Natural Ways to Stop Cat Spraying

You love your cat, but if it seems that he suddenly cannot locate his litter box, it may leave you pulling your hair out. This is actually not a urinating problem at all; your cat is marking his territory to tell other cats to stay away. On one hand, you should be flattered. Your cat loves you back and wants to claim you and your surroundings as his own. On the other hand, the smell and stains hardly enhance your decor. Discourage spraying behavior without the use of anti-anxiety drugs.

  1. Spay or Neuter

    • Research shows that a significant majority of cats cease to spray or never spray at all if they are spayed or neutered early, since cats only spray once they reach sexual maturity. As an added bonus, you'll be doing your part to control the pet overpopulation.

    Clean the Area

    • Remove the smell from the area or areas that the cat previously sprayed. Cats are creatures of habit and they are most likely to go back and spray in the same areas if they can still smell themselves there.

    Pheromones

    • Purchase a natural pheromone spray from your local pet supply store and spray the areas that your cat likes to mark. Pheromones for cats are like endorphins for humans; they release them when they feel calm and happy. When your cat rubs his head against your hand, he is releasing pheromones from glands behind his ears. Smelling the pheromones will make him feel calm and secure rather than threatened, and he will have no reason to spray.

    Give Him Space

    • If you have multiple cats, they can often feel crowded. Make sure that each cat has his own adequate space with a bed and a blanket and maybe even a toy that is just his. If your cat feels that he has his own area and that it isn't being invaded, he will be less likely to mark his territory.