Cat spraying is one method cats use to advertise their availability
for mating
In most instances, having your cat neutered or spayed
helps stop the spraying problem.
Felines are territorial animals. Although your
cat is well fed and cared for, it will still feel the need to
guard its home base.
Marking its territory, including you and members of your household,
requires that people or objects must be coated in your cat’s
own unique and comforting scent. In other words, you must smell
like your cat.
While many cats find rubbing the scent glands that are located
on their face and paws, to be efficient for scent marking, others
may take more drastic measures … especially
during mating season.
In some cases, a neutered male or spayed female will still spray.
What is the difference between cat spraying and actual urinating?
The amount of urine (pee) is usually a big indicator.
The location of the urine mark is another. If
you don't actually catch your cat in the act, you may have to
rely on these visual clues:
... if you find a large amount or a puddle
of urine, on the floor, or soaking into a carpet, your cat has
likely urinated.
This could simply be a lapse in litter box training. On the
other hand, this could indicate that your cat has a health
problem, perhaps very serious. It might be wise to give
your vet a call.
... If the urine is on vertical surfaces,
and appears in the same places over and over, then it is likely
scent marking. Cats do not spray to empty their
bladders, so the urine will appear in tiny amounts.
When your cat is spraying,
he or she will usually back up to the spot, their tail twitching,
back paws marching, and a spray of urine is ejected. Some cats
may also squat or semi-squat. Both male and female cats spray.
This cheetah is spraying or urine marking a tree.
How do you stop a cat from spraying ?
First, restrict your cat's
access to the urine marked area or else he or she may
go back for another round.
Secondly, treat all the urine marked
areas using a mild cleanser and rinsing it well.
Although, the cleaned area might smell odor free to you, cats
with their super noses, will still detect it. That is why it
is necessary to completely soak the area with an enzymatic
cleaner which will consume and eliminate the odor causing
bacteria.
Cats don’t like heavy perfumes or citrus
scents. After the enzymatic cleaner has dried, spray a scented
deodorizer at the site. Essential oils such
as lemon, orange or other plant scents mixed with distilled
water should work well.
Finally, block your cat’s
access to the area completely. This can be accomplished
by using double-sided sticky tape or moving a large piece of
furniture over or in front of the area.
You may find that tin or aluminum foil placed
over the area or taped over the affected walls may work too.
Your cat will not like the sound of the urine hitting the foil.
If it's a large area, try a space blanket.
Is your cat stressed?
Is there a bully cat picking on your cat (which is why my neutered
male started spraying). New people, pets, routines or moving
to a new home can be very upsetting to a cat.
A new home may have new smells - including those of previous
pets. These odors may trigger an outburst of urine marking in
your confused cat who thinks it must defend its territory against
an unseen intruder. A neighborhood cat spraying outdoors may also
upset your kitty.
It's very
helpful if you can identify what is creating anxiety
in your pet. Herbal therapies such as Bach
Flower Rescue Remedy for pets may soothe and calm your anxious
cat.
And in case you didn't know,
this behavior is not bad, according to cats.
They are simply defending their own …
you, their family, home, and food source.
Punishing your pet for this behavior will only make the
problem worse. Your cat will become even more fearful about
its territory and may begin spraying more areas of your home.
When your cat feels more secure about its ranking and territory,
the spraying behavior should end.
