Cat spraying is a behavior programmed by Mother Nature. Urine
marking is one method cats use to advertise their availability
for mating. In most instances, having your cat neutered
or spayed usually 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.
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 may be really upsetting your 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.
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 to 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.
Treating all the urine marked areas involves
cleaning with 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 also find that tin 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.
It’s 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.
Some of these methods are also effective when dealing with
inappropriate elimination areas.
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.
