Cat spraying is one of the most common issues faced by pet owners of indoor felines. This behaviour is often attributed to a cat’s urge to mark her territory.
However, other factors can cause spraying, which we will discuss in this article. As you continue reading, we will also share some tips on how to stop a cat from spraying.
How Prevalent Is Spraying in Cats?
Regardless of the gender and cat breed, felines find the inclination to spray as part of their normal behaviour.
The occurrence is higher in males, especially the intact ones, than the neutered ones. This is believed to be caused by sexual hormones that reveal their reproductive status.
Research indicated that there’s a significant decline in spraying after cat neutering and spaying, with 90% in males and 95% in females. The number of cats in a household is also another matter to consider.
Additionally, the chance of spraying drastically increases if there are ten or more felines in one household.
Why Do Cats Spray: 6 Potential Causes
Here are 6 various reasons why cats spray and tips on how to deal with them:
1. Marking One’s Territory
A male cat spraying in the house means he is establishing his territory within his home. Female felines may exhibit this behaviour for the same reasons as well. It is one of the signs that your cat needs to be neutered or spayed.
If you have one or more cats, you need to establish equal positive relationships with each of them. Make sure that all cats get along well with each other.
They may eat together, but they should be provided with food in separate bowls. The more they feel secure with each other, the fewer chances they have to engage in spraying.
2. Feeling Threatened
Stray cats roaming outside the vicinity can trigger cat spraying. Your feline friend might feel threatened by their presence.
The most common place where she will likely spray is in a cat flap. This is to discourage interlopers from invading her territory.
However, if the roaming cat is more dominant than yours, your furry friend may spray uncontrollably as she is stimulated by fear. The roaming cat may enter your house whilst you are away and will most likely bully your pet.
This can be avoided by using a magnetic cat flap. How does it work? It can only be opened by a specialised magnetic collar worn by your feline. This will also prevent other stray animals from entering your house.
3. A Mating Initiation
Intact cats are most likely the culprits that spray all over your house. The females may spray to attract males when they are in heat. They usually release strong-smelling urine.
If you have no plans to rear a breeding queen, it is best to get your feline spayed as early as possible.
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4. A Result of Nervousness
Some cats are nervous for no reason at all. This cat behaviour problem may have been elicited by the following factors:
- Recently rehomed
- Previously wild or feral
- Bad experiences
- Exposure to other aggressive cats
Assist your cat who is suffering from anxiety. There are homeopathic treatments that can help calm and relieve anxiety in cats.
Calming herbs can also be given to cats, such as catnip, chamomile, kava kava, and St. John’s wort.
Before proceeding with these suggested treatments, it is best to bring your feline to a veterinarian first to confirm the situation. The vet is an expert to aid you with such necessary processes.
5. Seeking for Attention
Cat spraying is a feline’s creative way of saying she wants to spend more time with you. So make sure to set aside a few hours to give her the attention she needs. Interact with her positively through petting, brushing, and playing games.
Further, to avoid having a bored feline friend, simply follow this cat care tip: give her toys that are physically and mentally challenging. These toys can be fake mice and feather balls. There are also different cat furniture that allows them to climb and perch on top when the mood calls.
6. A Response to Stress
Cats are creatures of habit. Thus, when interruptions or further intrusions occur, they may react badly. Here are the aspects that could be stressing your cat:
- The presence of a new pet or baby in the family.
- Conflicts with other pet animals in the household.
- Invasion of stray cats.
- Changes in furniture placement, decoration, or extension.
- Inappropriate forms of punishment.
- Absence of owners or change of working schedules.
Marking its territory is one way of coping with stress.
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How to Deal With the Stink of Cat Spraying
Now that we have demystified the puzzling behaviour of cat spraying, let us deal with the odour it emits. The best way to keep your house clean and fresh is to prevent spraying before it starts. But there are also ways to get rid of the spraying smell.
1. Clean the Sprayed Area.
Carefully clean the area where your cat has sprayed. If it is already dry, empty a cup of cold water on the dried area, then wipe it with a towel.
2. Use Cleaning Products.
Odour control products are made to counter cat spray odour, although any product will do. Be sure not to purchase cleaning products containing ammonia.
The smell of ammonia encourages cats to mark that area repeatedly. The enzymatic cleaner is a better option. There are usually instructions placed on the bottle on how to apply it safely.
3. Repeatedly Clean Spray Stains.
If the smell persists, repeat the process and ensure that the spot is thoroughly clean and dry. It may be hard to find out the exact spots where your felines have sprayed.
If this is the case, you may use a portable black light, which could help detect the stain. Such stains appear as yellow spots.
FAQs About Cat Spraying
1. Do Female Cats Spray?
Female cats can spray much like the male ones. For this reason, felines must be fixed to keep this cat behaviour from persisting. A spayed or neutered cat is less likely to engage in spraying compared to an intact feline.
2. Is Cat Spraying the Same as Peeing?
Cat spraying is not the same as peeing. The latter refers to relieving the bladder of its contents. On the other hand, the former only uses a small amount of urine to deposit scent.
When a cat sprays, she will be standing up to urinate on a vertical surface. In comparison, she will be squatting when she urinates on a horizontal surface.
Be on the lookout for other cat UTI symptoms, such as bloody urine, increased water intake, vomiting, and bloated stomach.
3. Does a Cat’s Spray Smell Go Away?
A cat’s spray smell can go away if cleaned right away. The longer it remains on a surface, the stinkier it will get. Thus, follow the cleaning tips we have outlined for cat spraying to prevent its odour from persisting in your home.
4. How Can I Find Where My Cat Sprayed?
Consider investing in a black light as it helps you find the areas where your cat has sprayed.
Hovering this tool over the place with urine will make the area glow bright green or yellow.
Conclusion
Cat spraying is prevalent in intact cats and less so in fixed felines. This behaviour is often tied to establishing dominance and territory.
However, other factors can cause its manifestation, such as lack of attention, the presence of a potential threat, an invitation to mate, and stress and nervousness.
Determining the root cause of this problem will help you determine the proper solution to choose. Lastly, unless you have the intention of breeding cats, let your pet undergo spay or neuter to reduce the chances of this behaviour from cropping up.
