un-neutered toms spraying

[mandimoo]

just over 24 hours ago we adopted a young un-neutered tom cat that we think is approx 9 months old. so far, he has not sprayed anything, but it looks like they start to do this around 6 months old, so.... is he just not doing it because his surroundings are unfamiliar? do you think when he settles he will start? not that i want him to, but financially i could do with not having to take him to be done for a couple of weeks.

[Schutzengel]

Mandimoo. Tomcats spray to mark their territory. As I believe you have an older cat, it's not very likely that the younger cat would attempt to mark out the house as his territory. What facility does the younger cat have for weeing, has he got a litter tray, and does he use it if so. If as you say you have only just got him, you probably don't want to let him outside just yet, at least until he is settled and recognises your house as home. Neutering him as soon as possible is a good idea, but as long as he's not having accidents in the house, a couple of weeks won't make any difference. Hope all goes well. Schutz.

[Kleiber]

I agree with Schutz. I've just been adopted by a 5 to 8 yr old tom (we're not sure how old he is, but the vet & I have had a good guess!). He was un-neutered when he moved in but I had him "done" last week. Be assured, when you do have your wee lad done, the smell of tom-cat pee will be gone in about 3 or 4 days. He may still spray, but it won't pong! My dear little Monty (now, sadly, gone over the Rainbow Bridge) was neutered at 6 months, and although he still scent-marked (mainly outside, bless him!), there was no nasty 'niff! Get your wee man done as soon as you can, not only for the sake of your olfactory glands, but for the sake of him and all the local females whose owners can't be bothered to get them spayed!! Good luck, love, K x