How to Keep a Male Cat From Marking

Male cats urinate and spray to mark their territory. This is a natural survival mechanism and a method to signal to other male cats in the area that they have claimed your home as their territory. This innate behavior has unfortunate side effects for the cat̵7;s owner: a pungent odor that permeates through the entire house. There are ways to cut down on these sprayings to help save your carpets and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Vinegar
  • Pheromone diffuser
  • Fence
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your veterinarian about having your male cat neutered. This will cut down on his instinctual marking behavior, usually within six months.

    • 2

      Clean the area that the cat has marked with vinegar. Many times cats will return to the same spot repeatedly if they can still smell their urine. Vinegar will not only eliminate the odor, cats also find the smell very offensive.

    • 3

      Utilize a pheromone diffuser. There are plug in diffusers that lightly spray an odor that mimics a urine smell and will stop the cat from marking in the home.

    • 4

      Keep stray cats away from your home by placing a fence up in the yard. The cats will not be able to see or smell these strays, and will not feel threatened into spraying.

    • 5

      Keep the shades closed in your home. This will also eliminate your cat̵7;s ability to detect any other animals that may be outside.

    • 6

      Speak to your veterinarian. The cat̵7;s spraying may actually be caused by a medical condition such as a cyst or a urinary tract infection. Spraying could also be caused by anxiety and your vet may choose to prescribe anti-anxiety medications such as Valium.