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Janelle Martel
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Although a normal behaviour in both intact female and male cats, cat spraying is a frustrating behaviour for pet parents, especially when it targets some of your household possessions. In fact, cats urinating in the house is one of the top reasons owners surrender them to shelters. One cause of this is cat spraying. In this article, we’ll discuss what cat spraying is and why it happens, as well as give you some effective tips to curb this behaviour.
What is Cat Spray?
Cat spraying is most typically done by intact males and involves spraying a concentrated urine stream horizontally against a vertical surface. Stephan Quandt, a feline trainer and behaviour specialist, says “Oftentimes, the cat will back up to the surface they’re going to spray on with a high tail that is frequently seen quivering, and they don’t squat—they just stand and spray. Also, they usually spray a small amount of urine because they are not attempting to fully void their bladders, as this is not the purpose.”
It’s important to note that spraying isn’t the only cause of urinating in the house. Dr. Vanessa Spano, a board-certified veterinary behaviourist, says, “As behaviour is a diagnosis of exclusion, it is important to ensure nothing physically underlying is missed. If there is a medical component that does not get addressed, likely the ‘spraying’ behaviour will not improve.” Several medical issues may cause cats to spray.
Medical Issues That Can Cause Cats to Spray
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Bladder inflammation
- Urinary tract stones
- Neurological disease
- Kidney disease
Why Do Cats Spray?
“Cats communicate with scent, and spraying is conveying information to other cats that this cat has been here and is making a claim to the territory—or is available sexually,” says Quandt. Amanda Caron, a certified cat behaviour consultant and fear-free certified professional trainer, says that cats can also spray due to stress from changes in the environment or routine. A frequent cause can be the presence of outdoor cats in your area.
Do Female Cats Spray?
Caron says that female cats can engage in spraying behaviours, although this behaviour is more commonly seen in males. Unspayed females are more likely to spray when in heat to try to attract a mate.
Do Spayed Cats Spray?
Spayed female cats can spray, but the behaviour is less common in spayed cats. About 5% of spayed female cats spray.
Do Neutered Cats Spray?
While spraying behaviour is most common in unneutered males, neutered males can spray as well. Quandt says that up to 10% of male cats who spray are actually neutered.
When Do Male Cats Start Spraying?
Male cats typically start spraying when they become sexually mature, which is around 6 to 9 months of age. “Male cats may begin spraying before being neutered, and while neutering often reduces this behaviour, some cats continue to spray even afterward,” says Caron.
How to Get a Cat to Stop Spraying
Cat spraying can be a deeply rooted and complex behaviour. It’s important to understand the causes of why your cat is spraying and take steps to modify this behaviour.
- Manage Any Changes in the Home. Dr. Spano emphasizes that, after ruling out medical issues, the next step is to see if the spraying behaviour connects to changes at home or in the environment. Because one of the reasons that cats spray is to mark their territory, blocking your cat’s access to seeing other cats through the window can be helpful.Has the family dynamic changed? “If there is a new human family member in the home, have them make positive associations with your cat by gently tossing them treats and avoiding too much overwhelming hands-on interaction—ensure they practice consent and do not touch your cat if your cat is not consenting to it or asking for it,” says Dr. Spano.
- Help Your Cat Reduce Stress. Other common causes for stress in cats include changes in their routine, loud noises, limited resources in multi-cat households, and boredom. Caron says that there are several ways to reduce the impact of stress on your cat, including “giving the cat space away from what is stressing them, offering one-on-one time with toys or treats, or simply helping them decompress by being there while they watch cat videos or birds outside. Spending quality time, providing reassurance, and creating an environment that meets their needs—like vertical spaces, hiding spots, scratching areas, and engaging activities—are all essential to helping a cat navigate stressful situations.”
- Reinforce Alternate Behaviours. Rather than punishing your cat for spraying, it’s important to reinforce alternative behaviours like sniffing and walking away, using the litter box instead of marking a wall, playing with a kicker toy, or scratching on an appropriate surface. “When you notice your cat making one of these positive choices, be sure to let them know—recognizing good behaviour is just as important as addressing undesirable behaviour. Use a warm voice with encouraging words, a gentle chin scratch, or a small tasty treat to reward the alternative behaviour,” says Caron.
- Litter Box Management. Dr. Spano says that, in her experience, the top reason cats urinate outside the litter box is poor hygiene. She points out that commercial litter boxes are often too small, as they should be 1.5x the length of the cat from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail (she uses under-the-bed plastic clothing bins for her own cats!). Litter boxes should be completely cleaned out at least once per week using warm water and a gentle soap, as phenols like Lysol can be too much for your cat’s sensitive olfactory system.
A top reason cats urinate outside the litter box is poor hygiene.
- Consult a Cat Behaviourist. For deeply rooted behaviours like spraying, it’s often recommended to see a behaviourist. Caron explains that a behaviorist will ask about your cat’s environment, health, history, relationships, and daily routine. This helps them understand what your cat is showing through its actions.They’ll help you understand your cat’s behaviour and create a targeted plan to improve the behaviour through science-based methods that support your cat’s well-being. Often, the behaviourist, vet, and family all work together to achieve the best outcome. While each case is unique, meaningful progress can happen in just a few months.
What Does Cat Spray Smell Like?
Because of the concentration of pheromones, cat spray has a strong odour. It’s sometimes described as an ammonia scent with a musky smell. Quandt has joked that it’s better than pepper spray to repel a mugger.
Cat pee smells so bad due to the presence of pheromones, fatty acids, and other compounds in the urine. Cat spray smells extra bad because the pee is more concentrated during spraying than in normal urination. And cat pee smells worse as time goes by: the breakdown of these compounds by bacteria releases ammonia and mercaptans, further contributing to the pungent, lasting odour.
- Pheromones and Fatty Acids: Cat spray, also known as scent marking, involves the release of urine containing a higher concentration of pheromones (chemical signals used for communication) and fatty acids compared to regular urination. These compounds have strong, distinctive odors, making the spray more pungent.
- Bacterial Decomposition: After the urine is deposited, bacteria begin to break down the urea (a waste product in urine). This process releases ammonia, which is a key component of the characteristic cat urine smell.
- Mercaptans: As the urine decomposes further, mercaptans are produced. These are sulfur-containing compounds that are also found in skunk spray, known for their intense and unpleasant odor.
- Concentration: Cats, being desert animals, have evolved to conserve water, resulting in highly concentrated urine. This concentrated urine, with its high levels of waste products and pheromones, contributes to the strong, persistent smell.
How to Get Rid of Cat Spray Smell (And Why It’s Essential to Get Rid of the Smell)
Because of the pheromones that are released when a cat sprays, it can encourage them to spray in the same spot. If you notice this, Dr. Spano recommends cleaning the area twice daily for at least a month. She recommends using an enzymatic cleaner, like Anti Icky Poo or Urine Off to remove the pheromones. It’s important to let this cleaner sit for 5 minutes before wiping it down. Here are detailed instructions for how to remove cat pee smell from clothes and bedding.
Deterrent for Cats Spraying
Dr. Spano says that a feline calming pheromone, like Feliway, can be applied to the area so that your cat is less likely to spray there. She recommends applying this after the enzymatic cleaner has been wiped up. Another option if your cat is spraying in the same location is to change the function of the space. “Cats are less likely to spray where they eat, drink, sleep, and play,” says Dr. Spano.
What to Do If You Catch Your Cat Spraying
If you catch your cat spraying, it’s important to avoid punishing them. “Punishment may decrease the likelihood of an undesirable behavior, but it does not teach the cat what to do instead – there are no coping mechanisms being learned. And so, without addressing the root of the issue and providing your cat with alternatives, the cat will either find another place in hiding to spray and/or resort back eventually to the only behaviour they know in stressful situations: spraying,” says Dr. Spano.
Interested in cat behaviour? Check out more of our articles here.
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