What is Cat Spraying?

Cat spraying is usually done by intact males, although female cats may spray also. A spraying cat will typically be standing upright and marching their front legs while keeping back legs straight, and holding their tail straight up in the air while twitching it. They will then spray their urine on a vertical surface.

Why Do Cats Spray?

Urine spraying may happen as a result of a stressors or changes in a cat’s social situation. Things that seem trivial to you and me may be very stressful to a cat. Changing the furniture or seeing another cat through the window may be enough to trigger urine marking in some cats.

What To Do About Spraying Cats

• If your cat has recently started spraying, they should have a fullveterinary exam. A skilled veterinarian will examine your cat and possibly recommenddiagnostic testingsuch as blood work and urinalysis to ensure there are no medical causes for your cat’s spraying behaviour.
• If your cat is young intact male, having him neutered may eliminate or reduce spraying behaviour. This is very effective in the majority of these cases.
• If your cat is already spayed/neutered, pheromone sprays or diffusers such as Feliway can often be very helpful in reducing cat spraying. Your veterinarian should help determine if this product may be right for your pet.
• Cleaning the area where the spraying has happened is very important, as remnant odours can encourage more spraying in the same area. You should use an enzymatic cleaner that will destroy odour molecules. Regular household cleaners contain ammonia-based chemicals that can smell like urine to a cat and result in more spraying in that area.

Some cats will continue to spray despite our best efforts to stop it. Contact your veterinarian now if you think your cat is spraying. It is important not to wait to seek help, as the longer the spraying goes on without intervention, the more difficult it might be to stop it.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kent Morley

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