Why do male and female cats spray and how to stop it?

But many pet parents are surprised when males that are “fixed” will spray, or when female cats—spayed and un-spayed—exhibit this same noxious behavior, says Dr. Cathy Lund of City Kitty, a feline-only veterinary practice in Providence, R.I. So why do female and neutered male cats spray?

Why do cats need to be spayed and neutered?

In all cases, cats should be spayed and neutered to prevent the hormonal influence as well as for the health of the cat, Dr. Cox notes.

What do you need to know about sexual aggression in neutered cats?

The cats in question were an elderly female cat that had been blinded in a fire and a younger amorous, neutered male who engaged precisely in the behavior I just described. I made up a dilution of the androstenone and had the owner apply the pheromone to the female’s rump on a daily basis.

What should I do if my cat is spraying?

Working with your vet, you should be able to solve the problem in a way that makes everyone happy. In all cases, cats should be spayed and neutered to prevent the hormonal influence as well as for the health of the cat, Dr. Cox notes.

But many pet parents are surprised when males that are “fixed” will spray, or when female cats—spayed and un-spayed—exhibit this same noxious behavior, says Dr. Cathy Lund of City Kitty, a feline-only veterinary practice in Providence, R.I. So why do female and neutered male cats spray?

How long does it take for kittens to go back to normal after spaying?

All my cats were fixed as kittens, and the females definitely took a their time getting around and back to normal that first day. Also keep in mind that the hormonal changes do not happen overnight, Delgado says. They are subtle and gradual; your cat will not wake up like a different cat.

What happens to a cat’s personality after a spay?

To start with, Mikel Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant and co-owner of Feline Minds in Berkley, California, confirms that no research shows any negative effects on a cat’s personality after spay.

What should I do if my cat gains weight after spaying?

“Annual wellness visits with your veterinarian will help you stay on track with your cat’s weight, dietary requirements and overall health,” she adds. Bach also addressed owners’ concerns about weight gain after spaying. “Statistically there is no evidence that cats get lazy or less active after being spayed,” she says.