Cat Spraying

Discovering cat urine in your home can be a major nuisance. Cats may urinate outside of their litter boxes for a wide range of reasons, such as stress, frustration, or anxiety. Medical issues can also result in accidents in the home; therefore, it is important to have your pet examined by a professional if she begins to display a change in behavior. If medical conditions are ruled out, your cat could be exhibiting urine marking behavior.

What Is Urine Marking?

Territory is a very important subject to cats, especially in and around their home where they like to feel safe and secure. Some cats will ‘mark’ their territory using the only resource that they have available to them, their urine. There are several unique characteristics that pet owners can use to distinguish urine marking or ‘spraying’ from litter box problems.

• Urine marking typically occurs on vertical surfaces. When cats spray, they typically back up to a vertical surface, such as the side of a sofa, and stand with their body erect and their tail extended straight in the air. They then spray a small amount of urine into the surface, often twitching while they’re spraying.
• Urine marking typically involves a small amount of urine. Unlike standard urination in which a cat would generally release all of the urine from its bladder at once, urine mark deposits often have less volume.
• Urine marking typically involves urine that smells pungent. It is important for the urine emitted during spraying to have a strong smell to ward off other cats and animals. That is why the urine emitted during spraying contains extra communication chemicals that smell highly pungent to humans and unwelcoming to other animals.

Why Do Cats Spray?

There are many reasons why a cat may spray, including the following:

1. To Communicate with Other Cats

Cats may spray as a way to communicate with other cats, whether that be cats within the same household or cats in the neighborhood. Cats are fairly solitary creatures and even cats who have lived together their entire lives may spray as a way to claim a certain area of the home as their own. Cats may also spray to warn other cats that a particular toy, litter box, food bowl, or other item belongs to them.

2. To Attract Mates

While spraying is most common in male, intact cats, both neutered or spayed male and female cats may also spray as a way to attract mates. Spraying can be a way to communicate to other cats that they would like to mate after reaching sexual maturity, or around six months of age. This behavior is especially normal in cats that spend a lot of time outdoors.

3. As a Response to Stress, Fear, or Anxiety

Changes in normal routine, a new person in the household, or other triggers can cause cats to exhibit odd behavior like spraying. Some cats will spray for reasons that you may not realize are stressful to them, such as construction or remodeling occurring in a room of the home.

Do Both Male and Female Cats Spray?

There is a common misconception that only male cats spray. In reality, both male and female cats are capable of spraying although males are much more likely than females to display this behavior. Some people also believe that spaying or neutering a cat will stop their pet from spraying. While fixing your cat can sometimes be effective in stopping spraying behavior, there is no guarantee that your pet will stop spraying even after getting fixed.

How to Stop Spraying in Cats

Your cat is spraying as a way to communicate. It is important to approach the subject carefully to avoid putting your cat under any more stress. The first step is to track down the underlying problem. If your cat is feeling intimidated by other cats in the neighborhood, consider leaving your cat indoors more often or shooing away neighborhood cats that may trespass in your yard.

If you recently got new furniture or other items that may cause your cat stress or fear, try to slowly introduce your cat to these new items. Try rubbing a soft cloth onto your cat’s face to pick up their natural pheromones. Next, wipe the cloth onto the piece of furniture or another item to transfer your cat’s scent and help him feel more secure about his surroundings.

It can also be useful to provide your cat with a source of stress relief. Spend more one-on-one time bonding with your pet. This could be as simple as allowing your cat to lay on your lap as you watch TV and pet her head. If your cat does spray in the house, do your best to clean the area well to remove the strong scent. Avoid the use of heavily-scented cleaners and instead opt for an enzyme-based, neutralizing cleaning solution.

If your cat continues to spray in the house despite your best attempts to stop the behavior, it may be time for a trip to the vet. Your vet will perform an in-depth examination of your cat and may even run some tests to gain a solid diagnosis. Your vet will then speak to you about treatment options, such as anti-anxiety medications to help reduce your pet’s stress levels.