Spraying Cats: Why They Do It & What to Do
Spraying is when a cat marks different parts of your house with their urine. Cats communicate through scent, and spraying is simply one way of many that cats use to communitcate with each other and, when in the home, with you. This is a behaviour most common in unspayed cats, which is one of many the reasons why speying is very important if you’re going to have a furry friend.
But what happens when a cat who is speyed starts to spray?
If your cat is spraying, the very first thing you need to do book a vet appointment. A check up at your local vet should always be your first move when your pet is displaying new and concerning behaviours. Keep an eye out for blood in the urine, or any notable changes in their faeces. Even if you’re sure it’s not health related, a general health check up is still a necessity.
Changes in urination are often a result of changes to a cat’s environment. Cat’s use urine marking as a form of indirect communication. If they’re stressed from household changes, separation anxiety, or are experiencing territory insecurity, this can manifest through spraying.
If any health issue has been ruled out, the best way to get to the bottom of this behavioural issue is to start taking note of the when and the where.
The When
When the spraying started, were there any obvious changes in the environment or the household? These can range from a new child or pet, moving house, or even a change in your schedule or routine. Cats are very sensitive to the on goings in and around the house. Anything from an argument with your partner to buying a new couch will affect your cat. No change is too small to take note of when the spraying started.
Are there specific times during the day or night when your cat sprays? Connecting when your cat sprays to what is going on at that moment, or what you and your cat’s schedual is at that time is very important.
The Where
Where your cat is spraying is the most obvious indicator of what is upsetting them. In every area your cat has peed, put down some tape or other indicator of where they marked, and pretty soon you’ll have a map of the problem area. If there’s a ring of urine spots around a certain object (such as your couch) or in a specific area (such as your bedroom) then the problem will be connected to that place or object.
Perimeter Marking
Perimeter marking is when your cat is spraying around the edges of your house. This is often because there is a problem going on outside, such as an outdoor or stray cat coming onto your property.
Provide Extra Litter Boxes
While you should always provide at least two litter boxes per cat, this sometimes may not be enough. Placing extra litter boxes on top of urine marked areas and in rooms your cat sprays in the most often may help in encouraging your cat to use the litter box instead.
Extra Play Time
Playing with your cat will help redirect their stress into a more positive and less destructive activity. Choosing to play in or around a problem area can help build a better association with that part of the house.
Sight Blockers
If the problem is coming from outside, perhaps another cat that wandered into your yard, or a dog on a walk, consider putting up sight blockers around your house. Sight blockers include closing window blinds, as well as closing any doors that lead outside. If the problem outside is only visible in one place, such as a room or certain window, try restricting your cat’s access to that place. Sight blockers will prevent your cat from seeing cats or other creatures and ojects that wander by your house and your yard. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.
Catnip
Using catnip on objects that have been woefully targeted by your cat could also help build a positive association with that object and dessentivise them from spraying on it. Catnip is available in both liquid and dried form at any pet retailer.
Pheromones
Spraying may also be the result of a stressed or fearful cat. If you’ve welcomed a new kitty into your home or made and big changes, your cat may be communicating their insecurity through spraying. Sticking to a routine and building your cat’s confidence through play and attention may be enough to curb this behaviour, however, you may also consider a pheromone spray.
Cat’s rub their scent on everything to establish territory, and help them remain calm and confident. Pheromone sprays, such as Feliway, work the same way, except instead of rubbing your cat all over your new couch, you can spray it instead.
Pheromone sprays are over the counter at any pet retailer, however it would be advisable to discuss the use of peromone sprays with your vet before introducing them into your home.
Things To Avoid
Avoid using any cleaning product that contains ammonia, as cat urine also contains ammonia, and can incentivise your cat to continue spraying in areas you have already cleaned.
Most importantly, do NOT punish your cat for spraying. Negative reinforcement will neither work to prevent future incidents, and can in fact increase your cat’s stress, potentially leading to more spraying.