can neutered cats spray

Yes, neutered cats can still spray, but it’s much less common than in cats that haven’t been fixed.

Quick Scoop: Can Neutered Cats Spray?

Spraying is a type of urine marking where a cat backs up to a vertical surface and releases a small amount of strong-smelling urine to communicate and mark territory.

Neutering dramatically reduces sex hormones that drive this behavior, but it does not guarantee it will stop 100% of the time.

How Often Does It Happen?

• Most spraying is done by intact males and females in heat.

• After neutering, only a minority keep spraying: about 10% of males and 5% of females may still spray.

• Many cats stop or greatly reduce spraying within weeks to months after surgery.

Why a Neutered Cat Might Still Spray

Even without reproductive hormones, other triggers can keep the behavior going.

1. Stress and Anxiety

Cats are creatures of habit, and stress is one of the biggest non-hormonal causes of spraying.

Common stressors:

• Moving to a new home or rearranging furniture.

• New pets or people in the house (including babies or roommates).

• Seeing strange cats outside through windows or doors.

• Conflict or bullying between household cats.

From the cat’s point of view, spraying is like putting up “warning” or “this is mine” scent-signs to feel safer.

2. Territorial and Social Signals

Spraying is a way to mark territory and leave information for other cats.

• Both males and females can spray, not just tomcats.

• It often happens near doors, windows, or areas where other cats hang around.

• Some neutered cats may spray people’s belongings (like bags or clothes) if they feel threatened or insecure.

3. Learned Habits and Residual Hormones

If a cat sprayed for a while before surgery, the habit can “stick,” even after hormone levels drop.

• Hormones fade over days to weeks; behavior sometimes takes longer to change.

• Some cats continue because spraying has become a familiar coping tool.

4. Medical Problems

Sometimes what looks like “spraying” is actually a health issue.

• Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or other urinary disease can cause pain and frequent urination.

• A cat may squat or dribble in odd places because the litter box is now associated with pain.

• Any sudden change in urination, especially with blood, straining, or frequent trips, needs an urgent vet visit.

What It Looks and Smells Like

• The cat usually backs up to a vertical surface (wall, door, furniture leg), tail quivering.

• Only a small amount of urine is released, but the smell is strong and pungent, often compared to skunk spray.

• It’s different from normal peeing in a puddle on a flat surface.

What You Can Do About Spraying

Think of fixing spraying as a mix of health check, stress reduction, and behavior tweaks.

1. See the Vet First

• Rule out urinary infections, crystals, stones, or other medical causes.

• Your vet can also confirm the behavior really is spraying and not another issue.

• In some cases, anti-anxiety medication or supplements are recommended.

2. Reduce Stress and Territory Fights

• Keep routines predictable: feeding, play, and sleep schedules at similar times.

• Separate cats that bully or chase each other; reintroduce gradually if needed.

• Block views of outdoor cats with curtains or frosted window film if outside visitors trigger spraying.

• Provide hiding spots and vertical spaces (cat trees, shelves, safe rooms) so each cat can feel secure.

3. Litter Box Management

• Follow “one box per cat, plus one extra” as a baseline.

• Place boxes in quiet, low-traffic areas and on different sides of the home.

• Make sure nervous cats have a box they can reach without passing rivals or scary areas.

• Keep boxes very clean; many cats avoid dirty litter and might start marking elsewhere.

4. Clean Marked Areas Properly

• Use an enzymatic cleaner specifically for pet urine to break down odor-causing proteins.

• Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners; they can smell like urine to cats and encourage more marking.

• Clean as soon as possible and let the area dry completely before allowing access again.

5. Calming Aids and Behavior Help

• Synthetic pheromone diffusers or sprays can help some cats feel more secure.

• Extra daily play sessions, puzzle feeders, and interactive toys help burn energy and reduce anxiety.

• If spraying continues, a feline behaviorist can design a tailored plan.

Different Viewpoints: What Owners and Vets Say

• Vets: Neutering is still the single most effective step to reduce spraying and prevent it from starting in the first place.

• Behavior experts: Environment and stress management are just as important as surgery for the few cats that keep spraying.

• Cat owners on forums: Many report that spraying stops completely after neutering, but a noticeable minority see it continue in older, stressed, or multi-cat households.

“For most cats, it does stop them. It’s pretty rare for spraying to continue, but can happen in older cats. If it’s continuing over a month after surgery, consult your vet.”

Mini FAQ

Q: If I neuter my cat early, will it still ever spray?
Early neutering greatly lowers the chance your cat will ever start spraying, but no timing can guarantee it will never happen.

Q: Is my cat being ‘spiteful’ by spraying my stuff?
No; spraying is about stress and communication, not revenge.

Q: When should I worry?
If spraying starts suddenly, is frequent, or comes with straining, crying, or blood in the urine, contact a vet immediately.

Quick TL;DR

Neutering massively reduces spraying but doesn’t completely rule it out; about one in ten neutered males and a smaller percentage of females may still spray, usually due to stress, territory issues, or medical problems.

If a neutered cat is spraying, rule out health issues, reduce stress, optimize litter boxes, clean thoroughly with enzymatic cleaners, and get professional help if it doesn’t improve.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.