Spraying or urine marking is a normal behavior whereby cats mark territorial boundaries and provide themselves with security within their own area. Urine is often deposited regularly at specific sites to convey information about sex, sexual state, hierarchy and possibly emotional state. Cats will naturally spray at these sites to top up their own scent or to cover up that of a rival.

A healthy solitary cat in a stable and secure environment will not usually feel any need to spray in the house. Any breakdown in the cat's normally secure environment or threats perceived within its core territory can lead to an indoor spraying problem.

Spray marking must first be distinguished from normal urination before any further analysis is undertaken. A true urine mark is performed with the tail held straight up and sometimes quivering. Alternate stepping movements of the hind feet may be observed and the urine is deposited in short squirts of about 1ml in volume, usually against a vertical surface. In contrast normal urination involves voiding of a stream of urine of 20ml or more from a squatting position, usually into a prepared toilet hole or litter box.

Whenever urine is deposited in small frequent quantities it is important to first rule out diseases of the urinary tract before interpreting this as a behavioural problem. FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) can cause partial or complete blockage of the urethra and may cause the cat to attempt to urinate in an unnatural position. This is a painful and potentially very serious problem. If in any doubt the cat should be examined by your vet and a urine sample checked for any abnormalities.

Most indoor spraying problems occur due to anxiety caused by disruption of the cat's social or territorial situation. Owners may unwittingly disturb the cat's environment by introducing new furniture, redecorating, having regular visitors, having dogs come to visit or introducing a new cat. Alternatively other rival cats may invade the core territory through a cat flap to steal food or to challenge a resident cat. The cat will then try to reinforce its territory by marking prominent features such as corners of furniture and around entrances. They will often mark electrical items as the warmth and smell of these seems to attract attention.

TREATMENT

Entire males commonly spray as a marking behavior; castration reliably reduces this and the smell deposited is much less pungent. In females, spaying does not alter the behavior unless it occurs only when they are in season.

REINFORCEMENT OF CORE TERRITORY - The house is usually regarded as the core territory i.e. the most central and secure part of the cat's domain. It is important to prevent entry of outsiders by using a magnetic locking cat flap or close it altogether and actively let the cat in or out via a window or door. Most cats will learn to ‘ask’ to go out when they want to. Reduce the number of rooms the cat has access to, as this will make security more easily maintained for the cat and make cleaning up after any relapse easier. A Feliway diffuser should be installed in the cat's main resting area to give a pheromone-based background of reassurance.

COMPETITION FOR RESOURCES - In multi-cat households, some individuals may be quite stressed by lack of availability of important resources such as food and water bowls, litter trays and secure/elevated resting places. Cats prefer to have toilet facilities, drinking and eating facilities all in different places. Litter trays especially must not be next to food bowls. No one wants to eat their dinner next to their toilet! It is important that these are supplied in various places with good separation and at least 1 item per cat. Ideally 1 per cat +1.

LITTER TRAYS - These should be large enough in dimensions for the cat to get in easily and not too tall for older possibly arthritic cats. Litter should be deep enough for the cat to dig a good deep hole. Some litters are abrasive, hard on the feet or scented and are disliked by some cats. A softer more absorbent substrate may be more attractive to the cat. Many cats feel vulnerable when toileting and will prefer to be in an enclosed space such as an upturned cardboard box with a door cut in one side which can be placed over the litter tray, or an ‘igloo‘ type tray. When cleaning out the tray remove all solids but don’t be too fussy removing all wet litter as this will contain pheromones which will encourage repeat use. Clean out the tray thoroughly once weekly.

CLEANING UP - Areas that have been sprayed with urine should be cleaned thoroughly with a warm biological washing powder solution. This removes that fatty acids and pheromones which are recognized by a cat and which stimulate it to over-mark. Do not use bleach-based cleaning products as these will break down to ammonia which is also a constituent of decaying urine and will encourage the cat to repeat spray this area. A final wipe down with surgical spirit will remove or destroy any remaining odour.

Repellents and fresheners only mask the smell to humans and do not fool the cats more acute sensory perception. Reduce access to favourite targets, especially things which are often brought in from outside e.g. shoes.

PUNISHMENT - Never punish your cat for inappropriate urinating. This includes shouting, squirting water and rubbing their nose in the urine. The cause of the problem is likely to be anxiety-based in the first place, if the cat receives a punishment for performing something designed to relieve anxiety, it will probably become yet more anxious and the problem may well escalate.

MEDICATION - Various medications are available to help relieve anxiety and improve learning to cope with new situations. Your vet will be able to offer advice regarding the appropriate use of these. No medication can be expected to work without addressing all of the underlying causes of the problem.

REHOMING - Some cats do not get on well within multi-cat households and despite all efforts, continue to find their existence stressful. For some individuals it is kinder to re-home them to a single cat environment to give them the security they need.

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