Glad to hear you are getting professional help Poblet, vet/behaviourist is the only answer IMO.

In answer to BigBHM, my male cat (neutered, but he was the 'leader') started spraying in the house when we got a male kitten (he had accepted a succession of other kittens during his long life but this was the last straw apparently). I used the correct cleaning processes, and also used Feliway - nothing stopped him. My vet said it is almost impossible to stop once it's become a habit because it's impossible to get rid of every trace of smell, and the only answer is to get rid of the cause of the stress (in my case, the kitten, in your case, lack of space). He was absolutely right, the spraying only stopped when we moved house and they had a massive garden and could avoid each other (fortunately didn't actually have to get rid of the kitten).

Quick update on my situation with Sammy.

It has been almost three weeks since his castration, and it seems even just a few days back when I posted about him here I was underestimating the change in him.

He used to spray here in my bedroom at least every couple of days that I knew of, either by seeing him or seeing it - apart from the scent giveaway, but since his op, he appears to have only sprayed three times in total, and all of those were in the first week.
I am under no illusion that it has stopped completely of course, but this level of a drop, is fantastic...

He is so much more playful too, especially with his daughter, May, they chase each other in and out of the rooms a couple of times a day (May is not yet sexually mature and he is not using his 'I want sex' voice so I know its not related to sex), and he is randomly playing with the cat toys he loved as a kitten but has since ignored.

Also, yesterday, after an hour or so of May using him as a pillow (as she has since she was 5 weeks old) he woke up, and decided to start washing her under her chin, on her neck and her ears.
Now, I have seen May wash HIM many many times (cos she really adores her daddy) but this is the first time I have seen him behave in that way towards her.

Add to all that, he comes to my lap, without being called, several times a day, and stays for 20 minutes sometimes, even sleep while both my hands and rubbing his belly and head (the way he likes it), and has even 'kissed' my nose as many times in the last two weeks, as he has in the two years I have had him.

His bellowing meow has not been heard once either, nor is he afraid of everything that moves.

Perhaps someone can confirm for me my own theory that what Sammy is now, is a lot happier and more relaxed than he used to be?

All I know is, as I said to my friend yesterday, I feel lucky to have three such wonderful kittys, and that I must be doing something right if all three seem to trust me, like me and its not WWIII in here all the time.


Now, If I could just get Delilah and May to somehow learn that it is the LITTER in the tray that you need to use to cover your doings, instead of scratching incessantly at the plastic sides/corners of the tray itself for ten minutes (well they would if I didn't keep stopping them).
In that respect Sammy has always been the good one, slowly and carefully covering his jobbies.
LOL.

BigBHM ~ that's great news that the castration seems to caused a big reduction in the spraying. In my opinion, & from what you've described, I think your cat is definitely a lot happier since the castration. As you say, more relaxed, less stressed & anxious & he now has time for some of the finer things in life like toys & enjoying the company of his daughter & playing with you.

I went through much the same with one of my dogs who was an entire male up to 4 years old. I only had him castrated because of a medical condition that meant I had no choice. But the change in his behaviour was amazing & much quicker that I expected. He was also much more interested in toys, other dogs (but not in a "are you up for a bit of hanky-panky" way that he always used to be!) & more interested in his surroundings. The urge to mate faded a lot quicker that I thought it would & it seemed like a big stressor had been removed from his life.

I hope everything continues to improve for your cats & you have a happy & contented feline family.

I am replying because of my frustration sometimes when people post and do not share the results.

And because my thread got hijacked. Actually, it is perfectly ok because I see this thread as a cat behaviour thread, and if it can help that is good.

I was also waiting to see whether the actions I took and the results were good. It's always a good thing to have positive results.

My 'mummy's boy' went to the vets, he was in perfect health and the analysis was congruent with what has been said here, it is almost certainly a change in territorial challange and to do with the death of next door's cat who has been there for years.

It is and was re directed aggression, and we have Feliway plugged in. I also got cat stress tablets, he does eat them in his food.

Now, I can read his body language too, and if I see him lift a paw near the catflap when I walk past I will, depending on his ears and tail -kneel down where he will come and rub against me, -ignore him where he will follow me, - or pick him up, which he seems to love as he rests his paws on my shoulder and purrs like a big 'un.

I think that he is, and will be, fine, but apart from that I have learned so much more about cat behaviour. Thank you for the support. xxxx

Sorry for appearing to hijack your thread Poblet, I just saw an opportunity to ask what I did after seeing this thread, and thought it was better than starting a whole new one.
If I had known more myself I would have offered you advice too, but clearly I am no expert LOL.

Thanks again to wilhemina for your help, wise words and best wishes

No problem BigBHM, I was kind of joking, I feel this could be an ongoing 'Cat behaviour' thread. I kind of welcomed your issues because my vet said if I hadn't have dealt with the issues, spraying would have been the next step, so I have learned from you too.

After all, we are all here for the same reason, what is best for our owners.

Cool.
And yeah, you have it right in terms of who owns who.
I went fro living on my own two years ago, to now being ruled by three masters
Gotta love em though.

Yes, it's lovely to get feedback & good to know that things are improving for you both. I wish you many happy years with all your feline friends.