Why Do Cats Spray in the House?

While it might be unpleasant, smelly and annoying to pet owners, there are several reasons a cat might be spraying urine inside the house. Although male and female cats are both capable of spraying indoors, it is much more likely that the culprit will be an un-neutered male who is simply following his instincts.

  1. Description

    • Spraying is not the same thing as using the bathroom, because spraying is basically a cat’s way of marking an object. The urine being sprayed is different from what is produced during regular urination. When a cat is spraying, it releases pheromones, which act as the cat’s individual scent. If a cat backs up to an object, lifts its tail straight up and releases a mist of urine onto that object, it is spraying. While this might seem disgusting for these relatively clean animals to do indoors, there could be one of several reasons behind this action.

    Territorial Spraying

    • One of the simplest reasons for a cat to be spraying indoors is that he is trying to mark his territory. By spraying on an object or in a certain location, the cat is trying to say, “This is mine.” Territorial spraying is most likely to occur when an animal is stressed about its environment, such as when a new animal is brought into the home. A cat is also more likely to spray if they live with other cats because they want to establish and claim their territory.

    Mating

    • While it might be hard to believe that the odors that come from spraying are meant to attract other cats, it is a major reason for cats to spray. Un-neutered males spray to let females know they want to mate, and they will start doing this from about six months old and up. While female cats don’t usually spray, an un-spayed female in heat might spray to attract male cats to her. It’s basically her way of saying, “Come hither.”

    Frustration or Fear

    • It is more unusual for a cat to spray from a sense of anger or frustration, but it can happen. If a very social cat is suddenly left alone for long periods of time, he might spray because he is feeling stressed by this change. A cat might also spray in a fearful response to a change in its environment, such as a dog coming into the home. Neither of these reactions should be seen as the cat’s way of getting even. It is a natural response for a cat to a stressful situation.

    Solutions

    • The easiest way to stop a cat from spraying is to have it spayed or neutered and the earlier, the better. Cats that are spayed or neutered as kittens usually don’t ever develop spraying tendencies. Older cats that get spayed or neutered will be less likely to spray afterward. If a cat has been spayed or neutered but is still spraying, there are probably other reasons for it, such as feelings of stress when it sees another cat or animal. Spraying might be controlled by separating the cat from other animals as much as possible and keeping it indoors away from contact with any outside “threats.” If none of these methods work, ask a veterinarian for suggestions on how to stop your cat from spraying.