Help! Beautiful Calico but Massive Spraying Issues

sashacat421

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I am writing for Eric's father who has a beautiful 10+ yr old, healthy, gorgeous and extremely well-cared for Calico in a multi-cat, multi-Calico household. Boots has been with the family for many years, and for many years has sprayed. She doesn't like being left alone, so she normally has the run of the outside and inside, although she prefers to be inside. She has no real other behavioral issues except spraying. In the past year it has gotten much worse. There have been no household changes, no major differences in the normal pattern of household life and no additions of new kitties. All the kitties are aged 3-15, and they all have cohabitated for years. Eric's family doesn't want to give her away and when I was there just this past weekend, I held her and felt nothing but sweetness and calm from her. I didn't sense duress or anger from her at all!

They're about ready to put her up for shelter and what can they do?????
Nobody seems to want a senior kitty with massive spraying problems!
 

catlover7731

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OMG so many cats and she is spraying is she fixed? If she is not of course she is going to spray !!! I don't want to jump to conclusions but this is my only one. Get her fixed there are lots of low cost places out there ask for help and get all these cats fixed!!
 
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sashacat421

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Originally Posted by catlover7731

OMG so many cats and she is spraying is she fixed? If she is not of course she is going to spray !!! I don't want to jump to conclusions but this is my only one. Get her fixed there are lots of low cost places out there ask for help and get all these cats fixed!!
They are all fixed. She was spayed when she was 2.
 
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sashacat421

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Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

Others will definately come along with great advice, E, but I wonder if they've tried a Feliway Diffuser?
Steph, man I am going to sound really dumb, but since this issue is so foreign to me, can you explain what the diffuser will do? I'm sorry, I should be more cognizant of Feliway!
 

catlover7731

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I am sorry I immediate associate spraying with not fixed cats.... i have seen this difuser sold at dr foster and smith. You can also go to www.peteducation.com for help. Has anything changed in the house? Has she been to a vet? I hope you can find a solution to this, I don't want to see her at a shelter. cat.
 
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sashacat421

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I don't either. Nothing has changed in the house. Eric's parents have no children at home now and their kitties are their children. She has been to the vet. She's in very good health. I am going to go out and get some lunch (I'm at work) and will read your link. No apology necessary~~ no worries
 

hissy

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Spaying in females can mean several things: a urinary tract problem. But she has been spraying a very long time, so she could be fighting a low grade infection. Have they had her seen by a specialist?

Spraying can be a territorial issue, if she feels threatened by an animal, either inside or outside the home. If she is spraying near a window that is usually a clue there is a strange cat outside, and he or she is spraying outside the house.

There could just be a stress trigger on this cat, and she sprays when she is stressed out. If they don't get rid of all the urine successfully, she will just continue spraying, as it is in her nature.

I would suggest they invest in a black light and look throughout their home for all traces of urine and knock it down with Nature's Miracle or Nok-Out

If all else fails, call in a cat behaviorist to help out
 
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sashacat421

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So I downloaded (in color for viewing pleasure!) all this wonderful information from you guys and also MA's response re unchecked infection, etc. I was on the phone to Eric and since Boots is pretty much his step mom's kitty, his father is going to acquiesce to her wants. What I'm hearing is that she doesn't want to take the time and trouble to determine the core of this issue and even try to treat it first, before getting rid of sweet Boots, she just is concerned about their new $2000 plasma tv getting sprayed! She has been keeping Boots in the bedroom and not letting her in the rest of the house for fear of ruining her new TV. So I got mad. I told Eric that she's basically choosing a tv over a kitty's life and she might just as well send Boots to the shelter right now if that's her attitude. I was shocked! What she appears to want is somebody to just take Boots and relieve her of any responsibility at all.
 

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I remeber seeing Grizzly spray outside probably a year or so after she was fixed-I didn't know female cats would be that!! With everything that is going on at my house we have been keeping the cats inside-Bobber has peed in front of me in the family room, on a throw rug, on the paper napkins and holder on the kitchen table!!!!!!! I think she is not happy that we are not letting her outside as she is in perfect health.
I think I'' try the feliway as I have some. Give them some Feliway for Valentines DAY!!
 

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I'm guessing that you taking the poor girl is a no go as well? Personally, I'd take the cat from her and get to the root of it myself.. But I don't kno if that's an option for you?
 
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sashacat421

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Originally Posted by turtlecat

I'm guessing that you taking the poor girl is a no go as well? Personally, I'd take the cat from her and get to the root of it myself.. But I don't kno if that's an option for you?
Denise, I'm glad you asked that!
I have given this a lot of thought as soon as I knew there was an issue over there....and I can honestly say I need to give Sasha a break. He's just been through so much. First, he moves from a house he had of 10 years, then he loses his mama and they were close, then he loses his new brother he absolutely adored, then he gets mauled by the coyote, and now I'd be asking him to adjust yet again. I don't know. He's been in a multi-cat household but this doesn't feel like a good match in my gut. I am trying to network Boots around as much as I can (flyers, faxes, kiosks) and do whatever it takes. I do have a friend on the Board of Directors of a no-kill shelter up here but I want that as a last resort.
I have a lot of guilt too, I just wish I had known sooner about this, as I didn't smell anything really bad all the times I've been at his parent's house, either.
 
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