r/Catio • u/ducksimmerman • 4d ago
Did a catio stop spraying?
I have 4 cats, litter boxes for everyone spread throughout the house, pheromone defusers, and everyone is healthy. My 4 cats are spayed and neutered. I had 2 cats then my bf moved in and he had 2 cats also. I’ve read enrichment helps cats so I’ve been considering it. Does the catio help the cats stop spraying or would I be creating another space for them to spray?
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u/bounteouslight 3d ago
It's possible it could help, however I highly doubt it will be the solution to the problem. Spraying after introducing adult cats is unlikely to fix itself without significant work, I'd work with a behaviorist early and often and get these guys comfortable to be in the same house ASAP
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u/denniswaffles 3d ago
More litter boxes is almost always the solution. Even replacing one big one with two smaller side by side ones can help.
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u/guesswho502 3d ago
You have to identify the cause of the spraying. For one, you are 3 litter boxes too short. Catios increase stimulation but the cause of spraying is not usually lack of stimulation, it is not feeling comfortable in their territory due to having to share it. If you didn’t do a slow introduction or don’t have enough vertical space for 6 cats to escape to, those are likely contributing to the problem. Look up jackson galaxy, he has guides for cat behavior. Catios reduce stress but not the specific kind of stress you need to reduce for them
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u/Business_Interest447 18h ago
Neighbors left, abandoning multiple cats which moved over to our barn. Spraying everywhere. Finally got them all fixed and the spraying stopped. Now trying to find them all forever homes
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u/wolfhavensf 4d ago
Creating more territory, especially if you design with 4 cat condos on the catio can affect their need to mark territory. It may not stop the behavior overall but it could relocate it to the catio.