Cat Spraying - How to Stop Urine Spraying

For many people, having their cat pick up the habit of urinating or spraying on the furniture or in the home is a distressing one. It is unsanitary, annoying to clean up and can cause social stress in the house.

If your cat keeps on spraying, you need to be aware that there are a number of things that might be going on, and that by considering them and working with your cat that you can make sure that this unpleasant habit is stopped once and for all.

First of all, take your cat to the vet. A male cat which has not been neutered will spray to mark their turf. Neutering your cat will usually reduce or even eliminate the spraying problem entirely.

Spraying can also be a symptom of underlying health problems - it is sometimes seen in older cats who have never sprayed before, which can be a sign of health issues.

To keep your cat from spraying, one thing which will not help is to yell at them when they spray on your furniture. You probably didn't catch your cat while still spraying; if so, they will not associate your anger with their behavior.

Some cats will spray in response to stress, meaning that your yelling can make the problem worse. Other cats will spray to mark a new home if they have recently moved. If this is the cause, the spraying will usually cease once the cat feels more settled in.

Cats will tend to spray if they are challenged by another cat. By making it so that your cat cannot see outside, the problem will be reduced. Other cats that your cat sees outside will make your cat want to spray to mark his territory. Keep your curtains and blinds closed and your furniture away from these windows; this should help reduce spraying.

Clean any area where your cat has sprayed very thoroughly. Remember that your cat has a far keener sense of smell than you do and they will associate this spot with spraying. Doing a good job of cleaning these areas will help prevent your cat from spraying again.

Use a pet repellent which will keep your cat clear of this area, even if they have repeatedly marked this area before.

When your cat sprays, the first thing to do is determine why it is that they are spraying. Finding out why your cat sprays can go a long way towards helping you stop your cat from spraying once and for all.