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How can we stop our cat from constantly marking his territory inside the house?
He sprays on bags left near ground level, furniture, the floor (we have polished boards), washing and ironing hanging on the back of chairs, in doorways, on coat stand, even on me!
We have tried shouting, “time out”, giving more attention generally (not at time of offending behaviour), medication (Endep), pheromone sprays, ammonia, citronella, but nothing seems to be discouraging him. He has two litter boxes which are cleaned regularly and a cat flap to the garden open all day!
He is a large and otherwise healthy 4-and-a-half year old neutered male “moggie”, who lives an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, is generally affectionate, very compliant with medication etc. We also have a 3 year old neutered female cat who is perfectly behaved (they get on quite well together). He has been an “inappropriate urinator” from time-to-time over the past 4 years, but the territorial marking just seems to have got far worse over the past month.
We’re at our wits’ end! Any suggestions?
We have tried shouting, “time out”, giving more attention generally (not at time of offending behaviour), medication (Endep), pheromone sprays, ammonia, citronella, but nothing seems to be discouraging him. He has two litter boxes which are cleaned regularly and a cat flap to the garden open all day!
He is a large and otherwise healthy 4-and-a-half year old neutered male “moggie”, who lives an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, is generally affectionate, very compliant with medication etc. We also have a 3 year old neutered female cat who is perfectly behaved (they get on quite well together). He has been an “inappropriate urinator” from time-to-time over the past 4 years, but the territorial marking just seems to have got far worse over the past month.
We’re at our wits’ end! Any suggestions?
2 Answers
The increase in marking was probably caused by another cat moving into "his" territory, or some other change in your neighborhood or household.
Unfortunately, marking becomes an unbreakable habit with some cats.
Things to try:
Confine him. Get a large dog pen (like for Great Danes) and make that his "home". Put the litter box, dishes and bed in there, and only let him out when you can watch him closely.
When you let him out, use noise to deter him from spraying. Every time he goes to
"line up his shot", scare the ever loving crap out of him. Use an air horn, a "penny can", and/or a squirt bottle.
Use an "Invisible Fence" to keep him in the yard, get him a dog house, and make him an "outdoor" cat.
Good luck.
Unfortunately, marking becomes an unbreakable habit with some cats.
Things to try:
Confine him. Get a large dog pen (like for Great Danes) and make that his "home". Put the litter box, dishes and bed in there, and only let him out when you can watch him closely.
When you let him out, use noise to deter him from spraying. Every time he goes to
"line up his shot", scare the ever loving crap out of him. Use an air horn, a "penny can", and/or a squirt bottle.
Use an "Invisible Fence" to keep him in the yard, get him a dog house, and make him an "outdoor" cat.
Good luck.
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