Behavioral - Territorial Urinating

I've taken my 4 year old male, neutered cat Timmy to the vet for inappropriate peeing. Vet cleared him of any infection or blockages, and is convinced it's behavioral. So he's been on Prozac for a few months. We have 6 other cats and he does not get along well with any of them. And one in particular he hates. I try to keep them separate, but it's not always easy with 7 of them. I know Timmy is the culprit because I have web cams set up around the house.   The latest incident, he peed directly on the Feliway Plug in Diffuser!   

He is a pretty aggressive cat, does not like to be touched or held. He hates to have his back touched, twitches for no reason sometimes, so we generally just leave him be and pet him softly when he seems like he's looking for it. But anything more than that and he growls, hisses, bites.  He does sleep with me at the foot of my bed and does rub up against our legs and rubs on the scent soakers.   I have 4 cat trees, 8 litter boxes spread through out each level of the house, and cat shelves in many of the rooms. I have food and water bowls throughout the house as well.  I ordered a bunch of new bird toys and am going to try to play with him more.

Do you think I should take him to another vet? Could there be something else wrong? Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks for any feedback.  

You could take him to another vet just in case.

How long has this behavior been going on? How long have you had him?

Where is the peeing happening? Near the other cats scents? Could it be he is seeing cats outside or other animals that might be causing this behavior?

Are all the cats spayed and neutered? I am guessing the answer is yes.

But it sounds like it is territorial behavior. I am guessing he feels insecure. Cat like to have territory and being blocked off tends to cause issues. But we might have to go backwards to go forwards.

When you got him did you go through the introduction process?

I am not exactly sure of how the set up is currently. You mention you have him separated but you also mention they do interact.

How aggressive is he with the other cats?

I would really try a few things. 

It sounds like he is territorially insecure. Get him to own a space. It is his, he owns it. He feels safe their. No other cats and their scents at first. Then introduce the other cats scents. 

Building his confidence sounds like it could be helpful. There are a few things I do to build confidence.

I use food and treats, play (then food and treats), going up high (cat trees etc which it sounds like you have plenty of), and a lot of love (which can just be sitting there talking to him, giving him eye kisses, closing your eyes to him, and giving treats since he does not like to be pet just yet).

Also, you want to associate the other cats (especially the one he hates) with good stuff like food/treats and play. Hopefully he likes to play. Always after playing give food or treats. It is the old hunt, kill, eat idea.

You might want to start getting the scent of the other cats (start with the ones he tolerates) on an old shirt and put it by Timmy's food, then where he sleeps, etc. Then do the others. Do it slowly as I do not want him to be marking that. 

Another benefit of a lot of play is getting them tired so they don't want to go about being aggressive to other cats and also marking.

Also make sure you are cleaning the places he (and maybe others) are peeing. I am not exactly sure of the exact thing to use to remove the scent but there is a certain solution that should be used. I am sure it is on this site, if not post about it and someone will give you what it needed.

Hopefully we can help you end this marking behavior. I think we should be able to. 

Any other details could be helpful.

Thank you so much. I'll answer your questions.
We've had him since he was 2.5 weeks old. He was abondoned in our shed and I brought him in, and had to bottle feed. I'm sure this contributes to his behavior. He was cat #5 at the time, (the third boy with 2 females, all fixed). All 5 got along fine. But we knew early on that he was a biter. I probably didn't play with him enough as he grew. 6 months later we got #6 and #7(brothers from a different litter) who were feral for their first 6 months. #7 Silvio, was was very skittish and we kept him separate for 2 months just so we could touch him and get him used to humans. I did not really introduce properly with Silvio and Timmy. I think because Silvio was so afraid, like he would be terrified of me even looking at him, Timmy zeroed in him. He is ok with the others, but with Silvio, Timmys tail puffs up, he growls and just attacks. Something about him he just hates. When it gets bad I keep one of them in a separate room for a day or 2. Silvio likes one of the bedrooms, and Timmy likes the den. But mostly they all share the same space. They share beds, sleeping spots, trees. No one really has their own spot.

Timmys peeing has been going on probably close to a year. He's been on Prozac for 5 months

He pees usually on things on the floor, a bag, a shirt, sometimes in front of a closet. In cat beds, under Windows on curtains. I clean with enzyme cleaner the best I can. We do have feral cats outside but they've all been fixed. That's the reason we have 7 cats, lol. It took a few years but neighbors and us have gotten them all fixed so no more litters. But the adults out there just roam the yards, (neighbor takes care in winter) there's no real way to remove them.

With 7 cats it's tough to find a spot that doesn't have all their scents but since he likes the den, I will scrub it of all their smells and give him that room with his own things and play with him and give him his own treats. Maybe I will get a new tree that he can make his own.

I'll do new introductions and more.play and hopefully these things will help. I think you are right about his confidence.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I will keep you posted.

Looks like Timmy isn't the only culprit. Buddy, cat #2, 8 years old peed right where Timmy did, where I removed the Feliway diffuser. Could be that I didn't clean well enough. Waiting for a delivery of Fizzion so in the meantime I used vinegar and baking soda.

Buddy is our most loving cat. Gets a lot of attention because he loves to snuggle but he is also very skittish around the other cats, gets chased a lot. So he could have a confidence issue too.
But it looks like a trip to the vet to make sure he doesn't have any issues first.

Timmy may lack a little confidence and he sees Silvio is maybe weaker or an easy target and bullys him. The history is very helpful. Given you had Timmy since 2.5 weeks he should have the social skills since you had cats already.

How is the interaction with Silvio with the others? Does he lack confidence? How does Silvio react to Timmy when Timmy gets upset? Does he run (act like prey)?

Do Silvio and Timmy spend their days up in the air (on trees, up high on dressers, couches etc)?

How do they walk around, tail straight up in the air or not?

Now bullys bully because the feel insecure. So I wonder if Timmy is a bit insecure about something. I am guessing it is territorially given all the places he is peeing. It also could be territorially from the inside cats and the outside though given teh outside cats are fixed that should be less of a problem but it could be contributing. Getting him confident should help though.

Yeah, sounds like Buddy wanted to make sure Timmy knows he is above Timmy. I think you are right that there may be a bit of a confidence issue with Buddy as well. Especially since he runs when he gets chased (acting like prey). We need him to stand up, not get into fights but hold his ground. Always smart to check for medical issues first though.

I think going back to basics will help. Food, play, height and love. New introductions should help especially if they like certain areas. But it is hard to take away territory after they had it. We don't want them to feel punished and retreat more.

If you can get them to eat near each other that would be a nice breakthrough, Use anything they can't resist if possible. Also, if you can get one to play while the other one watches near (preferably up high in a tree or on a couch etc) and then try to progress to get both to play nearby each other. You want to associate each of the cats with the others with good stuff (play and food). And if one starts "locking on" to the other one then distract with play. Once a cat doesn't feel threatened then they can stand up and build confidence. Also, make sure you let them know you love them and try to make them secure in that. Not sure if Timmy or Silvio rub on you or head butt you but we would like that to happen.

Also, if possible (without getting scratched or bitten) try to give them what I call love (petting, rubbing etc) near each other. But only if you feel like you will not be injured. I do this in the introduction process and if get them on my lap with them just purring I know I have it. But It starts with one on each side (apart). But if you can get them fairly close and purring that is pretty good. But be careful and only try this if you know you are not going to be at risk.

But using food and play in proximity to the other cats should help a lot. You always want each cat to not fear being near any other cat and that no other cat will take away something from them.

I hope this makes some sense. Please ask anything anytime as I know this is probably not all that clear. But I think you know cats so I think you know how to do things. Just read the cats and use your instincts. A confident cat is a content cat and can live with other cats. We have to make sure they know they are loved and wanted and they have everything they want including personal safety.

Good luck and please let me know how things go and any twists and turns you don't understand.

Silvio is very weak. He generally doesn't come out of the spare bedroom until night time when we are sleeping or if it's really quiet. He doesn't fight with the others at all, amostly stays to himself. He does like his brother (Paulie #6).   Usually when Timmy and Silvio go at it, Silvio is on the stairs, and Timmy blocks him from coming up. They have a stare down and Timmy goes after Silvio and Sivlio runs. I have never seen Silvio fight back or attack. 

Timmy walks around with his tail high, while Silvio is cowering. Timmy has gone on all the cat trees, but doesn't really have a favorite. He likes the sunroom best, looking out the windows. Silvio likes the cat tree in the den the best (only goes on it when no other cats are around) and not in his room, (go figure!). But he mostly sleeps on the spare bed (or under it). 
 
I think all 3 of them - Timmy, Buddy and Silvio are all insecure. All 3 are always on the receiving end of spats (Timmy gets it from the other cats sometimes). Timmy only goes after Silvio.  I don't have proof yet, but I'm willing to bet Silvio is peeing too.  They all rub, head butt and purr, and are generally very affectionate. Silvio is scared, but if I get him alone, he melts in my arms, rolls over to have his belly pet, etc. They all love me and my husband, they just don't like each other very much!

So it sounds like I need to work on the confidence with all three of them. I am definitely going to try more Food, play, height and love and New introductions.  The new bird toys came tonight, so they'll be excited to have special play time. 

I will also try feeding them close to each other with wet food. Right now, bowls are scattered through the house. Most are in the dining room, but Silvio never eats down there. I got out of the habit of feeding wet because -- well 7 cats. LOL  But I clearly need to get back into it for the sake of my house.

I do have another bully - Puck (male, 7yo, 23 lbs) he's a bully only to our first cat Typo (she's the oldest at 9). He will hiss at her and she swats him and hisses back, but neither one is aggressive towards each other or anyone. They are both very confident. Puck sometimes scares Buddy out of the litterboxes. But it's really hard to police that. Like I said I have 8 boxes, of all types. Some with hoods, some without. Some open, some under tables, near cat trees and escape routes. On all floors. I'm not sure what other otpions I have with litterboxes. 
 
Thank you so much. Everything does make sense. I've had cats my whole life, fostered litters, helped with TNRs, but never had 7 indoor at one time, and never had peeing like this before. My cats are my kids, so I just want to make sure they are healthy and happy. And also not ruining my house! 

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted. 

We really need to get Silvio confident. Use Paulie as a crutch in this process. I don't think Silvio is the problem regarding the peeing but just for his quality of life it would be beneficial. Try to get him to play out in the open eventually, out eating eventually, try to get him on the tree eventually where the others are around. If you can walk him through the areas in your arms without you being hurt (scratched, bitten etc) then try that. This would be the next thing after solving the peeing issue.

There sounds like a definite hierarchy and I am guessing Timmy is not all to fond of being chased and takes it out on Silvio. Then the insecurity can lead to the peeing.

I would start with Timmy. Food and play. Get him to eventually interact with Puck and Typo etc, anyone that chases Timmy. Distract with play and food if they look like they are going to bully. Once Timmy doesn't feel like he is going to be attacked he should be a little better behaved.

I would work on Silvio next as it sounds like he needs it. Same game plan. Food eventually where others are, play eventually where others are, etc. I would do some scent swapping with him as well. Get Timmy's scent on something then when Silvio is getting love when you are alone with him get it close to him so he can associate Timmy's scent with all that love. We want him eventually going anywhere with his tail straight up, confident.

Buddy sounds less urgent but needs his confidence built up as you mention. She who is teh most domineering with him and then work with them.

Make sure you get them to play in all areas with eventually other cats around. Same with the feeding. Also, if it isn't too much work, I use warm chicken thighs to help build confidence. They get so into the food that they don't even notice a cat right by them (hopefully eating with them).

We want all these guys to hold their ground knowing they are not going to be hurt. It doesn't sounds like you have mean cats so it should go well. It will take some time but this stuff tends to work. Do everything you can to get them to feel loved and accepted and that they belong there. Once they are confident things should go better.

Good luck and keep us up on the hopeful progress.

I've been playing with Timmy the last few days.  Trying out the bird toy,  but he isn't really chasing it. Just laying there and swatting at it. Going to keep trying. Haven't gotten him to really pant yet, or get tired. I've also treated him with wet food and treats after we played and last night we had a great petting session where he let me pet him and we made soft blinks at each other. That's the FIRST time he's ever done that! 

Silvio wants nothing to do with the bird. Hides from it and runs under the bed. I suspect I will need to start very small with him. Maybe a string or feather. He is petrified of anything in my hand.

I did feed Sivlio and Timmy together once. I put two bowls about 3 feet apart. They both hesidated and stared at each other, but they both ate with their heads close together. Silvio kept going, but Timmy got nervous and walked away. He wouldn't come back to the food.

Going to keep going with Timmy -- food and play. And try to get him to interact positively with the others.

Puck is the most domineering with Buddy.  But Puck is very affectionate, gets lots of attention and is very confident.  Unlike Timmy, he seems very secure unless I'm missing something.

 Haven't had any incidents in two days, so hopefully these things are working!

also haven't quite figured out how to play with Timmy without the others getting jealous. I try to spread the love but then they all just stare at the bird. Hah. One tried doing it in one room, but a few cry outside the door. And feeding wet food to seven cats... It's like feeding time at the zoo. Definitely need a better system.

Timmy and Silvio are still the same but Timmy has gotten better with his aggression. Neither of them have peed outside the box.

Buddy on the other hand has sprayed the walls everyday. I clean it as fast as I can with an enzyme cleaner but he just keepsdoing it. After the cleaner dries, I block off that part of the wall, then he just sprays a different part of the wall. Finally I closed off that room. No cats in there until I figure this out.

Any ideas why Buddy is getting worse?

I am so sorry for the delayed response. 

GREAT that Timmy seems like he is getting a little better. Keep trying the bird toy, sometimes it doesn't work right away. Hopefully he will start to play more. But great to hear nothing outside the box and less aggression. Sometimes a different toy is needed (and sometimes toys just do not do it). Sometimes food, height and love are the only things that will work. Fingers crossed.

Silvio...... ughhhhhh.  Ok, we need to associate your hand with something good. Food/treats. Is there anyway you can make your hand very visibly when feeding? So he can associate your hand with something good (food)? Of course, we don't want him swatting or biting your hand so please be careful.  I often use warm chicken (thighs) and hand feed that. At first I put it close to a cat and then if the signs are good I give them the chicken holding it between my pointer finger and thumb and have the chicken stick out about an inch and a half. If I get a cat eating the chicken like that I know I have won. BUT you have to be very careful that the cat doesn't lunge for the chicken. You do not want to get bitten. Even putting the chicken on a plate and having the cat see your hand while he is eating that is helpful. PLEASE be careful. Unless you are totally sure you will not be hurt maybe you better use the plate and leave your hand a distance a way but in view. I am trying to figure out how you can have something in your hand and Silvio knows he will not be hurt. Hmmm, I need to think of something.

GREAT Silvio and TImmy ate together. That is big. Keep trying to feed them close together. We are trying to associate something good (food) with the other cat(s). It is ok Timmy got nervous and walked away and didn't come back this time. But he will when he realizes Silvio is not going to hurt him. It is all about feeling secure that they are safe. It is great that SIlvio cared more about the food than Timmy. 

I am not sure Timmy should play with the others just yet. But soon hopefully. Playing together and eating together will be great. Is there anyway someone can play with the others in the other room? We don't want the others feeling left out but it is understandable that it is tough to balance. I know it is hard but all you can do is the best.

Buddy................ Is he spraying in the same room all the time? Only that room? Is it where Timmy is around? It sounds like Buddy is more insecure than I thought. Is there anyway you have enough time to step up the play, food/treats, and love with Buddy? Especially in the room he is spraying in? I am assuming it is happening in one room. If it is in multiple rooms can you do it in multiple rooms? I am guessing Buddy is feeling left out and is feeling insecure. That Timmy is getting to much attention. Have you seen anyone bully Buddy lately? Any change in behavior? Is this a step up in the spraying or do you think he has been spraying this much for a while? Is there a way to get Puck and Buddy interacting? Eating near each other? Playing with each other maybe? Anything to address that relationship/bullying? Maybe Puck is feeling a little left out and is stepping up the bullying of Buddy.

There is a lot going on here. Can you get the scent of Buddy on something like an old shirt and put it where Puck eats and sleeps? We need to associate Buddy with good things to Puck. If we can get Buddy to stop fearing Puck then I think the spraying should stop. It is all hierarchy and fear I think and Buddy fears he is going to fall lower on the pole.

When you sense one of the cats slipping try to increase the attention on them. Try to make them feel as secure as possible. Give some special food and love if possible and attention at worst even if it is just hanging out in a room with them and talking to them and petting if possible without being hurt. Anything to make sure they know they are loved.

I hope the general idea makes some sense. Let me know how things are going and changing etc. It is going to be some work and some dancing around but I think you understand what needs to be done. If we can get them all eating together and playing together we will be golden. Even if we get the trouble makers to eat together, play together etc then we will be going a long way. If we can get Puck tired out if possible with play that would be great so he will not want to bully Buddy.

Good luck, I know how stressful this is but it should work out. At least there is some progress but we need to try to figure out how to keep that going while working on the others. I'll make sure to check every day this week. I am so sorry for the delayed response.

oh Gosh, no need to apologize! You've been so helpful and I'm trying everything you suggested. Last week I had three pee-ers, and this week only one, so there is progress.

The biggest thing I'm doing is playing and then rewarding with wet food. That definitely seems to be helping Timmy.

Silvio is so bizarre. He is so affectionate towards me sometimes, and then others, he hides immediately. I'm going to try the chicken thighs like you suggest. Hopefully that helps. The thing with him is that he has never shown aggression to me. He cuddles up to me if I sleep in that spare room he loves. If I hold him, he gives kisses and nudges. He's upset Only when Timmy corners him (which he hasn't done since I've been playing and rewarding). So I definitely think feeding with my hands will be a positive step. I tried again feeding them in the same room, but both were very upset so I aborted. I was happy about the precious time so I think I rushed the next time. Will try again slowly.

Buddy has sprayed in a couple of rooms, but over the weekend it was only this downstairs room. So I closed it off until the enyme cleaner dries fully. It's hard to say whether other cats were bothering him. My camera set up only showed buddy in the room and backing up to the wall to spray. My husband says Puck chases buddy from one of the upstairs litter boxes. So maybe it's just residual fear when he's downstairs. There is a litter box in this downstairs room, so I don't understand why buddy is spraying the wall. Buddy gets sooooo much attention from my husband. He calls him King Buddy. Lol. He's always on one of our laps and is always cuddling with us. Tonight I opened the room up and played with only him in it, and then gave treats. Going to keep trying that. No spraying that I know of in any other rooms since I closed it off. I am starting to think Buddy was the culprit all along and Timmy and Silvio just joined in because of their behavior,

Puck is also a lap cat. He's with me a lot and likes to cuddle next to me. So it's hard to say one is getting more attention than the other. They are both really loved. But I am going to ramp up playing with puck and buddy and even maybe together. And I will do the scent swapping. Puck has never sprayed, but he does quiver his tail sometimes like he's going to, but nothing comes out.

Will try all the new suggestions and let you know how it goes. Thank you again!

Thank you for understanding, I am sorry.

Silvio is feral so it does take time. It is not uncommon that they bond to their caregiver but are afraid of everything else (including other cats). It just depends on what those formative years were like. I have all ferals and take care of a feral colony. Food works wonders especially warm chicken for my ferals. What tends to be needed when a feral is so scared is to see that the other cat will not hurt (attack or chase) the scared feral. The more interactions without an attack or chase or cornering the more likely they will co-exist nicely. It sounds like Silvio can hold his own which is great. The scared feral has to stand up and not run away and act like prey. Once the other cat knows the scared cat isn't going to be pushed around then harmony can happen. I would really like to get Timmy and Silvio eating together (just take it slowly) and to have Silvio watch Timmy play (the more Silvio can see Timmy not paying attention to him the better and more comfortable he will become). We need Silvio to go up in the world (on cat trees or anywhere else that is up). Try to discourage any hiding under beds or couches etc. We want him out in the world and up in the world if possible. Use the feeding with your hand if possible, I think that will help. Also, petting and rubbing if possible. But it sounds like when there is something in your hand he is most worried. But if it is food then hopefully he will learn not to worry about a hand with something in it.

Try to get Timmy up in the world as well. Try to encourage him to get up on trees or anywhere up. Keep up the play then reward. Also, just give him some love even if it is just sitting next to him and talking. But petting really helps. just make sure he knows you love him. 

Buddy is saying "I own this room". That is why he is marking. It is great Buddy is getting so much love from your husband. Keep up the love with him. And give him some special treats. Play with him in the room he is spraying and try to get him to expand his territory as well starting with other rooms he feels comfortable in. Then reward. If you can get Puck and Buddy to play together (and eat together) that would be helpful. Is he using that litter box in the room he is spraying? Who knows, some other cat might be using that litter box and Buddy doesn't like it (it might even be Puck). It is all about territory and ownership. Buddy is feelign like he doesn't own anything so he is spraying that room. I would love to see Buddy in cat trees in other rooms. And for him to feel comfortable up there with the other cats around (and not bothering him).If anyone does start going towards him then distract the naughty cat with play or treats. Anything to get Buddy to feel like he will not be chased. If you can tire Puck out then maybe he will not want to chase Buddy. And if Buddy isn't chased then he can feel more secure and feel like he owns the territory.

If you can try to describe Buddy's behavior a bit more that would be helpful. Does he feel like he can go anywhere? Does he have a favorite place? Does he go high or does he stay low? Is every encounter with Puck a chase or just by the litter box? Does Buddy walk with his tail straight up? Just anything that might shed more light on the situation.

Maybe Buddy is the most territorially insecure (with Silvio and Timmy trying to cover up Buddy scent) and if so we need to really work on him. Eating in more rooms, play in more rooms, love in more rooms. Going up high if possible. Play with the others eventually. Eating with the others. Anything that will tell him that he owns this place with the others and that he will be safe (look no one is chasing you). It is a process but it should eliminate any marking.

Always try to see which cats are having issues. And then slowly work with them so that the chased cat finally stands up to the bully.  

Hang in there, I know it is stressful but you will get through this.  Good luck and keep up the great work.

We had a good few days while that room was closed off. No issues.
A few times I played with Buddy and Puck (together and separate) and fed treats and wet food near the spot where he sprayed in that room. I kept the door closed for another day. Then played and fed treats again. Kept the door open last night and woke up to marks near that same spot and another spot in the living room upstairs. Not sure who did it because I had the camera downstairs and it didn't capture anything.

So, two steps forward, one back. It's OK though, I'm going to keep trying. I know it takes time. But it is so frustrating.

Buddy does use the litter box in the room he sprays. I've seen him use every box we have. He does eat with Puck with no issues. (I have most bowls in the dining room and at meal time everyone usually eats together, except silvio, but he's a work in progress as we know).

Buddy generally never acts as prey around Puck unless it's around a litter box. This morning (after I found the pee marks) Puck chased Buddy out of a bedroom that had a litterbox in it. I distracted, but it was too late. I am going to play with Puck as much as I can to tire him out. I really hope that helps.

Buddy is definitely a scared cat. Almost as much as Silvio. But he goes where he wants, goes high in the trees, in window perches. I can't say he has a favorite place because he does go all over the house, sleeps in different places. I guess the place he sleeps the most is our bed. (whether we are in it or not!) I've seen him walk with his tail straight up and down low. I guess it depends on how he feels -- confident or insecure.

One thing that is different about him is his obsession with the garage. My husband started letting him go out there with him and he would give him a few blades of glass. Now, Buddy is obsessed with it. He sits in the hallway where the door to the garage is, and waits for my husband to let him in there. He will sit there and cry until we either distract him or let him in there. I don't know if that's related, helpful, or not. When he's in the garage, he just roams around, sniffing, eats his grass. Never pees.. Just kind of hangs out while my husband is reading or drinking coffee. Then he comes back in. So I guess that's his favorite place!

I played with Timmy in front of Silvio, although Silvio hid under the bed. I'm going to try another room that he can't hide in. Timmy's attitude definitely seems to be getting better. He is going high on the cat trees and letting me bet him for longer periods. I still need to try the chicken thighs with Silvio.

So, we are still trying. Still some bumps in the road, but keeping at it. Thanks for reading and for all of your suggestions. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Is there any chance that a cat (Buddy or someone else whoever is marking) sees an outside cat(s) or animal from the rooms they are spraying in? Is there any aggression to the spraying cat in the rooms they are spraying?

Is there a window to the outside or is there a chance an outside cat is spraying on the other side of where the inside cat is spraying?

The fact you had a few good days with the room closed off makes me wonder. Maybe it is a coincidence or maybe there is something about that area of the room. Now why the living room as well I wonder. Anything at all that might be around that living room spot?

You don't have to answer this but have you ever had any animals in the house or in the walls (squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, etc)? Any chance of that?  Are there any strays or ferals in your area? Can a cat see them at all or is there a chance the outside cat might have sprayed and the scent has come in? 

If you can get the camera set up in the room you think he may spray that might be helpful. 

Buddy doesn't sound like he is lacking that much confidence. He goes where he wants, goes high, tail up.

Does anyone else go in the garage or just Buddy? Did Buddy start spraying after having access to the garage and if so how much after?

Even if Silvio hid while you were playing with Timmy that is ok. Seeing Timmy not go after him is good. Keep working with Timmy and let Silvio hide a little bit longer than transition to a place SIlvio can't hide. If Silvio doesn't hide on his own that would be great. Feel free to give a treats to Silvio during this as well.

Keep up the play and feeding, and see if you can play with Buddy and the others and try to show Buddy (and Timmy and Silvio a lot of attention). It does take time so I am not too worried but I am wondering if I am missing something. Odd that it would stop with closing the access and then restart.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'll think more about this.

It's totally possible to see the outside cats. There are about 5 and sometimes they lounge on our decks when we aren't out there. They are feral but fixed. Maybe I need a sprinkler on a timer. They could be spraying out there too. As for the something in the walls, I don't think so but I'm willing to explore every thing at this point!

I never see aggression toward buddy on that downstairs room. He usually gets chased from one of the upstairs boxes. But maybe I'm missing it.

I'm stumped on the living room spraying too. I cleaned there and put down food bowls in the spot, no issues so far.

No one else goes in the garage except Buddy, and honestly, I don't think he sprayed before. My husband said sometimes the outside cats go in the garage when he leaves the door to the driveway open. I didn't know this until today! So maybe we stop letting buddy go in the garage for a while, and we try to keep the outside cats away. Definitely no more leaving that outside door open! The downstairs room he was spraying in is right off the garage.

Good news and bad news on that front... We plan on selling our house and moving this summer. So the garage and outside cats won't be an issue, but moving 7 cats to a new and strange place is going to be interesting!

I think we might have found something, fingers crossed.

I don't want to take territory away from Buddy especially because he loves the garage. But I think we need to keep all the outside ferals out of the garage. In Buddy's eyes he owns that garage and the house and he doesn't want to share with those outside cats. I would think he would spray in the garage given that but sometimes they can spray in other places as if to say "ok, maybe you go in the garage but these other rooms are mine". Then if he sees them from the window then he sprays by that window or wall. Let's try taking that route if at all possible and see if that works. Cats can deal with outside ferals but when they start encroaching on their territory then problems can happen. Just depends on the cat and how secure they are.

Yikes, the move............. Make sure you take all their beds and cat trees etc with their scents on it and keep them and use them in the new house. Even get some old shirts and have them get their scent on them and put them around the new house. Anything to help them in the transition. You can add new cat beds, trees etc but using the same food bowls, same beds, same trees, same toys etc with their scent on them is really important. So they can feel at home in the new place and it doesn't see that different. 

Let's try to get Buddy out of this before the move and then deal with whatever might happen. If Buddy gains confidence and stops the marking we should be in a good place for the move.

Good luck, fingers crossed we are on to something now.