Why would he do that?

United States
June 16, 2007 10:01pm CST
Before our male cat was neutered, he would spray our front door. We lived in an apartment at the time. We took him to the vet shortly thereafter and the spraying stopped. But, I've never understood why he would choose to mark the door in this way. Is this some sort of protection mechanism they use? Or, was he claiming the door as his own?
1 person likes this
3 responses
Calais
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
17 Jun 07
Cats are very teritorial, he was just saying to other cats, that it is his teritory dont cross the line.
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
30 Jun 07
That does make sense! Thanks for the insightful answer.
Aurone
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
17 Jun 07
All male cats spray in order to mark their territory. They will often spray inside the house as well if they are house cats. That is one reason why both of my cats are female.
Aurone
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
17 Jun 07
Really? I have not had any problems with my female cats.
Magikrose
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
17 Jun 07
What cats do when they spray is they are marking there terrortiory. that way any other cat that comes in to the house would know that it is another cats hous and that they are the second cat and needs to know there place.
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
30 Jun 07
That's definitely what he was doing then! And, he did that all over the apartment before he got neutered. And, then afterwards, he pretended to do it. He wasn't actually marking anything after his trip to the vet. But, I know that it made him feel more secure in his home. I'm always worried he will convert back. He used to be a wild cat. I'm surprised he was able to change.