Spaying & Scent Marking in Cats

He uses his urine like we use a pen, this is not normal urinating, this is the process of 'spraying', believe me there is a difference. The difference being that when a cat urinates, they use a squatting position on horizontal surfaces, like a litter tray. Spraying is not a litter box shyness problem, if they start spraying up walls, they are still more than likely to use their litter box for urinating and the rest. Spraying has different causes and therefore needs to be dealt with differently.

Why Do Cats Spray?

Cats are very territorial, using a variety of signals to mark their territory and give other cats clear boundaries not to overstep. Along with spraying, they also mark their territory with scratch marks, scent rubbed off their skin and feces. It is perfectly normal for unaltered males to make their territorial claim by spraying.

This starts right about the age of sexual maturity because it is triggered by hormonal changes, however it can become an inherent part of the cats behavioral pattern. Females also tend to spray, especially when they are in 'heat'. This is to announce to the males in her vicinity that she is in 'heat'. She does this by releasing special scents in her urine and spraying it in several key locations.

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking I will get my cat spayed / neutered then they wont need to 'show off' or 'announce' their awakenings. However, spraying can even occur with neutered males and spayed females, especially if you have waited to neuter a male cat after he has reached sexual maturity, by then, spraying may have become a fixed habit to him.

Spraying is linked with territory, a cat may start to spray when it senses a potential territorial threat, this could be in the form of a new dog or cat arriving in the household, or a stray cat that comes near the house. Often, though, the threat is less obvious as the cat can be sometimes insecure or overstressed, their reaction is to spray.

How to Deal with Spraying