Why Cats Mark by Urinating

Cat owners often complain of inappropriate urination. What they may not understand is why their pets relieve themselves at places other then their litter box. Once owners understand the causes of their cats' strange behavior, they will be able to come up with a solution.

  1. Why Cats Spray

    • Cats spray urine on vertical surfaces to mark their territory. The behavior is more common in mature tomcats than in female cats. Neutered males rarely mark their territory by spraying urine.

    Female Cats

    • Female cats who are in heat sometime engage in marking behavior. This spraying lets male cats know that a female cat seeks a mate.

    Spraying or Inappropriate Waste Elimination?

    • Cats use vertical surfaces to mark their territory. If the cat urinates on a flat surface, this is not territorial behavior, and probably means that its litter box is dirty, so cleaning the litter box will usually fix the problem. Health problems can also cause inappropriate elimination.

    Problem Areas

    • Cats spray most frequently around windows and doors with glass when they see other cats and want to mark their territory. Keeping the cat away from these areas may reduce the problem.

    Cleaning

    • Cleaning products designed to remove pet odors should be applied to the affected spots whether the cat wanted to mark its territory or was letting its owner know its litter box needed to be cleaned.