Bad kitty: Stopping feline spraying in its tracks, Part 1

Feline spraying is one behavioral problem many cat lovers know all too well. The stench, the embarrassment, the constant battle of wills – it’s a cycle that never ends. This is the story of one cat owner’s quest to eliminate the household spraying from his two boys: Cody and Stewie.

Every day is the same. I come home and both my boys are lying in bed, faces twisted with guilt. This, of course, is after I hear them scamper through the living room from the kitchen as I insert my key.

Immediately I walk into the kitchen. Twisted-up rug: check. Pungent smell: check. Glistening floor and cabinets: check again.

My boys have struck. I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure out why they continue to spray in the house. Cody, 5, was already neutered when I adopted him. I rescued my youngest, Stewie -- now a year old -- at 6 weeks of age. He was neutered at six months.

So what's the problem? Litter box is always clean, food always stocked. I've logged plenty of time online reading different sites about the nature of cat spraying, and site after site tells me that it's my cats' way of leaving messages for each other. But the only message I'm getting is in the form of me on my hands and knees with a roll of paper towels.

After getting the same results despite the fact that I've tried different things -- washing the rug, removing it completely, leaving all the cabinet doors open and even blocking the cabinets -- I decided I needed help. I needed chemicals. The rain defeated my plan to run to a pet store, but the website I was reading had a recipe for a solution from on-hand household products: baking soda, vinegar, dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide. I snatched all the products from their respective locations and got to it.

I wiped everything down with paper towels until I saw no more yellow. Then I doused my floor and rug with the mixture of vinegar and water, sprinkled it with the baking soda, and I got the peroxide and detergent mixture all over. This is such a mess on my floor! I scrubbed it in, per the directions, and then vacuumed after it had dried.

For the rest of the evening I watched, and waited. The cats went into the kitchen to eat and use the litter box. Then they went on their way. I went to bed thinking, "Aha! I finally figured it out."

This morning on my way to work, I stopped and poked my head into the kitchen. Twisted-up rug. (Oh no!) Pungent smell. (Not again!) Glistening floor and cabinets. (There's no way!)

Sadly, I was defeated. So what am I doing wrong? I plan on trying everything I see on store shelves and documenting it here. I'll also take reader suggestions. I'm open to anything, within reason of course. Feel free to share your tips and personal experiences by leaving a comment.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

Photos:  Cody, left, and Stewie lounge at home. Credit: Gerrick D. Kennedy / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Daethian]

I have no help for you. I'm battling this with a FEMALE cat! She gets in her litter box and sprays the wall behind it. This started out of the blue at least a year ago. I've tried all the tips and tricks I found online. I've been reduced to hanging puppy pee pads so my wall isn't ruined.

[Sami Gowen]

Maybe you need to try an enzymatic cleaner (first) and then get a pheromone spray like Feliway. It's worked well in our house (four cats, female and male). And maybe invest in a black light to see exactly where all the urine is!

[NotResignedQuiteYet]

I a neutered stray inside about 7 weeks ago, and to my dismay discovered his delight in dousing the house with spray. Ewww. But Sami Gowen is right: using an enzymatic cleaner first (something like Anti-Icky-Poo -- yes, that's its real name) and Feliway have really helped. He still sprays a little, esp. when mightily miffed, but for the most part things are good! Good luck!

[David]

I have two neutered male cats myself. The last time I had the spraying problem was when I made the mistake of cleaning the litter box with Pine-Sol. Cats hate the scent - or so I found out later, when one of them peed on my bed. (I clean the litter box with natural dish soap now).

You've probably already read ideas on the internet like trying different litter, getting a litter box for each cat, etc. It may be that the cabinet/rug is simply appealing to them, and part of their habit. If it were me, I'd get rid of the rug, clean the cabinet/floor again, and place aluminum foil on the floor near the cabinets - taped down with double sided tape. They'll hate walking on it. Then keep it there as long as it takes.

[Justin Thyme]

I have two suggestions. One is to use Feliway -- a pheromone for cats -- spray on affected areas ansd watch -- cats will not pee on their friend.

The other is a new litter box -- get a Petmate Giant Litter Pamn -- I got ours at Amazon.com - each cat really requires their own box.

[leslye williams]

I have one cat that mess all the time. I had the vet put him on medication for it. He does alot better know. Some medication can make him drowsy and irritable

[Nicole, Los Angeles]

I would recommend to take them to their vet. Perhaps a urinary tract infection or cyrstals? Also, some cats do this when stressed or want to go outside, if they are normally confined indoors.
I, myself, am battling a 13 year old femal cat who started urinating on rugs, carpeting, shoes, slippers about a year or so ago. She cannot be outdoors where we live due to wildlife. Needless to say, my husband hates her and gives me daily grief.
I understand and sympathize with your situation. Best of luck finding a solution