Cat Urine Spraying

Urine spraying is a common form of cat destructive behavior that cat owners try to control or at least minimize. Cat urine spraying is an instinctual behavior. Cats are territorial. Urine spraying is a cat’s way of marking its territory. The act of urine spraying is not an intentionally destructive behavior.

The incidents of cat urine spraying increase with the number of cats in the household. Presumably, the cats in a multiple cat household will have an increased need to mark their territory. The urine spraying can foster a sense of competition for territory among the cats in the household.

All cats can have urine spraying behavior. Some people think that only unneutered male cats have this behavior. Altered male cats and female cats can also spray. Neutering or spaying a cat can decrease the cat’s urge to spray.

Urine spraying is different from urinating outside the litterbox. Urine spraying is generally done on a vertical surface such as a wall. Urinating outside the litterbox is usually done on the floor or other horizontal surface. Urinating outside the litterbox may be a sign that the litterbox is not clean enough or there are not enough litterboxes for a multiple cat household.

Cat urine spraying can be worsened by anxiety. Paying a lot of attention to the cat, showing the cat affection, and following a routine like feeding at regular times can help reduce anxiety. Thoroughly clean any spots that have been sprayed. A spot that has been sprayed by urine encourages more urine spraying.

Urine spraying can be triggered by seeing a stray cat outdoors. If the cat enjoys sitting at a window, the cat owner may want to encourage the cat to sit at a window where they are less likely to see a stray cat. If there is a window that often reveals the presence of a stray cat and cat urine spraying is a problem, the cat owner may want to keep that window less accessible to the cat or covered by blinds. The cat owner can encourage a cat to sit at another window with the placement of a cat perch at another window.