Cat spraying has to be differentiated from peeing outside of the litter box . It should not be confused with a miss in toilet training. It is a normal cat behaviour.
Spraying usually takes place at ankle height, which distinguishes it from a litter pan problem. Cat spraying is when they back up to a surface, and tail twitching, mark the surface with their urine. When a cat is urinating outside of the litter box, the cat will squat to urinate on a horizontal surface. Inappropriate elimination is not the same as cat spraying.
Cat spraying is also more common among male cats than it is among female cats. Non-neutered cats are more likely to spray than are spayed cats. Cat spraying can also happen when a cat is stressed, anxious or territorial. Male and female cats that are not neutered mark their territory as a way of calling another cat.
Urine spraying is a normal, innate territory-claiming behavior that has nothing to do with your cat’s hygiene. Though both male and female cats will spray, the behavior is most common in non-neutered males, and in multi-cat households. Urine marking is a communication system for cats. Cat urine has pheromones which are chemical substances that tell other cats certain messages. Do not confuse spraying with behavior that might indicate urinary infections and digestive issues that cause uncontrolled urinating.
Neutering or spaying a kitten when young can prevent spraying issues down the road. Your vet will advise you on the best age to spay your kitten.
Stress is another trigger for cat spraying. To lower this stress, maintain a home routine, feeding your cat at the same time each day and keeping their bowls and litter pans in the same place. Stress can also be a cause of cat urine problems starting up. Cats can get stressed for many.
Clean sprayed areas thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner. What will not work is punishing your cat after the fact.
Cleaning the area with an enzymatic cleaner so the cat is not attracted back to the same location helps. Placing plastic or aluminum foil over the area, if you can, can work very well. Cleaning alone does little to stop spraying. Cats that mark in one or two particular areas may cease if the function of the area is changed.
