Yes, female cats can still spray after being spayed, though it's less common than in intact females. Spaying significantly reduces this behavior by eliminating heat-related hormones, but about 5-10% may continue due to stress, medical issues, or learned habits.

Why It Happens

Spraying in spayed females often stems from non-hormonal triggers rather than reproduction. Stress from new pets, moves, or household changes can prompt territorial marking, mimicking pre-spay habits. Medical conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder issues may also cause similar symptoms, so distinguishing spraying (vertical, small amounts) from regular urination is key.

Common Causes

  • Stress and Environment : New routines, loud noises, or competition with other cats spark anxiety-driven spraying in up to 30% of cases post-spay.
  • Learned Behavior : If spraying started before surgery, the habit persists without hormonal drive.
  • Health Problems : UTIs or kidney issues mimic spraying; studies note 10% of urinary cases involve marking.

Prevention Tips

Provide a calm space with these steps:

  1. Clean sprayed areas thoroughly with enzymatic cleaners to erase scents.
  2. Add more litter boxes (one per cat plus one extra) in quiet spots.
  3. Use pheromone diffusers like Feliway to reduce stress.
  4. Increase playtime and vertical spaces for enrichment.

When to See a Vet

Consult a vet promptly if spraying is new or frequent, especially with straining, blood in urine, or lethargy—these signal infections needing antibiotics. Recent forum discussions on Reddit echo this, with owners reporting success after ruling out UTIs.

TL;DR : Spayed females rarely spray, but stress or health issues can trigger it—vet check first, then manage environment.

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