Need some advice on Pirate...he has started spraying.

[Karen]

Once he's been to the vet to rule out anything medical, well, he's about at that "teenager figuring things out" stage in life. Keep a spray bottle of water handy, see what he reacts to - whether a loud hand clap or even hiss like an angry cat* - that will startle and interrupt him, and remember to be more stubborn than he is in these attempts.

*Paul does this really well, but I never have been able to. I would swear I am making the same noise as he is, but when he does it, cats run away, when I do it, they look at me in a milady curious way, but are not impressed, never mind scared off!

[Catty1]

He will be a feisty boy for a while yet. Is there some Feliway or something you could use in the short term?

I hope the vet has some ideas. And he could have an owie that is irritating him.

Hoping for a quick and easy solution!

[Kirsten]

Wow, this sounds tough. Some kind of dominance thing maybe?

[moosmom]

FELIWAY!!!! Works great! Hope everything goes well at the vet.

[kittycats_delight]

Keep a spray bottle of water handy,

Spraying water at him doesn't do anything. He could care less. Loud noises atleast man made one like clap of the hands or hissing or even yelling his name doesn't phase him either. He just pins his ears back and keeps doing what he was doing. He is a difficult little monster.

He will be a feisty boy for a while yet. Is there some Feliway or something you could use in the short term?

I hope the vet has some ideas. And he could have an owie that is irritating him.

Hoping for a quick and easy solution!

If he is anything like Frost he will always be a feisty boy when he wants to be. I too hope this is a quick and easy fix. Fingers crossed right?

Wow, this sounds tough. Some kind of dominance thing maybe?

I think it is dominance too and maybe something else as well. He has the dominant behavior. He is basically alpha cat. But has some major issues with Phoenix. And since Phoenix has been hanging out in his sanctuary lately I am thinking he is marking it as his to send her the message loud and clear. But Phoenix doesn't care. If she wants to be somewhere she is going to be there...PERIOD!!!

FELIWAY!!!! Works great! Hope everything goes well at the vet.

Donna I was thinking the same thing. Guido was very upset when Pirate marked him. I asked about kitty prozac but I told him I didn't want to go there unless I really HAVE to. I told him others seem to have had some success with a collar well sprayed with feliway. So, when we go to the vet next week I will ask the doc for some. The vet is the only place I can get it as it isn't available to the general public but I know I can get one from him.

[Jessika]

You're already on the right path by bringing him to the vet to rule out any medical reasons. Sometimes environmental things, like the earthquake mentioned, can really freak them out for days. I'm not saying that is the cause but may be a factor in it that put him on edge initially. The feliway is definitely worth a try as well. I'm sorry I don't have many other suggestions for you other than those already mentioned... but wanted to say good luck at the vet!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that you'll be able to find a solution for Pirate. So I guess there's no way that you can keep Phoenix and Pirate separated. I'm having some issues with Pearl but luckily I can keep her separated from Colby if I need to. Good luck.