As many of you are, we are animal lovers (well, mainly me, but I have a terrific dh that lets me do "what I have to do" :wink:). We often put food out, especially during the winter for strays. Shelter too. The two cats we have currently were ones that had wandered on to our property. Even for the ones that we can't bring in, they get taken to the vet to get neutered/spayed - I just can't handle the thought of more strays being born here. Ok, enough background.

A number of weeks ago a sweet gray tail-less kitty wandered to our yard. She seemed too well taken care of to be a total stray, but she hung around a lot. Spent most nights here too. My dh caught the neighbor one day and asked her if she knew anything about her - and it was hers. The (as we found out) spayed manx-mix had begun spraying indoors - the vet told her to put her down or put her outside because she wouldn't stop. So there she is. And it's getting colder! The sweetheart lets me cover her up at night (I bet she'd be a snuggler under the covers!) in her box. I worry about how she'll be when it really gets cold. Funny thing though - one of our cats has been watching her - they've seen each other though the basement window - wouldn't you think she'd spray the window, the porch or something if she liked to spray? I know our neighbor loves cats, so I don't think she'd do this if it wasn't a last resort, but I feel so bad for this cat!

Well, after this essay, I guess I'm just wondering if you've had any experience with female spayed cats spraying indoors - can they ever be broken of this?

The only cat I know of that was "naughty" was surely mentally ill, from a good home etc. Usually spraying comes from stress or environment that kitty isn't happy about. Knowing me, I'd try her inside. But then, I'm known as a softie and baby my kitties.

I have had many many female cats and have never had one spray. I am sure they can be broken. I wonder if it was more of a "Personal" issue than cat issue. I am not sure why vet would have her put down if all she was doing was spraying you wouldn't put a make down. Poor kitty glad she has you to take care of her!

I actually looked up online about how stress can induce it - and they do have a little one in the house - but then we do too, so not sure that would make a difference.

Found this does she have more than one cat?

Do only male cats spray?

No, all cats, male or female, neutered or not, may spray, however, urine marking is most common in un-neutered male cats. It is not usual for female cats to spray, but it can happen if she is in heat and leaving her scent to attract a male cat. It can also be a problem when there is overcrowding of cats in a household.

it could be worth a trip to a GOOD vet sometimes it is a bladder problem that can be fixed, if not it is very hard to break them of the habit, you could refine her to the laundry with a litter box and teach her to use it, but it would take perseverence. sometimes they just spray because they are not happy, my sugestion would be bring her inside and see what happens, you can always use a spay bottle with water and a little bit of vinigar to squirt her if she does it in the wronge place, also clean any messes with vinigar as they don't like the smell.
good luck with it,

yes, a UTI could cause spaying. My vet had me give kitty a glucosamine condrointin (spelling?) each day to help sooth the lining of the bladder. That was for irritation, and bloody urine. But as lots of us ladies know, it hurts to pee sometimes, and maybe kitty spays to 'let somebody know'

I've only thought that males spray. My cats (male or female, past and present) would get "the works" as soon as the vet says is possible. That way the males wouldn't have know about the need to spray. I find it hard to believe a vet would suggest putting down a cat for spraying-adopt it out. Bottom line, I'm at a loss about a female spraying. I'm a sucker for cuteness and I'd have that kitty in my house AFTER flea treatment and a good worming. If it was being seen by a good vet, they should know about the bladder problems and treat accordingly.

I have never had a female spray, however, she could be just doing it because the previously "marked" area is not cleaned properly. Cats have far better noses than people and they will return to a previously marked spot if there is a skerrick of odour left. Also if her previous owner had a baby, she may have felt "displaced" and then started to stress. Some people get a bit manic about babies and cats, so maybe she just didn't feel happy there. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks everybody. I did wonder about which vet said that. I kinda have opinions about certain vets here. I was wondering if she could've had a bladder problem as well.
I guess we'll see what happens.... wish she wasn't such a sweetheart!