Information on Adult Male Cats Spraying in the House

The pungent odor of cat urine can permeate an entire house. It is tough to deal with and even tougher to clean. This behavioral issue serves a biological function, but is discouraging to new cat owners.

  1. Identification

    • "Spraying" is a term used to describe a cat marking his territory with urine. Most spraying behavior is caused by male cats, though females can also spray. Spraying or marking is distinct in that a cat's tail will vibrate as he does it.

    Significance

    • Spraying behavior indicates the onset of puberty, anxiety or health problems.

    Time Frame

    • Spraying behaviors manifest during puberty, anywhere from 6 to 10 months of age. This is marked by an increase in testosterone in your male cat and signals to other males that he is of breeding age and is willing to defend his territory and mate. Non-hormonal spraying may begin at any point in life.

    Solution

    • The experts at the Humane Society of the United States claim that neutering eliminates spraying behaviors in 90 percent of cats. Speak with your veterinarian to find out if an underlying heath problem is causing your cat to eliminate inappropriately. If the spraying is based on anxiety, take steps to reduce the stress in your cat's environment.

    Clean Up

    • Cat spray contains extra pheromones, hormones that mark the area the cat sprayed as his territory. This urine can be more aromatic than regular urine. Commercially available enzymatic cleaners contain microorganisms that eat the organic material that makes up the urine.