1st May 2006

I have a five-year-old neutered male cat who has recently started smelling of cat spray. Is there anything we can do?

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Question:

I have a five-year-old neutered male cat who has recently started smelling of cat spray. The timing ties in with the new addition of a female NFC kitten. The strange thing is that nothing in the house seems to smell, just the cat himself - frequently and sometimes quite badly. I have never caught him spraying, I guess he must be doing it outside. understand that the spraying is connected to the change in his lifestyle (although he seems content in himself, just mildly inconvenienced) - what I do not understand is how and why he smells. Unfortunately it is making us less inclined to cuddle him, which could be compounding the problem. s there anything we can do? It's not the five-month-old kitten spraying him, is it? Any suggestions? I don't want to upset him further by bathing him! Thanks.

Answer:

From your description of the smell that Baileys appears to be producing I do not think it is due to him spraying in the house or as a result of the type of smell that an entire male tom cat will make. he answer may lie elsewhere. When cats have bad gum disease and severe oral infections they will get very bad halitosis. This can be a very unpleasant smell that is extremely strong and pervading. If he then grooms himself he will pass the smell onto his coat, which would make him smell and not the house. lternatively, some ear infections can cause very unpleasant smells, so this may be another possibility. You should take Bailey to be examined by your vet. I doubt very much that the new kitten has been the instigator of the smell problems.