Spraying - Is he going to start now?

Div · 11-23-2011, 10:35 PM

I have two male cats. I'm petrified they're going to start spraying my home at any minute lol - I was recommended by the vet not to neuter until they were 6 months of age... which is in a few weeks BUT my trouble maker of the two is acting extremely strange.

He's become more vocal, crying when he uses the potty, crying around the house - and most startling mounting his brother.

Does this mean he's going to start spraying?

Regardless they're getting neutered as soon as I get my next check... in a week, but I need to know if I'm "safe" until then - and a week AFTER the surgery (as it takes some time for the testosterone to leave their body).

I've heard that indoor cats will wait until a year to spray unless they feel threatened by other cats or have a fertile FEMALE around - but his actions make me wonder if he might be confusing his brother for the "female" and begin to spray anyway...

Thanks in advance!

SomeRandomChick · 11-24-2011, 02:41 PM

If they're not quite 6 months yet I think you'll be okay as far as spraying goes. Mounting can be a dominance thing as well. I wouldn't push it much longer than 6 months - I've heard of cats beginning to spray before 1 year, but I personally prefer to spay/neuter around 6 months and have never had an issue. Most of the cats I've dealt with spraying with were toms that were strays/community cats and thus late neuters.

I know a lot of people push early s/n, and I think that it mostly due to shelters/rescues being required to adopt out animals that are already altered - it's then much easier to adopt out a 12 week old kitten than a 6 month old. In shelters with high turnover they'll alter at 2 pounds. But I don't think this is ideal - in fact, most breeders, who also have a vested interest in ensuring their kittens are altered, will send kittens home on an altering contract, because, where possible, it's better to wait until around 6 months, but that's later than you want to place them.

Anyway, it's common enough practice to alter at 6 months that I don't think you should worry about another week.

kitbassgirl · 11-24-2011, 03:01 PM

My kittens were already fixed when I adopted them, they were about 12 weeks old at the time, they were also very healthy and active so being fixed at such a young age didn't affect them at all. If your kittens are really close to be six months old it probably won't be a problem to get them fixed sooner.

catloverami · 11-24-2011, 04:53 PM

At 6 mos. old, it soundsto me that he's becoming sexually mature, especially with the mounting and meowing. If you're getting him neutered in a week, it should be OK, but I certainly wouldn't wait longer. Some of the more "oriental" breeds with Siamese genes can be sexually mature at 5 mos. My boy was neutered when I got him at 4 mos. of age, but some vets will neuter/spay at 2lbs. or 2 mos.

Div · 11-25-2011, 02:20 AM

Thank you all for your input! I really needed my fears to be alleviated.

I've never had a male cat indoors, but was well aware of the dreaded spraying, and had planned for it, but didn't think it'd take me by surprise - I guess I was a bit naive thinking cats have a due date for sexual maturity LOL

11-23-2011, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Div Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 42	Spraying - Is he going to start now? I have two male cats. I'm petrified they're going to start spraying my home at any minute lol - I was recommended by the vet not to neuter until they were 6 months of age... which is in a few weeks BUT my trouble maker of the two is acting extremely strange. He's become more vocal, crying when he uses the potty, crying around the house - and most startling mounting his brother. Does this mean he's going to start spraying? Regardless they're getting neutered as soon as I get my next check... in a week, but I need to know if I'm "safe" until then - and a week AFTER the surgery (as it takes some time for the testosterone to leave their body). I've heard that indoor cats will wait until a year to spray unless they feel threatened by other cats or have a fertile FEMALE around - but his actions make me wonder if he might be confusing his brother for the "female" and begin to spray anyway... Thanks in advance!

11-24-2011, 02:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
SomeRandomChick Tom Cat Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 417	If they're not quite 6 months yet I think you'll be okay as far as spraying goes. Mounting can be a dominance thing as well. I wouldn't push it much longer than 6 months - I've heard of cats beginning to spray before 1 year, but I personally prefer to spay/neuter around 6 months and have never had an issue. Most of the cats I've dealt with spraying with were toms that were strays/community cats and thus late neuters. I know a lot of people push early s/n, and I think that it mostly due to shelters/rescues being required to adopt out animals that are already altered - it's then much easier to adopt out a 12 week old kitten than a 6 month old. In shelters with high turnover they'll alter at 2 pounds. But I don't think this is ideal - in fact, most breeders, who also have a vested interest in ensuring their kittens are altered, will send kittens home on an altering contract, because, where possible, it's better to wait until around 6 months, but that's later than you want to place them. Anyway, it's common enough practice to alter at 6 months that I don't think you should worry about another week.

11-24-2011, 03:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
kitbassgirl Cat Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 151	My kittens were already fixed when I adopted them, they were about 12 weeks old at the time, they were also very healthy and active so being fixed at such a young age didn't affect them at all. If your kittens are really close to be six months old it probably won't be a problem to get them fixed sooner.

11-24-2011, 04:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
catloverami Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,603	At 6 mos. old, it soundsto me that he's becoming sexually mature, especially with the mounting and meowing. If you're getting him neutered in a week, it should be OK, but I certainly wouldn't wait longer. Some of the more "oriental" breeds with Siamese genes can be sexually mature at 5 mos. My boy was neutered when I got him at 4 mos. of age, but some vets will neuter/spay at 2lbs. or 2 mos.

11-25-2011, 02:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Div Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 42	Thank you all for your input! I really needed my fears to be alleviated. I've never had a male cat indoors, but was well aware of the dreaded spraying, and had planned for it, but didn't think it'd take me by surprise - I guess I was a bit naive thinking cats have a due date for sexual maturity LOL

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