Why Does My Cat Spray?

Why Does My Cat Spray?

Cat spraying — the act of depositing small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces — is one of the most frustrating behaviors for cat owners. It's distinct from normal litter box urination and has specific causes that need to be addressed differently.

Spraying vs. Normal Urination: What's the Difference?

Normal urination: cat squats and deposits a larger amount of urine in a horizontal surface (litter box or floor).

Spraying: cat stands, tail held high and quivering, and deposits a small amount of urine on a vertical surface — walls, furniture, doors, or curtains. The urine has a stronger, more pungent smell than normal urine.

1. Territorial Marking

Spraying is primarily a territorial behavior. Cats use urine to mark the boundaries of their territory and communicate their presence to other cats. The scent carries information about the cat's identity, reproductive status, and health.

This is most common in unneutered males, but females and neutered cats also spray, especially when they feel their territory is threatened.

2. Stress and Anxiety

Stress is the most common trigger for spraying in neutered cats. Common stressors include:

• New pets in the home
• New people (baby, partner, roommate)
• Moving or rearranging furniture
• Outdoor cats visible through windows
• Changes in routine

The FELIWAY Classic Calming Pheromone Spray is one of the most effective tools for stress-related spraying. It mimics the natural facial pheromones cats deposit when they rub their face on objects — a signal of security and familiarity. Apply it to the areas your cat sprays and throughout the home.

For multi-cat households where tension between cats is the trigger, the FELIWAY MultiCat Calming Diffuser Refill (90-day supply) reduces inter-cat tension that leads to spraying.

3. Reproductive Behavior

Unneutered males spray to advertise their presence to females. Unspayed females in heat may also spray. Spaying or neutering eliminates this cause in the vast majority of cases — studies show it stops spraying in about 90% of male cats and 95% of female cats.

4. Medical Issues

Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other medical conditions can cause inappropriate urination that may be confused with spraying. If the behavior is new or accompanied by straining, blood in urine, or frequent trips to the litter box, a vet visit is essential.

Final Thoughts

Spraying is always communication — your cat is responding to a perceived threat to their territory or security. Identifying and addressing the underlying stressor, combined with pheromone therapy, resolves most cases of stress-related spraying.