After getting a new kitten, it is common to wonder when do Persian cats start spraying?
If you are worried about spraying, and you have a Persian cat, neutering is usually the best way to prevent this undesirable behavior.
For those of you who want to stop your Persian cat from spraying, it is a good idea to learn when spraying typically starts, so you can neuter your Persian in advance.
When Persian cats start spraying, they are typically between eight and ten months old, which is when they reach sexual maturity. In some cases, they may start spraying as early as six months old. Because Persian cats mature more slowly than other cat breeds, they start spraying a few months later on average.
While reaching sexual maturity is one of the more common reasons why a Persian cat might start spraying, there are other possible reasons behind this behavior, as well.
In this article, we’ll look in detail at the different causes of spraying, as well as some ways you can prevent it.
Most cat breeds start spraying between the ages of four and six months.
Persian cats, however, are unlike other cat breeds in that they mature more slowly. As a result, they typically do not reach sexual maturity until they are between the ages of eight and ten months old. This is when a Persian cat is most likely to begin spraying.
So, what is spraying, anyway?
Spraying is different from normal urination because it is purposefully sprayed on various parts of a cat’s territory.
A cat that is spraying will stand with its tail erect and quivering slightly. It will back up to whatever part of its territory it would like to mark before urinating.
Unfortunately, there is no exact way to predict how frequently a Persian cat will spray.
According to one cat specialist, wild cats can spray up to 46 times every hour! Thankfully, this number is significant in domestic cats, though it can vary between individuals (source).
Male Persian cats are significantly more likely to spray, but this behavior can exist in females, as well.
There are many different possible reasons a Persian cat might spray, and pinpointing the reasons behind your Persian’s behavior is an essential part of preventing it.
Spraying is an undesirable and inconvenient behavior. It smells much stronger than normal cat urine, and it is very difficult to clean.
Thankfully, there are a variety of ways you can prevent spraying in your Persian:
Spaying or neutering your Persian cat is the best way to prevent spraying.
It is usually best to spay your Persian before it reaches sexual maturity, between eight and ten months.
Most Persian cat owners choose to spay their cat when it is between four and six months old. However, if your Persian is older but has not yet been spayed, it’s never too late to do so!
For everything, you need to know regards the best age to neuter a Persian kitten, make sure you read my article.
Spaying your Persian is a highly beneficial and simple process.
There are tons of reasons why it is a good idea to spay your Persian cat.
Take a look at the table below, to see just a few reasons:
| Reason For Spaying Cat | Description |
|---|---|
| It Prevents Spraying | Spaying your Persian is one of the most surefire ways to prevent it from spraying because it removes the sexual and territorial urges behind the behavior |
| Your Persian Will Be Healthier | Intact cats are at risk of certain cancers that take over the reproductive organs. Spaying entirely removes the chance of your Persian getting certain cancers. The most common type of cancer found in unspayed cats is breast cancer, but the risk of this cancer is eliminated when the cat is spayed (source) |
| There Will Be No Chance of Kittens | A spayed cat will never give birth to kittens, which are a huge responsibility. There are already so many cats in the world who are looking for their forever homes, and the most responsible thing to do is to avoid bringing even more cats into the world |
| Cat Will Be More Affectionate | A spayed cat will no longer have sexual urges, meaning it will be more likely to bond with you. Spayed cats are also less likely to roam around in search of a mate, so your Persian will be more likely to cuddle up with you on the couch |
While spaying a Persian cat is filled with benefits, it is always best to be aware of any potential risk behind the procedure, as well.
Neutering your Persian can cost anywhere between $300 and $500 at a private veterinarian, but it is possible to find organizations who charge less for the operation.
In some cases, you may even be able to find resources that offer operations for free (source).
The best way to get a cat spayed for free is to adopt from a local shelter. If you already have a cat, however, then this won’t be an option.
The ASPCA has a list of resources for getting your Persian spayed for a much lower cost than usual.
If you talk with your veterinarian or local shelters, you might also be able to find resources near you that offer to spay cats for free.
Just like with spaying, the best way to get a cat neutered for free is to adopt from a local shelter. Furthermore, you can also find a list of resources on the ASPCA website.
You can also discuss options with your vet or local shelter to find places near you that offer free or discounted neutering services.
If you are not sure whether or not your Persian cat is spraying, here are some signs to look out for.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell if your Persian is spraying or simply urinating because it is choosing not to use the litter box.
The first way to identify that your Persian is spraying rather than urine marking is that a spraying cat is more purposeful. Most cats consistently spray the same areas. These locations will also be vertical, such as walls or furniture, while cats that are urine marking will usually pee in horizontal locations, like on the floor.
Make sure you check your Persian’s litter box, as well.
A cat that is spraying will still use the litter box for regular urination, whereas a cat that is urine marking will make use of your entire house as a litter box.
The first step in cleaning cat spray is to clean it as quickly as possible.
The longer cat spray is left uncleaned, the more the scent will seep into that area.
To clean carpet, a neutralizer such as baking soda is usually a good way to remove the odor. Try to use natural cleaning products that are safe for your Persian, whether you are cleaning walls, carpet, or even clothes.
You might have to clean the same area two or more times to completely remove the odor.
Avoid using bleach or other ammonia-based products, as your Persian might think it smells like pee. This will make your Persian more likely to spray the area again in the future.
According to Affinity Petcare, the behavioral effects of neutering often take place immediately after the operation, although, in some cases, these changes can sometimes take weeks to manifest.
Just like humans, your Persian will need time to recover after its operation. Here is a list of things you can do to help your Persians recovery process go as smoothly as possible.
It can be frustrating to discover that your Persian is spraying, even though it has already been neutered. Here are some ways you can prevent this behavior in a neutered cat.
It is common for many cat owners to wonder when do Persian cats start spraying since this behavior is undesirable and best avoided at all costs.
If you own a Persian cat, spaying or neutering is usually the best way to prevent spraying behaviors in your Persian. However, even neutered cats may start spraying as a result of environmental triggers.
It’s a good idea to determine the cause of spraying in your Persian cat so you can learn the best way to prevent it.
According to AVMA, some counties in the United States have passed laws that require most cats to be neutered. Check that you are following the law before deciding whether or not to neuter your Persian.
Neutering a cat is not considered cruel, because it has many benefits. A neutered cat will be less aggressive, and neutering also eliminates the risk of certain cancers.
Cat spray is much stronger than regular cat urine. It is a musky scent that carries many feet from the location, and it also lingers longer than regular urine.