What is Spraying?
Some cat owners are familiar with this scene: the cat backs up toward a vertical surface, holds up its tail and sprays urine in several short bursts. That cat is not simply urinating outside his litter box, but rather marking territory with urine. The difference between regular urination and spraying is in the position and choice of location – when urinating, a cat uses a squatting position on horizontal surfaces.
Spraying is not a litter box problem. A cat can have a spraying problem while at the same time properly using his litter box for defecating and urinating. The distinction is important – spraying has different causes and needs to be dealt with differently. If you think you may be dealing with litterbox avoidance, please read this article: Litterbox Problems in Cats – The Ultimate Guide.
Please note: cats may suffer from medical conditions that make them urinate outside the litter box. If you encounter any problem that involves urinating outside the litter box (spraying or otherwise), always consult your veterinarian! Some of these conditions may be life threatening if not treated in time.
Why Do Cats Spray?
Cats are territorial creatures. They may use a variety of signals to mark their territory and set clear boundaries to other cats. Feline marking codes include scratch marks, scent rubbed off their skin, uncovered feces, and urine sprayed in strategic locations.
It is perfectly normal for unaltered males to make territorial claims by spraying. This behavior begins with sexual maturity and is triggered by hormonal changes. With time, however, it can become an inherent part of the cat’s behavioral repertoire.
Females in heat also tend to spray. This is apparently a form of announcement. The female lets the males in her vicinity know that she’s in heat by releasing special scents in her urine and spraying it in key locations.
Spraying can occur even with neutered males and females. Some people prefer to wait and neuter a male cat after he has reached sexual maturity. By then, spraying may become a fixed behavior – the cat will spray simply out of habit.
Spraying is connected with territorial marking. A cat may sometimes begin to spray when he or she perceives a territorial threat. This threat may be a new cat or dog, or possibly feral cats that come near the house. Often, the threat is less obvious – the cat is generally insecure, or is overstressed for some reason, and reacts by spraying.
How to Deal with Spraying
There are several things you can do to try and solve the problem:
The first thing you should do is have the cat examined by a vet. Any problem that involves changes in urinating habits may indicate one of several medical conditions that need immediate veterinary attention. Further actions should be taken only after the vet gives your cat a clean bill of health. If the cat is unaltered, you should get it neutered as soon as possible. In many cases, this will completely solve the problem. If you suspect that the reason for the spraying pattern is some perceived threat from another cat or dog, analyze the problem and try to accommodate your cat with the space and privacy it needs. If the problem has to do with cats that are outside the house, you should minimize your cat’s exposure to those cats. Sometimes spraying is a reaction to general stress not necessarily related to territorial issues. You should try to lower the cat’s stress by maintaining routine and keeping his environment relaxed and calm. More about managing stress in cats:How to Tell if Your Cat is Stressed Out
Six Surefire Strategies to Reduce Stress in Cats
Potential Stressors in Cats – The Ultimate Checklist Never punish your cat for spraying. Never hit the cat or rub its nose in the urine. Cats cannot be taught by punishment. In fact, punishing the cat will probably cause him more stress, thus making the problem worse. The smell of urine may encourage the cat to spray again on the same spot. You should clean the stain thoroughly by using special products that completely neutralize any odors rather than just covering them up. Avoid products that contain ammonia, since these may actually remind the cat of the smell of urine. There is a special product called Feliway, which can be very effective when dealing with problem spraying. Make sure you read all the instructions and use it properly to get the best results. If the problem persists, try to consult an animal behaviorist. Spraying can be a difficult problem to solve. It’s better to call in an expert quickly rather than let the problem get worse. Your vet can usually refer you to a local cat behaviorist. In some cases a behaviorist or a vet will recommend a course of medications to calm the cat down and reduce its stress level. Comments? Leave them using the form below. Questions? Please use the cat forums for those!