because I'm thinking of buying some tomoro. Thanks again

Click to expand...

As some one who uses plastic shower curtains behind my litterboxes, it think that's a fabulous idea. The only thing you might have to worry about is sealing any seams. But clear caulking might do the trick. Good find!

I think that is a great solution

People make small animal cages out of corrugate plastic. It should work! It won't be the sturdiest but it's cheap and easily replaced if it does break.

Exactly! I was soo happy when I found this product it's perfect I already started the project yesterday and I even got R13 insulation to put behind it. Best part is that it's light, so easy to cut and so easy to install.

@Ondine that's exactly what I was thinking I got some waterproof caulking and applied it so far to what I installed yesterday. I'm about 1/3 the way done in the garage hopefully will get a lot more done today

Great!  I'm so glad you figured out a solution.    Are you taking photos?

Right now the only pic I have is when I first started u can see the insulation that's behind it and how the panels look after they ate up. The panels are 6ft high by 3ft wide. AlsI this is before I did any caulking. As u can see in the picture, where the wall meets the floor there is a cement block that runs along the whole floor of the garage. I'm gonna cover that as well its gonna be a little harder tho because I will need cement screws and what not but it's nothing I can't do [emoji]9786[/emoji][emoji]128077[/emoji]

I'm gonna update u guys with pictures as get closer to finishing thanks for the help so far