Is your cat spraying all over yours stuff? It can seem annoying but there is actually a reason to why they are spraying. And there are numerous steps you can take to get them to stop.
Why is My Cat Spraying?
Cats who are stressed tend to spray to show that they are stressed. Similar to someone announcing that something or someone is stressing them out, cats will spray to release frustrations. Some other common reasons to spraying can be:
Territory: Spraying is one way cats mark their turf, especially if another cat is lurking around and leaving their own mark in your yard. Even if your cat never goes outside, there’s still the possibility that they will see or smell the “intruder” and then spray around a door or window in response. Also, if you just got back from somewhere where another cat was present, your cat can detect their sense, hence your soiled luggage.
Conflict: In multi-feline households, spraying can also be a way for cats to draw boundaries, establish a pecking order, and settle disputes.
Change: Moving to a new place, a home remodeling project, changes in routine or the arrival or loss of a human or pet sibling can all make a cat feel insecure and stressed. The changes don’t have to be big, either. Even moving around the living room furniture can upset a more sensitive kitty.
Mating: Both female and male cats spray — although unneutered males are more likely to leave their mark as a way to let the opposite sex know they’re available (and to mark their territory). Even if your spraying cat is spayed/neutered, if the procedure was done later in life, this could be a learned behavior they’ve carried over from their previous “fertile” days
How Do I Get it to Stop?
There are many ways to stop your cat from spraying. Whichever one works best for your feline just depends but there are some steps to start out on:
- Consider neutering or spaying your car
- Close windows and blinds around your house so your cat can not see other neighborhood cats
- Make sure you have adequate litter boxes, especially in a multiple kitty home. Also make sure the litter boxes are accessible at all times
- Make sure your litter boxes are cleaned daily
- Try a synthetic cat pheromone in areas where the cat has marked
- Make sure they have enough perching areas and scratch posts to let out frustrations
- Make sure they are getting enough attention
- If all else fails, consult your vet to see about medication for your spraying kitty.
For more information on your cat’s behaviors and general health, check out our other articles!
