Spraying - Urine Marking In The House
Cats are usually meticulous in their toileting habits and seldom soil or mark indoors. It is not surprising that when your cat does do this you may be upset and unsure about what to do. Understanding the reasons why cats can sometimes soil in the house may help to tackle the problem. In most cases this occurs because the cat is anxious or unsettled.
How do I know if my cat is spraying?Your cat uses both urine and faeces (droppings) to mark its territory. This gives information to other cats about the sex, age, state of health, etc of your cat and warns them to keep away. It is also reassuring for your cat to be surrounded by its own familiar smell. When a cat is scent marking with urine it does not squat. A spraying cat stands up facing away from the object it is marking and squirts just a few drops of urine backwards. The tail is raised vertically and the tip will probably flick from side to side. The reasons for a cat spraying indoors (using urine as a marker) are quite different from those that make it urinate indoors and it is important to differentiate between the two.
Will my cat spray?All cats, male or female, neutered or un-neutered are likely to spray outdoors. Un-neutered animals are far more likely to spray. Having any cat neutered will reduce the risk of problems but spraying may still occur for emotional rather than sexual reasons.
Why doesn't my cat use its litter tray?On some occasions a fully housetrained cat causes problems, not through spraying but because it has decided to use somewhere other than its litter tray to go to the toilet. This usually means that it is not happy using the litter tray. Cats are choosy where they relieve themselves and like somewhere clean and quiet. If the litter is dirty, the tray too close to the cat's feeding or sleeping area or in full view of the rest of the room your cat may refuse to use the tray. Sometimes you just need to put in a deeper layer of litter or change the brand used. This behaviour is quite different from spraying.
Can spraying be caused by an illness?Indoor spraying occurs due to psychological disturbance in your cat. Your vet may want to check your cat for various conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, bladder problems, etc which may cause it to urinate in the wrong place at the wrong time, but these diseases will not make your cat spray.
Will punishment solve the problem?It is only natural to be annoyed when you find that your cat has soiled inside your home. But shouting at it or rubbing its nose in the mess will not stop it happening again. Your cat will not understand why you are upset. It is likely that your cat sprayed because it was frightened or insecure, so punishment will only make this worse.
Where will my cat spray?Cats usually spray against a vertical surface at the entrance to the house or room - door frames are a
favourite spot. They can mark anywhere such as pieces of furniture, curtains or household equipment.
Sometimes cats will mark any unfamiliar object which has been brought into the home and occasionally even people may be sprayed!
