Cats marking territory
Territory is very important to cats, especially their home, where they like to feel safe. After all, home is where their friends live, their toys are, and they get fed—no wonder they want it all to themselves! When cats are content, they "mark" their territory using glands on their cheeks, above their eyes, and above their chin.
If you see them happily rubbing themselves gently against your legs or furniture, they're leaving their marks where they feel most comfortable. Because we can barely smell the scent they leave behind and marking doesn't cause any problems, we usually don't worry about it. Consider marking their territory a positive sign that you've created a loving home that your cat will be very happy with.
Why do cats spray?
Spraying is another form of territorial marking, primarily used outdoors where there's more competition with other cats. Instead of rubbing their heads to mark their territory, cats spray urine, which carries their own personal scent.
Cats spraying outside
Cats sometimes spray urine on trees, hedges, and fence posts when they're outside—at nose height for other cats who might pass by. This spray contains information about your cat's age, sex, health, activity level, and the boundaries of its territory—its personal calling card, so to speak! By marking its territory in this way, it wants to let other cats in the area know that this is its territory, preventing confusion and potential physical confrontations.
Cats spraying in the house
When cats spray outdoors, it's not really a problem—in fact, it's perfectly natural. However, if your cat starts spraying inside your house, it's usually a sign they're afraid of something, and there might be a reason they're so keen to mark their territory. Cats that spray doorframes, curtains, and windowsills may feel threatened by something they've seen outside. If your cat starts spraying chair legs, beds, and dressing tables, it could be a sign they're feeling a bit insecure and are therefore surrounding themselves with more of their own scent to boost their confidence.
If your cat has started spraying indoors and you're unsure why, talk to your veterinarian to learn more about the possible reasons and how to get your cat back to its happy self, which used to be marked by affectionate headbutts. Your veterinarian can advise you on how to prevent your cat from spraying and can refer you to a cat behaviorist who can help you determine the cause of your cat's behavior.
How to Stop Cats from Spraying
Because spraying indoors indicates your cat already feels threatened, the last thing you want to do is scare them by scolding them. Yelling at them for spraying can increase their stress levels, causing them to spray even more—and you definitely don't want that, for both your cat and your home!
If you're wondering how to stop your cat from spraying, the first step is to consider the source of the stress. For example, is there a new cat in the neighborhood or has your home undergone a change? One of the following could be the cause:
Your cat may feel intimidated if there are many cats around. If there are many other cats in your neighborhood, make sure you have a secure cat flap (magnetic or microchip-activated) that prevents them from entering your home and your cat's. If you see revolving door thieves trying to sneak in, try to shoo them away to discourage them from entering your cat's private space.
Have you recently gained or lost another cat? Make sure your current cat still feels safe and secure and knows that everything like their food, water, litter box, bed, and toys are still within reach and won't be inherited by your new cat or removed after the passing of your other pet. You may need to place their special items in more than one place to reassure them. Discover more tips on welcoming a new cat.
Have you got new furniture, redecorated your home, or moved? All of these things can upset your cat and increase the risk of spraying. Introduce them slowly to new additions and give them time to adjust. You can also try gently rubbing your cat's face with a soft cloth to absorb their natural pheromones and wiping down new furniture or unfamiliar areas at cat height. This will spread their scent and help them feel more secure in their environment.
Ask your vet about synthetic pheromones for cats that can be used in a similar way and may be helpful for stress-related problems.
What are the medical causes of cat spraying?
Some cats spray indoors because they have a medical problem. If your cat is spraying indoors, take them to your veterinarian for a checkup. Urinary stones, for example, are a common, treatable condition that can be life-threatening if ignored. They usually cause a complete or partial blockage of the urinary tract, making urination difficult or nearly impossible. The causes and treatments for urinary stones are very different from those for spraying, so it's a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if you suspect the spraying might have a medical rather than emotional cause.
Removing cat spray
Cats often spray the same spot repeatedly. If you see a pattern, test the colorfastness of the spot, then clean it thoroughly with a 10% solution of biological washing powder, rinse with cold water, and let it dry. Then spray it with rubbing alcohol (available from your vet or pharmacy) and let it dry again. This will help remove the smell of the spray. You should now have a clean, odor-free area!