Neutered cats: do they mark or not and why?

One of the reasons that encourages owners to castrate their beloved cat is constant territory marking.
But it often happens that the animal retains the habit even after surgery, which unpleasantly surprises the owners. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict whether a neutered cat will mark territory or not, since such a habit is determined by basic instincts. Even if the animal continues to leave such “surprises”, it can be weaned from marking. The main thing is to understand the reasons for this behavior.

Nature of the phenomenon

Many owners mistakenly confuse leaving marks with simple urination. If an animal excretes urine on vertical surfaces and standing objects, then we are talking about sexual manifestation. If a cat urinates on a horizontal surface but walks past the tray, this indicates a malfunction or revenge of the animal.

Marking territory is a natural instinct present in every sexually mature male. By leaving its mark on various objects, the animal warns others about its right to territory and attracts females.

Natural instinct - attracting females

In addition to the territory and apartment, cats often begin to mark the owner’s things, most often clothes and shoes. This is due to the fact that these wardrobe items retain the smell of the street and foreign territory, so the animal tries to kill it with its pheromones.

About castration of adult animals

The habit of marking territory often remains in sterilized animals. This phenomenon, which baffles their owners (who are confident that a castrated animal cannot behave in this way), is caused by instinct, and not by the bad character of their pets.

As a rule, this behavior is observed in the case when an adult animal that has had the experience of mating with an individual of the opposite sex was subjected to castration.

If the operation to remove the gonads was performed before the onset of puberty (when the pet was 6 to 8 months old) and the cat’s habit of marking territory had not yet formed, then it will never appear again.

An owner who decides to castrate his adult pet should be aware that this operation is not always able to solve the problem of eliminating cat marks: the animal can continue to mark its territory even after being neutered.

A qualified veterinarian, before operating on an adult sexually mature animal (regardless of gender), always warns its owner that after castration it will leave its marks for quite a long time.

Do neutered cats mark?

There is no point in doubting whether a neutered cat can mark territory. Another thing is whether the animal will retain its original habits after the operation. As practice shows, about 30% of castrated cats continue to leave marks, so the previous problems persist.

This phenomenon is caused by natural instincts, and not by bad character or the desire for revenge. It is much easier to wean a neutered pet from leaving strong-smelling marks than an unsterilized one. But first you need to figure out what motivates the cat to such actions.

Attention! The optimal period for castration is from 8 months to a year.

Should cats be neutered?

Cases where a cat continues to mark after removal of the testes are rare. And if animal owners want to quickly and permanently get rid of the marking problem in their cat, experts confidently advise them to castrate. For some reasons and personal beliefs, cat owners may refuse to promptly resolve this issue. Therefore, sometimes veterinarians have to give advice on how to get rid of a bad habit in an animal without castration.

So, what to do besides castration if the cat is marking its territory?

Try to apply simple rules for teaching cats order. To implement the method, the owner needs to follow the cat and, waiting for the moment when he is about to mark the corner, grab him by the withers. Lift it up so that the animal assumes the pose of a small kitten, and then hiss at it threateningly and hit it on the nose several times with your finger. Naturally, a single practice of this kind will not give a positive result. But if such actions are repeated daily, then over time the cat will stop marking in the apartment.
If the owner of the animal begins to doubt whether castration will help when the cat begins to mark , then you can resort to medication to correct the problem. Veterinary pharmacies stock medicines for cats based on tranquilizers and female sex hormones, which suppress the marking instinct in males and relieve animal owners from an unpleasant odor in the living room.

Reasons why castration did not help

There is no guarantee that the animal will stop marking its territory after castration. This is due to the fact that even after the operation, natural habits and instinct will not go away.

The operation does not guarantee that the cat will stop marking.

The main reasons why a neutered cat marks after surgery:

Preservation of physiological and psychological characteristics. If the operation was performed in adulthood, for example at 5 or 6 years old, the likelihood of maintaining the habit increases several times, since by this time it will be well ingrained. In this case, the owners can only rely on the fact that the animal will stop leaving marks as the production of sex hormones decreases.
Incorrectly performed operation. With cryptorchidism, the testicle may not exit into the scrotum; in this case, during castration it is not removed and the body continues to produce hormones. The original behavior and habits of the animal are preserved, since the cat will feel the need to mark the territory.
The presence of diseases of the urinary system , for example, cystitis or urolithiasis. The owner needs to observe the behavior of the pet and, if questionable symptoms appear, show it to the doctor.
Presence of other animals in the apartment. Often males continue to leave scent marks if they hear the smells of other cats living in neighboring apartments. If there are other pets nearby, correcting the situation will be problematic, since the animal will continue to defend the territory and show who is boss.
Negative impact of a stressful situation. Cats and cats do not tolerate stress well. As a rule, emotional experiences affect their health and habits. Moving to a new house, the appearance of a child or another animal in the apartment, quarrels between family members - all this can cause the animal to continue to leave marks after castration.

It often happens that a cat marks its territory due to rough and harsh treatment by its owner. Veterinarians warn that the behavior of pets largely depends on how the owners themselves behave.

Attention! After castration, the cat will not immediately stop leaving marks, as it takes time to adapt. In addition, this habit goes away as hormone production stops.

Causes

The surprise that a castrated animal continues to mark its territory is quite justified. But everything has its own reasons, after studying which, the fact that the cat’s disgrace continues after the operation will no longer seem so illogical:

Cryptorchidism . This is a deviation when for some reason one testicle does not descend into the scrotum and remains in the cat’s abdominal cavity. Thus, during castration it was not affected and, as a result, the sexual development of the cryptorchid pet did not stop (the marks, accordingly, continue and will appear until a repeat - already abdominal - operation). This option is possible due to the doctor’s inexperience or error.
Fight for territory . If a pet marks for the sake of “appropriating” territory and objects even after castration, this may be due to the presence of other animals in the same apartment, mainly also of the cat breed. Here there is already a struggle for leadership and for possessions, which the cat cannot refuse by nature, despite castration. It is unlikely that it will be possible to wean the animal from marking; you just need to wait for some time until the hormonal storms calm down after the operation.
Castration at puberty . Ideally, a cat should be neutered between the ages of 8 months and one year. But if the pet has become “sterile” after having experienced all the delights of the notorious month of March, you should not expect the marks to immediately disappear immediately after castration. It can take from 1 to 6 months (everyone is different) until the hormonal levels return to normal. Again, nothing can be done here, all that remains is to wait patiently and diligently wash the apartment and things from the cat’s amber. But if six months have passed and the situation has not changed, the neutered pet needs to be shown to a veterinarian and examined for hormonal disorders.
Stress, depression . Cats do not like global changes; stability is very important for them. Therefore, any major changes in their lives can lead to a stressful state (the appearance of a new family member, moving to another place of residence, etc.). The cause of depression can also be the lack of human love for the cat in your care and loneliness. In such cases, marks can be considered as a way for a neutered cat to attract attention to himself.
A little time passed after castration . After surgery, cats can still continue to mark for 3 or even 4 weeks, and this is not a pathology. The hormonal levels do not normalize overnight; this may take about 1 month, and during this time the neutered pet will continue to persistently mark, no matter how dissatisfied the owners may be.
Diseases . With many diseases of the urethra (urticaria, cystitis, etc.), the animal experiences pain when visiting the litter box. The result of this may be behavioral failures, and then the neutered fluffy continues to mark. In such cases, the pet associates the tray with pain, and the cat deliberately begins to “spray” anywhere (corner, wall, master’s bed, etc.) in the hope that it won’t hurt there. But if the reason lies in the disease, you need to take a closer look to see if there are other signs - lethargy, poor appetite, nervousness when going to the toilet, etc. If there are any, the neutered pet should be shown to a doctor.
Dirty tray . The carelessness of the owners does not oblige the cats to respond to them with cleanliness, and this can also be the reason that a neutered pet continues to mark. An uncleaned cat litter box is unpleasant for its main visitor, and the marks that appear in the house as a result are a kind of demonstration of the cat’s “fi” towards the owner’s sloppiness.

Now that the main reasons are more or less clear and the pet’s innocence has been proven, it’s time to figure out what to do if neutered cats continue to mark their territory.

What to do?

Many cat owners hope that after castration the problem of leaving marks will be solved by itself. But it often happens that even some time after the operation, the pet’s habit persists. In this case, you need to know what to do correctly and wean your pet from marking, since the released pheromone has a specific and pungent odor, which is extremely difficult to get rid of.

It is necessary to find out the reason

To increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome, the owner must try to find out why the animal continues to leave marks. If possible, you can consult a veterinarian or animal psychologist.

It is strictly forbidden to show aggression and anger towards a pet, since the animal in any case will not understand why it will be punished. It should be borne in mind that physical punishment can only aggravate the situation, since the animal may begin to take revenge.

How to deal with your pet’s habit of leaving marks depends on what is its primary source:

If marking the territory is associated with the presence of other pets in the apartment, the owner needs to be patient and wait time. In a few weeks, the pain after surgery will go away, the cat will get used to the new “neighbors”, feel self-confident and stop leaving marks. To facilitate the rehabilitation period, the owner needs to pay as much attention as possible to the pet, constantly play and communicate with it.
If the marks are a consequence of a disease or a poorly performed operation, only a professional can help correct the situation. After a physiological examination, the veterinarian will prescribe appropriate treatment or further surgery.
Cat marks can be a reaction to a dirty litter box. Owners should wash their pet's potty daily to minimize the likelihood of this problem occurring.

As practice shows, the habit of marking territory is usually eradicated 4-6 months after castration. If after this period the animal continues to leave marks, it is recommended that the pet be checked at the clinic for the presence of hormonal abnormalities.

We need to be patient

To eradicate this habit, you can use the following psychological techniques:

When a cat puts a mark, you can catch him and lift him by the withers, sternly scolding him out loud. This technique will make your pet feel vulnerable, and he will not want to do the same actions again. To enhance the effect of “punishment”, you can hiss at your pet; he will take this sign for aggression.
The owner needs to show that he is the boss in the house and show the animal that it is forbidden to mark the territory. When the pet begins to do its “business”, you need to lightly flick it on the nose with your finger.
An alternative option is to use strong scents to repel cats. Cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits, so the place where the animal is accustomed to leaving marks can be sprinkled with lemon or orange juice. You can also put a little peeled zest in this place.

The disappointment of owners when the cat continues to leave marks is understandable and obvious. The first thing you want to do at such moments is to yell at your pet and poke his face into the smelly puddle. But doing this is strictly prohibited. Such actions not only make no sense, but can also aggravate the situation, provoking aggression and revenge from the animal.

Why does a cat mark after castration?

The reasons why a castrated animal continues to leave its marks in the apartment may be due to:

The presence of cryptorchidism (a genetic disorder consisting in the failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum) and an error made when choosing the tactics for removing the gonads. When castrating cryptorchids (the so-called animals that have this anomaly), abdominal surgery is necessary. If the testicle located in the abdominal cavity has not been removed, it will continue to synthesize hormones that stimulate the sexual behavior of a castrated cat.
Too little time has passed since castration. In order for an animal to get rid of the habit of marking territory, it is necessary that the amount of sex hormones in its body decrease to a minimum. This process can take from one to several months. Cat owners will have to be patient.
The fact that the castration operation was performed on a mature cat that already had contact with cats. If, due to the full activity of the sex glands that produce hormones responsible for the specifics of sexual behavior, he has already developed a persistent habit of marking the boundaries of his possessions, then the likelihood of maintaining it after castration is very high. Such animals, even when castrated, will mark objects, walls, things and furniture for several months - until a significant decrease in their hormonal levels occurs. If this behavior is observed more than 6 months after surgery, the animal should be shown to an experienced veterinarian or animal psychologist. The fact is that the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland take part in the production of sex hormones (in addition to the gonads, which have already been removed), and this is quite enough to maintain the sexual behavior of some castrated animals.
Competition for territory in a room that contains one or more animals at once. In such a situation, a neutered cat leaving his marks everywhere makes it clear to them that he is the one in charge here. A neutered cat may behave similarly. To do this, it is not at all necessary that other animals live in the same room with her. Sometimes this behavior can be triggered by the appearance of a cat in a neighboring apartment. Sensing the scent of a stranger, she thereby tries to protect her possessions.
Exposure to a stressful situation , which can be triggered by rearranging or replacing familiar furniture, a sudden change in diet, or moving to a new apartment. Leaving its odorous marks everywhere, a cat that has suffered severe stress is not so much marking the boundaries of its possessions as trying to thereby attract the attention of its beloved owner.
Change of owners , which at the same time involves the need to move. This is an extremely difficult test for an independent animal accustomed to a certain way of life. At first, the cat will perceive the new owners as contenders for his possessions.
The unexpected appearance of a new pet in the house. The cat's demonstrative behavior (hissing, snorting and incessantly leaving marks) will continue until he is convinced that the new tenant is not going to challenge his leadership and claim his personal space.
The indifferent attitude of the owner towards his pet. Despite their independent character and reverent attitude towards their own individuality, cats nevertheless need human affection and attention.
The appearance of a child or an unfamiliar relative in the family , whom the animal perceives as competitors for the owner’s attention and occupied territory.
Serious illness. Cystitis, urolithiasis, and pathologies of the urethra can provoke a disruption of normal behavioral reactions, as a result of which the sick animal begins to mark the territory and urinate in inappropriate places. The fact that your pet has health problems can be indicated by accompanying symptoms: lethargy, lack of appetite, changed color of urine and anxiety shown by the animal while visiting the tray. In this case, you should immediately show the animal to a doctor, and after diagnosis, begin treatment.
The appearance of new unfamiliar smells , which can force the cat to mark its territory again.
Errors in caring for a clean pet. Sometimes the reason for leaving marks in the corners of the apartment can be an uncleaned tray or a dirty bowl that was not washed in time by a careless owner.

What else do you need to know?

To wean your pet from the habit of marking territory, you need to convince him that the main “cat” in the house is not he, but his owner (no matter how crazy it may sound). Indeed, in nature, only the main males have the right to mark territory.

Having noticed that the cat defiantly, not embarrassed by the presence of the owner, approached the doorframe or wall and, twitching its tail, began to apply its pungently smelling marks on them, it is necessary to act by “talking” to it in its language:

Grabbing the animal by the scruff of the neck and ignoring its attempts to escape, you should raise it to eye level.
Looking him straight in the eyes, you need to hiss, making sounds similar to those made by fighting cats (this is difficult, preliminary training is necessary).
Without interrupting the hissing, you need to swing your index finger and hit him (not hard) on the nose several times on the left and right sides.
You cannot take your eyes off the cat (the loser in a fight is always the one who takes his eyes off first), he must feel that the owner is very angry with him.
During this humiliating procedure, the animal will squirm and try to slip out of your hands and close its eyes. As soon as the cat squeaks pitifully, you must immediately release it.
After this, the territory marked by the roaming pet must be immediately re-marked. After washing off all the cat marks, you should wipe the newly washed surface with your very sweaty T-shirt (men can use their dirty socks, women can use their everyday perfume).

It is quite possible that the above manipulation will have to be resorted to several times, but a positive result is guaranteed. A defeated pet will stop leaving marks in the apartment, and will begin to treat its owner with great respect.