I have had some spraying/peeing problems with cats, none of which were declawed. Some have been male and some female, some neutered and some not. This was mainly due to environmental issues such as me going on holidays for too long (their cat-sitter had to deal with this), another cat being introduced or illness. I believe that there is a difference between a cat peeing and spraying and I think the reasons for doing either of these are different. I have always found spraying tends to be a result of insecurity, usually due to other animals or humans being around - particularly cats.

I feel that I must point out to felixowner that "rubbing a cat's nose in it" is not punishing. Punishing implies physical or emotional pain, of which this is neither. The "growling and rubbing nose the nose in it" method is no less severe than a kitten's own mother would employ. It is purely a method to force a cat to learn through association. What I do NOT believe in is any physical pain or screaming at an animal, all of my pets "know" when I am not happy with them purely by the tone of my voice.

I also agree with felixowner in that you can't tell a cat off hours after it has knocked your favourite vase of the shelf because it doesn't understand what you're trying to tell it. There is a subtle difference between that and peeing, pooping, or spraying because cats can recognise their own smell and will associate their "telling off" with this.

These comments are all made with a friendly debating attitude