brianj12 wrote:
Some thoughts on this...
1. Nobody can make any guarantees that your cat won't spray, male or female! This is just one of many issues you may have to work through as a cat guardian, so if you commit to this you have to commit to working through it, if it happens. Some cats have medical issues which make them go outside the box. Some have personalities where they just stress about everything that causes them to spray, and then cat owners often can un-wittingly cause a problem with spraying by providing a stressful or territorially challenged environment, or providing insufficient places that your cat deems "sufficient" to meet his elimination needs. Honestly, if this is at the top of your list of concerns, perhaps the first question to your breeder ought to be something along the lines of: which if your kittens has the best litterbox habits?
2. The environment that you provide your cat will influence the probability of him/her spraying. Things that you have some control over are how stressed out your cat is, and how territorially threatened your cat is. So read up on that, learn more about it, and you lessen the chance of spraying happening, help "fix" it if/when it does, and provide a better environment for your cat in general. "Total Cat Mojo" (or many similar books) is a pretty good place to start.
3. All of that said, I have to admit that I have a bias towards female cats, and part of it is the perceived increased risk of spraying. But that's not based on any science or statistical analysis that I've seen, mostly it's based on experiences I had as a kid with indoor/outdoor kitties that my family had. Just a silly bias for the most part. I may, in the future, get male cats.
4. How to clean it up when/if it happens: First thing is get a black light, and second is getting special enzymatic cleaner. They sell that stuff at any pet store. Nature's Miracle, works well. When buying one, make sure it specifically mentions cats, enzymatic, and urine. If it doesn't mention those, be skeptical! But unfortunately, not all messes can really be cleaned up. Getting it off of a wall is easy, getting it off a rug is usually do-able (they sell enzymatic carpet cleaner that you can use in a bissell for example), getting it out of something like a pillow or mattress or sofa is often impossible, once the pee has really sunk into it.
I think this response is the most thought out and informative one you can get! I have had cats my entire life - brought a dog into a home of 3 cats and both one male and one female sprayed - it was horrible. Then now with my bengal siblings my girl has marked her territory once and what seems to me has had an accident once. My boy has peed in a box one - but they are still only 1 so I chalked it up to them being little and living in the house for just a few months they were still getting used to their litter robot.
My main piece of advice is to get 2 at the same time - being new to bengals as well, as I look back just a year ago I couldn't imagine only having one. I work from home, but they still need a TON of play time. A sibling can help with that big time - PLUS they are besties & major cuddle bugs so I suggest it no matter what :)
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But I'm pretty certain that one's him, from facial markings.
And it'll be interesting to see how my cat and the Bengal get along... I am considering how to put aside more money in case I need to get another Bengal to give my cat peace.
