Hello.

I know there is an abundance of cat threads on here, but here goes.

I've got this tom - Hector - he's 6 years old, and impeccably behaved bless him. We had him originally along with his brother, but the brother went off to live with a neighbour (so fickle!), leaving Hector alone since he was a year old.

So, my 8 year old daughter takes a fancy to one of new neighbours kittens - enter Betty Bobbins.

In the toilet training department, Betty started off great, then things took a turn for the worst. A month after moving in, she decided to use the back of the TV for number two's a couple of times (until I blocked it off completely), and after a couple of other inconsiderately chosen spots, I have now got it down to the litter tray, and the bath (don't ask me why - but at least it's easy-wipe), despite her going out as often as she wants, she still comes into the house to do her business.

We had her spayed 4 weeks ago, she is now 22 weeks old.

Hector since she was spayed has become an absolute mystery - he has always been a darling - does his business outdoors, but since her op, he has taken to spraying in really odd places e.g. on my DVD player, on my daughters Wii, etc - all places close to where Bets was doo-dooing originally, but not in a long time. What is wrong with him??? Any advice cat-lovers? I'm baffled!!

As a note, he tolerates Betty, but I wouldn't say he enjoys having her around - he is very much an outdoors cat.

Did Hector have the op when he was younger?

Yup... back when he was an innocent kitty....

Two insecure kitties I think.

Clean any 'accidents' with a proper animal odour remover - otherwise they smell their own scent and toilet there to re-enforce it (Betty) or over-ride it (Hector). Pets at Home do a good product, but biological washing powder will do at a pinch.

Make sure they each have their own space. Their own bowls. Their own beds. And definately their own litter trays - I have always had one litter tray for each cat until recently (down to two who get on - eventually) Put catnip in their beds to make them attractive.

Get a tea-towel and rub it on their heads to pick up their scent (IIRC, the scent glands are just behind their ears) then transfer their scent all over the house.

No guarantee this will work, but worth a try.

Betty Bobbins


Excellent advice all I can add is make sure the litter trays are somewhere quiet and secluded, some cats feel very vunerable using litter trays so they will go where they think they won't be seen.
Good luck.

Thanks for the tips, will give it a try!!

Strangely, Hector has never used a litter tray in the house, so his behaviour is the most puzzling - especially as he has been fine for the first 3 months Betty has been with us!!!

Thanks all again x

The only thing I would add to this is that Hector has been very blatant about spraying in my living room - as in when the whole family are sitting there, he does it in front of us all then runs off!!!

Just a thought he's not got a urine infection has he, one of my females did this when she had cystitis. Though it does sound more like they're claiming there teritories and ranking.

It probably wouldn't do any harm to get him checked out?

My gut instinct is that it is him reclaiming his territory. He's a moody swine at the best of times....

i know its a long shot but did you give Betty attention when she done her buisness in the living room it could be he wants attetion that happened to my mums cat he was used to having all the attetion to him so when it was 2 cats he got annoyed and done his buisnness evrey where the vet said it was attention seeking im not saying you dont give him attntion its just something it done even when she gave it the same attention

Hector may be confused because his lady cat pal has now lost her'sex' .. and she'll smell different to him also.

Similar happend to me a couple fo years ago when I got Mr Jingles neutered .. When I brought him home , George (cat) went crazy for days on end, spitting at him, hissing, then hiding and piddling in my daughters room. I eventually had to get George re-homed as his behaviour wouldn't change at all, no matter what we did.

Have you tried cutting a lemon or really citrusy orange in half and leaving them in the places your cat is doing toilet/ they hate citrus.

Thanks guys... I think it defintely is a reaction to the spaying.. and maybe poor Hex is jealous because my daughter gives Betty the most fuss these days and is feeling a bit left out!!!

Thanks again all!!