Spraying

 

Urine spraying is an entirely different behaviour to normal toileting. When a cat urinates to expel body waste, he does so from a squatting position and will usually produce a pool of urine in a private, secluded place. In contrast, cats spray to leave a specific scent message. When they spray, they will back up to an object/surface and with their tail erect and 'quivering' will release a short burst of urine in an open area and sometimes right in front of you!

 

Why does my cat spray?

Spraying urine is a normal part of scent marking behaviour. Cats use scent to identify different areas in their territory; this provides them with a 'scent map' of their environment as they move around.

For example, cats tend to rub their cheeks and flanks on objects in the core part of their territory where they feel safe and secure leaving pheromone scents behind. In contrast, they spray urine in areas of their territory where they feel threatened. It is thought that the scent deposited acts as a 'reminder' for that cat to be wary in that part of his territory.

When the scent begins to fade, the cat will respray to top it up.

Un-neutered and un-spayed cats are by far the most likely to spray.

With the entire cat, urine marking will not only signal the cat's occupancy but also its status. Entire male cat spraying is triggered by hormonal changes when he reaches sexual maturity.

Female cats in heat have high levels of oestrogen in their urine. This is mixed with secretions from their anal glands and results in a very strongly smelling spray that is attractive to Tomcats.

A neutered or spayed cat will also sometimes spray urine indoors, although this is less likely than with an entire cat. The most likely reason for a desexed cat spraying is stress.

Why is my cat spraying indoors?

Cats may spray indoors when they are:

• Ill

• Highly aroused

• Stressed by changes in the household e.g the arrival of a baby or new pet

• Even new items of furniture, rearranging furniture, a change of household routine or the redecoration of a room, can all cause your cat upset.

• A home with a great many cats trying to establish territory in limited space will likely result in spraying indoors.

• Threatened by other cats coming in the house or in the neighbourhood

In may cases there may be more than one reason why your cat will spray in the house, it could also start off as a response to one stressor and then carry on as other stresses eventuate.

Never punish your cat for spraying as this will just increase the anxiety and exacerbate the problem.

What to do if my cat sprays in the house.

Firstly, get your cat checked by a Veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for the spraying.

Then try and establish what may be stressing the cat, this can be more easily pin-pointed when you know when the problem started and identifying the areas where the cat sprays will be the areas he is mostly under stress.

• If you have more than one cat, allow for more than one litter tray, food bowl and sleeping areas. Place shelves, cupboards etc in high traffic areas such as hallways to allow for each cat to pass each other on different levels.

• If your cat is entire then spaying or neutering will likely end spraying. This is very effective with Toms, but is best done before your cat is sexually mature at six months.

• If it is a cat that regularly appears outside the window that causes your cat to spray though anxiety, try preventing your cat access to that window.

• Cats may be independent souls but generally they like enough attention to make them feel wanted, and therefore secure. A little playtime each day may work wonders, and regular stroking and petting may, given a little time, enable your cat to feel assured enough to end spraying.

• Your cat will urine spray in the places that he has sprayed before. Cleaning products that merely mask the smell will be of little use. Use an enzyme cleaner and you may need to thoroughly soak the area. Shun ammonia-based products, as the ammonia itself smells like urine. There are also products that have been developed to specifically neutralize the smell of cat urine.

• A hand held black light will help detect all the places your cat has been spraying. The urine stain will glow and show up easily.

• Cat doors are a boon if you have an indoor-outdoor cat. But sometimes the presence of a bullying neighborhood cat will make your kitty insecure.

Your cat cottons on to the fact that if he can get into the house through the cat flap then so can the bully. So, to signal to the cat world that the house is his territory your cat sprays the cat flap.

Blocking up the flap should cure the spraying, but, of course, it will mean that you’ll need to let the cat in yourself. If this is your problem you may find an electronic cat door solves it.

• If no medical reasons are found for the behaviour, medication may be prescribed. Medication can reduce your cat’s anxiety and need for spraying.

• Using a Feliway diffuser (natural cat pheromone scent) to reduce your cat's anxiety naturally.