It’s a common idea among pet owners that cats require low-maintenance care because they’re often seen as independent companions. However, they still need their owners’ time and attention.
Some cat owners may also need to spend extra time cleaning their living space apart from the usual litter box and sanitization duties. This is especially true when they notice a pungent smell in the homes.
Regular house cleaning is no match for the smell of cat spraying. This is a common and natural behavior in felines that often begins when they reach puberty. Feline urine marking involves a small amount of urine that contains higher amounts of hormones and other compounds.
While this is normal in cats, spraying or marking can make a home uninviting because of the lingering odor it leaves behind. Luckily, there are ways to prevent your cat’s territorial marking without negatively affecting them.
Why Do Cats Spray?
Cats spray or mark your home for various reasons. It could be due to their instinctual behavior, or it might be caused by a medical condition. They release a small amount of urine on surfaces vertically. These places include walls, doorframes, and furniture.
- Territorial Marking: Cats are territorial animals. They spray or mark to set boundaries and let other animals know that the area belongs to them. A cat may begin spraying indoors when they feel unsafe in their environment. It could also be triggered when a new pet arrives.
- Mating Behavior: Unneutered felines mark to attract other cats when they’re in heat or when they reach puberty. Male cats are more inclined to display spraying behavior because they don’t go in heat. They are always ready to mate and their instincts become more active when a female cat in heat is nearby.
- Stress and Anxiety: Cats are sensitive to changes in their environment. Rearranged furniture, new pets, human guests, or relocating to an unfamiliar place can easily cause stress in cats. This emotion can trigger cat spraying behavior.
- Medical Issues: Certain cat medical conditions, like urinary tract infections and kidney diseases, can trigger inappropriate spraying. The behavior might not be marking at all, but a sign that the cat is having difficulty urinating.
How to Stop Cat Spraying in the House
While it’s understandable why your pet needs to spray, it may be best to prevent this behavior so you can live harmoniously with your feline companion. Here are some ways to stop your cat from spraying.
Spay/Neuter Your Cat
Spraying is often triggered by reproductive hormones, which are present when a cat is still intact. This is why neutering your cat is considered one of the most effective ways to stop spraying behavior.
Cat neutering involves the removal of the reproductive organs. In female cats, the procedure is called spaying (ovariohysterectomy), which involves removing the uterus and ovaries. For male cats, the surgery is called castration wherein the testicles are removed.
This veterinary procedure is not mandatory. However, it’s sometimes needed for cats with reproductive cancers or infections.
Cats can undergo this quick surgical procedure even when they aren’t sick to eliminate the risks of reproductive diseases. It’s also done to prevent unwanted pregnancies, as well as to prevent spraying and other hormone-driven behavior that can cause harm to cats.
Minimize Stress and Anxiety
Another effective way to reduce spraying behavior is preventing stress and anxiety triggers in your cat. While it’s impossible to eliminate them completely, there are many ways to help them get through the stressful situation.
One example is using pheromone diffusers to help make your cat feel secure in your home. You may also dedicate a spot for them to hide or get a cat tree where they can climb and perch. Maintaining a consistent routine every day can reduce their stress, too.
Improve Litter Box Conditions
Some cats show their dissatisfaction with their litter box setup by spraying. This triggers stress as well, so make sure to always clean their sandbox and place it where it’s easily accessible.
Keep the litter box in a quiet area that’s away from loud noises and busy spaces. You should also observe if your cat dislikes the litter you’re using. Experiment with different types to know what they prefer.
Reduce Territory Conflicts
Outdoor cats or strays may sometimes stress our or threaten your cat’s claim on their territory despite being indoors.
If you find cats outside your home, you may want to close your blinds to block your cat’s view. If you’re bringing home a new pet, make sure to have separate feeding bowls, beddings, and scratching posts for them.
Use Positive Reinforcement
It’s important to remember that punishing your cat for spraying is never a good option. It increases their stress and can make the behavior worse.
You can provide a scratching post where your cat can mark their scent. When they do so, reward and praise your pet. Consistently doing this can limit them to only marking the alternative you have offered.
Clean Sprayed Areas Thoroughly
Cats that are neutered as adults can still spray out of habit. If you have decided to neuter your pet, you should clean the areas where they marked thoroughly.
Common home cleaning solutions might not do a good job at eliminating the smell. Opt for a pet-safe enzyme cleaner that helps remove the odor by breaking down the urine on a surface. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners because they can mimic urine smell and encourage more marking.
When to See a Veterinarian
Most veterinarians advise pet owners to schedule routine vet visits at least once a year. Through this, your vet can diagnose illnesses early before they become worse.
You can also consult a vet if you notice these symptoms in your cat that’s exhibiting spraying behavior:
- Difficulty peeing or frequently producing little urine
- Presence of blood in urine
- Excessive licking of their genital areas
- Loss of appetite and weakness
- Drinking more water than usual
Take your cat to the vet as soon as you can so they can accurately diagnose your cat’s condition and provide immediate treatment.
If your cat is already neutered and still continues to spray around your home, there could be a medical issue as well. In rare cases, neuter surgeries can fail when a part of the reproductive organ still remains in your cat’s body. This triggers the body to still produce hormones when they shouldn’t.
When the vet can’t find any medical explanation for your cat’s continuous spraying behavior, you can consult with a feline behavior specialist. There could be issues in your cat that should be addressed through training or behavior therapy.
Conclusion
Cat spraying is normal and a completely natural behavior in most domesticated cats. However, it can be a nuisance as homes can be filled with cat urine odors that are more pungent than usual.
However, with the proper approach and medical intervention, it can be managed and controlled. If the problems persist even after addressing the common causes effectively, you can always consult a veterinarian or a behavior specialist to get professional guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age do cats start spraying?
Cats usually begin spraying or marking their territory when they reach puberty. This is usually when they turn 6 months old. It can happen earlier or later for some cats.
2. Can neutered male cats still spray?
Yes, neutered male cats can still spray due to many reasons. One of these is when they have undergone surgery, when they’re adults, or if they have built this habit. Another reason could be stress or anxiety because of environmental changes or other triggers.
3. What are the medical reasons for cat spraying?
Some medical conditions that can cause cat spraying include bladder stones, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or other health issues that are causing urinary inflammation.
4. How do I stop cat spraying permanently?
Neutering is the best way to stop a cat spraying permanently. This surgical procedure is best done before the cat reaches puberty so that they won’t be exhibiting the behavior in the first place. Additionally, keeping them happy, healthy, and stress-free can help in ensuring they won’t be marking your home.
5. Do female cats spray or mark?
Yes, female cats also spray or mark. It’s less common in females than in male cats. Usually, females spray or mark when they’re in heat. They do this to attract males. Other factors like stress can also trigger this behavior.