What is my cat doing?

by Viola Howard
(Stoney Fork, KY)

I have a male cat that is almost 3 and has been neutered since he was about 6 months old. Lately he is lifting his tail and shaking it vigorously then stopping. Nothing is coming out but he acts as if he is trying to spray. Is this indeed what he is trying to do. he did it last night when I came in from being outside. He backed up and shook his tail. He did that the other day to the cabinet. If this is indeed what he is trying to do will something come out eventually??...Lastly what can i do about this?

Answer by KAte
Hi
Even neutered cats will spray from time to time to leave their scent. Even my old female cat would do it from time to time and she had been spayed all of her long life. So yes he may well be trying to spray.

The fact that nothing is coming out my also suggest that he may have a anal gland blockage which may be causing some discomfort for him, it is difficult to say.

keep an eye on him and see if he starts to lick himself more in that area or shows other signs of discomfort. other than that there is not much you can do, this behavior id he is trying to spray is instinctual.

best wishes Kate

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