Cat Spraying: Why Cats Do It and How to Stop It – If you are a cat parent, you may have experienced cat behaviors like spraying or urinating outside of the litter box. It is not always easy to distinguish the two as symptoms because they are similar, and urinary issues in cats are complicated. Both behaviors may stem from underlying health or behavioral issues, so it’s important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out any medical causes. Understanding how to differentiate between these issues can assist your veterinarian in reaching a quicker diagnosis and treatment plan
What is cat spray?
When a cat sprays, it typically exhibits several behaviors. The cat will often sniff the area or rub against the surface, then back up to it and raise its tail. As the tail vibrates back and forth, the cat releases a small amount of urine. Additionally, the cat’s back feet may tread against the floor during this process. While cats can spray on horizontal surfaces, this is more commonly associated with normal urination. It’s important to note that sprayed urine contains extra pheromones, primarily secretions from the anal glands, making its odor much more pungent than that of regular urine.
Why Do Cats Spray?
There are many causes of cat spraying. Here are a few common reasons –
To communicate with other cats in the household.
Cats communicate with each other through urine spraying. Typically, cats are independent animals, and even if multiple cats are living together, they will look for spots to establish as their territory. If one cat perceives another as encroaching on her space or attempting to take her belongings, such as food, toys, cat trees, or litter boxes, she might spray urine.
To communicate with community cats.
Indoor cats that are near outdoor cats may also engage in spraying behavior. The presence of neighborhood cats can pose a territorial threat to an indoor cat, prompting her to spray as a way of signaling that the area is claimed. The intention behind this behavior is to deter the outside cat from lingering nearby.
Stress
Stress can also be a factor. Any alterations in a cat’s routine or surroundings can lead to stress. Some cats under stress might urinate outside their litter box, while others may spray urine on vertical surfaces within the home. Stress can stem from various factors, such as changes in a usual routine, the introduction of new pets or people, or even redecorating the living space.
To attract mates.
Urine spraying is more common in intact male cats. Intact male cats spray to attract mates or communicate with female cats in the area.
How to stop a cat from spraying?
Never punish your cat for spraying.
This will not decrease the spraying; it will only result in negative results, like your cat becoming fearful of you and more stressed. Here are a few tips that may stop this behavior if your cat is spraying.
Rule out current medical conditions.
If your cat is spraying, it is first advised to have your cat checked by a veterinarian to rule out a current medical problem. Your veterinarian will likely recommend blood work and a urinalysis. These tests help identify possible medical conditions that can be detected through them, including –
- Urine crystals or bladder stones
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney disease
Other conditions that cause inflammation of the urinary system.
Have your cat sprayed or neutered.
If you have a male or female cat, getting them spayed or neutered can also help reduce urine spraying.
Help decrease your cat’s stress.
Stress can cause cat spraying. To help your stressed cat, begin by recognizing and removing the stressors in your cat’s environment. Minor adjustments can lead to stress for your feline, such as altering their feeding schedule or repositioning their litter boxes. Additionally, you can utilize pheromone sprays and calming diffusers, and provide extra hiding spots and enhanced environments, like cat trees. Supplements that reduce anxiety can also aid in managing your cat’s stress. If you believe your cat is experiencing significant anxiety and these methods aren’t effective, consult your veterinarian about anxiety medications.
Address the dispute between cats.
- Anxiety between cats in a space can cause cat spraying. If spraying is a problem in your multi-cat household, make sure that every cat feels like she has the important resources available to be comfortable.
- Be aware of the number of litter boxes, food bowls, and separate areas; every cat should feel like their requirements are being met.
- Make sure you have many litter boxes, according to the cats. If you have two cats, you should have three boxes, and they should be in separate areas so one cat can not guard both boxes. Every cat should have their own eating area and bowl, and its own perch or cat tree.
- Always carefully introduce new cats to give the present cat a chance to adapt. If the stress between cats escalates into physical fights, consult your veterinarian for additional resources, including prescribed medications.
To keep neighborhood cats away from your yard, consider the following recommendations if your cat is spraying to deter them:
- Cover your windows with curtains or blinds to prevent your cat from seeing outside.
- Place diffusers in spaces where your cat has marked inside your house.
- Leverage white vinegar or citrus-based sprays in the area where community cats have sprayed.
Keep a log of your anti-spraying program.
Record the time and place of your cat’s spraying incidents, along with the steps you have taken to modify the behavior. This will help you track your progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies.
Conclusion
With the behavioral issues your cat might show, it is essential to never shout at or punish her. This can only cause a situation like spraying to get worse as she may become more stressed. Slowly, with time, you can help redirect poor behaviors and have the cute and cuddly cat you have always wanted.
FAQs
What is the purpose of cats spraying?
Cats spray to mark their space, communicate their existence to other cats, show stress or anxiety, or signal reproductive status, rather than for bad behavior.
Where does cat spray come from?
Cat spray is a mix of urine and other pheromones, mainly oily secretions from the anal glands. This makes it chemically different from normal cat urine.
Why did my cat spray without reason?
When this happens, it is typically a sign that your cat is anxious about something and feels a quick need to mark their area.
