Say it, don't spray it! How to stop a cat from spraying

Updated 13/09/2024

How to stop a cat from spraying? Is it even possible to stop a cat from doing anything? Well, as much as we like to tease our furry felines, cat spraying is something that can be prevented. It’s a common cat issue that can begin for a number of reasons, so let’s learn more about what is cat spray, understand why do cats spray, and find out how to stop a cat from spraying.

What is cat spray?

It’s cat urine. Next question! Sorry, in all seriousness it is kitty pee which is used for a variety of reasons. When cats urinate, they usually leave a good amount of pee on a horizontal surface, somewhere private. On the other paw, spraying urine on vertical surfaces in small amounts has a specific reason other than emptying the bladder such as scent-marking to claim their territory. If any of you have had the pleasure of smelling cat urine, you’ll know it has a… um… distinctive smell. It’s not the easiest job in the world to remove cat spray from furniture, especially if the material is absorbent.

But, luckily, spraying is a common cat behavior (albeit a rather gross one) and a form of kitty communication (ironic when it’s a rather anti-social act). So while it’s not a particularly pleasant habit, they’re only following their instincts. When nature calls, eh!

Why do cats spray?

To mark their territory

The number one reason for cat spraying is to mark their territory. Many animals communicate through their sense of smell (AKA their olfactory senses if you want to be scientific) and cats are one of those creatures. Their pee has a ‘special’ smell which is unique to each purr-baby (fun fact!) and so is used to mark what is theirs to warn off other cats.

Has a new neighborhood cat joined the back garden gang? Or have you welcomed home a new pet? Well, your cat has something to say about that: This is mine, so back the fluff off!

Their litter box is too dirty

Cats have high standards, but even we agree with this one. If their litter box doesn’t have the all-clear you’re going to see some cat spray appearing in your home. It’s literally a form of protest - you’re not meeting their hygiene quota, so say goodbye to your favorite rug. It also may be a sign that you don’t have enough litter boxes – often, cats don’t like to share!

Their litter box is too clean

Exasperated sigh… But you just said they don’t like a dirty litter box! Yes, we did and they don’t, but they also don’t like it deep cleaned. As we mentioned, cats rely on smell to communicate, and, of course, their toilet area is a part of their territory. Fair enough! So, if we scrub their smell away, we’re removing all their hard efforts to mark their bathroom area.

It’s always advised that if you’re replacing their litter box with a new one, make sure you transfer some of the litter from the old box into the new one to keep their scent. Not that they’re fussy, or anything!

Stress and anxiety

This is a rather serious point as cats can easily become stressed by simply moving objects in the home around, even if it’s just to do a deep clean. New couch? They’re stressed. Decided to have a few noisy friends over? Anxiety through the roof. Cats are sensitive souls, some more than others. Other causes of stress can include routine change, new pets, new family members, and loud noises or household disruption. Sadly, this can lead to your cat spraying.

If your home has recently experienced a change, take them to the vet and let them know what you think might be the cause. They might offer some calming cat air sprays to help them feel more relaxed or, in more extreme cases, they may prescribe some anti-anxiety medications.

Medical issues

Unsurprisingly, cat spraying can be a sign of a bladder issue or urinary tract infection. However, it can be a symptom of something a bit more sinister, so it’s important to take them straight to the vet. Medical problems can be hard to detect from just looking at a cat, so if they suddenly start spraying this could easily mean they’re not very well and need help. Urinating in odd places can be accompanied by other signs that something is wrong, such as suddenly drinking more, a change in appetite, or weight loss. 

Can female cats spray?

Yep, we’re afraid female cats spray too and it doesn’t matter whether or not they’re in heat. Any cat that’s experiencing any of the issues we listed above, snip or no snip, can spray all day. Of course, if your female cat is spraying constantly you must take them to their vet immediately.

Do neutered cats spray?

A neutered feline can still spray, although it tends to be less simply for territorial reasons. Intact male cats will have a lot more testosterone pumping through their paws and bodies, so there’s a higher chance they’ll feel more protective of their territory. Similarly, female cats spray if they feel their territory is threatened too, particularly when they’re in heat - their land their rules, and no other girl cats allowed!

How to stop a cat from spraying

While neutering and spaying won’t cause a cat to suddenly stop spraying, it may reduce the chances of them doing it, especially in male cats. It’s normal for most vets to advise pet parents to have their kitties ‘tie the knot’ (if you know what we mean) for a whole host of other medical reasons. But, of course, it’s completely up to the cat carer. It’s also important to make sure you have enough litter boxes in the home (the general recommendation is to have one more litter box than cats) and that they are kept regularly cleaned.

Whatever you decide to do neutering-wise, it’s important to identify what could be causing a cat to start urine marking. Has something recently changed in the home? Did a new pet move in? Or did you try out some feng shui in a room? Has your cat been experiencing some turf wars with the neighborhood cats?

If you’re sure nothing has changed, this could be a sign of a medical problem and something their vet needs to know about. It’s always good to let them know about any changes in behavior as this can be a big clue that something else is up. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community. 

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