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My male cat sprays. Will neutering stop spraying if it's learned?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 3 lbs

My male cat, around 4, sprays constantly. I was told it's because He's not neutered and is around another male who is also not fixed. However that other cat does NOT spray. I was also told by getting him fixed he will not stop spraying because it's now a learned behavior. I don't want to put him through surgery if He's not going to stop spraying. I have used the feliway for multiple cats and it was money well wasted as he still hates the other unfixed male cat and still sprays. Any advice?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 9th, 2018

Although it is possible that having Meeser neutered will not completely eradicate this behavior I still think it is worth going forward with the surgery. It is a very brief surgical procedure in cats and they usually recover very quickly. It may take awhile before the testosterone is completely gone, but there may be an improvement in the spraying behavior. I would actually recommend having both cats neutered if you are not planning to breed them as the other cat could start with this behavior at any time.

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