How to Prevent Indoor Cat Marking

Few things are more annoying than discovering your cat marking or emitting a spray of urine on objects indoors. Cats commonly mark an area to keep unwanted individuals away from their "territory," according to the ASPCA. They also use marking to create an atmosphere of familiarity and security. Discovering why your cat is marking indoors is key in successfully preventing the cat's inappropriate behavior from occurring at a future date.

Things You'll Need

  • Veterinarian
  • Cat toys
  • Cat bed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine whether the cat is marking an area or simply relieving a full bladder. The deposition of urine for spraying or scent marking is very different than that of urination to simply relieve a full bladder, according to the Feline Advisory Bureau. If the cat is simply relieving its bladder, it will squat and deposit a volume of urine on a horizontal surface. If the cat is spraying or marking an area, it will stand up, make a treading motion with its back feet, quiver its tail and proceed to spray a small amount of urine backwards onto a vertical surface.

    • 2

      Take your cat to a veterinarian for a complete physical examination. There is currently no proven medical problem that directly contributes to urine marking, yet physical problems, such as stress, has been known to create increased anxiety in a cat, which can in turn contribute to indoor marking, according to the ASPCA. If your cat is overly stressed or anxious, certain medications may be prescribed by your veterinarian to help alleviate the cat's inappropriate marking behavior.

    • 3

      Get your cat neutered or spayed. Neutering pet cats has been known to significantly reduce or eliminate spraying.

    • 4

      Provide your cat with toys, a warm bed and plenty of attention if a new cat or other pet has been added to your family. Conflict with other household cats or pets is one of the common reasons why a cat marks indoor areas with urine, according to the ASPCA. Providing the cat with its own toys, a warm bed, preferably in a quiet or safe place away from the other pets, and plenty of attention will help make the cat feel secure or loved and may help alleviate some of the cat's anxiety toward the other household pets and will hopefully prevent or put a stop to inappropriate marking indoors.

    • 5

      Keep all stray or neighborhood cats off your property. Indoor cats that come into contact with stray or neighborhood cats may feel threatened or frightened by the cat's presence and may use marking as a sort of defense mechanism against the cats as a result. The ASPCA recommends closing your windows, blinds and doors to help prevent your indoor cat from seeing stray or neighborhood cats.

    • 6

      Limit the cat to one or two rooms indoors if the cat's marking habit continues. Limiting the cat to a few rooms will help relieve any anxiety or stress the cat may be feeling and will help bring a sense of comfort or security to the cat -- all attributes that may help prevent indoor marking.