Preventing Cats From Spraying Indoors: Effective Strategies For Owners

Cats spray urine to communicate with other cats, but it can be frustrating for owners. To stop cats from spraying indoors, it's important to identify the cause, which could be related to mating, territory, stress, or underlying medical conditions. Solutions include creating a low-stress environment, addressing medical issues, using calming products, managing multiple cats, treating medical conditions, providing toys and games, cleaning and removing scents, and picking the right litter box.

Spay or neuter your cat

Spaying or neutering your cat is one of the most effective ways to prevent them from spraying indoors. This is because spraying is a natural instinct for cats when they are in heat.

Neutering is the best way to stop a male cat from spraying, and although female cats are less likely to continue spraying after being spayed, it is still possible. In some cases, spraying can be caused by remnants of the ovaries being left behind or testicles that haven't descended, so it is a good idea to discuss this with your vet.

Spaying or neutering your cat will dramatically reduce spraying behaviour, but it is still possible for a neutered cat to start spraying later in life. Approximately 10% of castrated males and 5% of spayed females may still spray urine.

If you have an indoor cat, seeing outdoor cats through a window or wandering through your yard can make them feel the need to mark their territory. This can be prevented by blocking their view of the outdoors with curtains or blinds.

Create a stress-free space

Creating a stress-free environment for your cat is essential for their happiness and overall well-being. Cats can easily become stressed and anxious, which can negatively impact their health. Here are some tips to create a calm and comfortable space for your feline friend:

Provide Perches and Hiding Places:

Cats feel safer when they can observe their surroundings from an elevated position. Offer cat trees, shelves, or other objects that allow your cat to climb or jump. Place a comfortable bed, blanket, or towel on the perch for added comfort. Additionally, create hiding places where your cat can retreat to feel safe when overwhelmed. This can be a box, carrier, or a bed placed in a quiet area, such as inside a closet or under a bed.

Establish a Scratching Area:

Scratching surfaces are crucial for your cat's health and well-being. Provide both vertical and horizontal scratching posts or pads to allow your cat to mark their territory and maintain their claws. Place these in strategic locations where your cat likes to spend time, ensuring there is at least one scratching surface for each cat in the household.

Supply Water and Encourage Hydration:

Water is an essential nutrient for cats, yet many don't drink enough and live on the verge of dehydration. Encourage hydration by offering a canned diet and providing water fountains or dripping faucets, which some cats find enticing. Separate water stations may be necessary if you have multiple cats to prevent competition and ensure adequate hydration for all.

Create a Consistent and Stable Environment:

Cats typically dislike change and can become stressed by sudden alterations in their environment or routine. Try to minimise changes and maintain a consistent daily routine. This includes consistent mealtimes and regular litter box care, using a litter type that your cat prefers. Avoid heavily fragranced litters, as most cats do not appreciate them.

Play and Cuddle with Your Cat:

Spend time playing with your cat regularly to keep their mind stimulated and reduce stress. Interactive games and toys, such as fishing rod-type toys, feather toys, or laser pointers, can provide exercise and mental stimulation. Additionally, spend time cuddling or engaging in other activities your cat enjoys. This attention can help reduce stress and give you an opportunity to observe your cat's behaviour for any changes.

Use Calming Products and Supplements:

Consult your veterinarian about pheromone products, calming supplements, or herbal remedies that can help relieve stress and anxiety in your cat. These products use natural ingredients, pheromones, or herbal extracts to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Always follow your veterinarian's recommendations and guidelines for usage and dosage.

Use calming products

Calming products can be an effective way to help your cat feel safe and relaxed, reducing their urge to spray. Pheromone sprays, collars, or diffusers can be used to calm your cat by releasing synthetic pheromones. Cats use pheromones as a form of chemical communication, and synthetic pheromone products can help to create a calming environment. For example, the Feliway Classic spray is clinically proven to help reduce spraying, with improvements seen within the first week. The spray contains synthetic feline facial pheromones that cats deposit when they feel comfortable and relaxed, marking their territory as familiar and secure.

Another option is the Feliway Optimum Diffuser, which releases a complex of calming pheromones into the environment, creating a sense of serenity and security to help reduce spraying behaviour. Place them in the room where your cats spend most of their time, or if spraying occurs in multiple areas, plug the diffuser into the room where your cat spends most of its time.

Calming treats or supplements can also be used to help your cat feel less stressed. For example, Zesty Paws Calming Bites contain an herb called ashwagandha, which helps reduce anxiety in cats. Similarly, Zylkene and Purina Calming Care are calming supplements that can be used to reduce anxiety and stress. However, they should be used for additional emotional support and not as the sole treatment for urine spraying.

If your cat is anxious, a Thundershirt can also help them feel calm by gently squeezing them. It is important to introduce your cat to the Thundershirt gradually to ensure they are comfortable wearing it.

Before using any calming product, it is recommended to consult your vet to find the best product for your cat. It is also a good idea to identify what is causing the spraying, such as a health problem, and address this issue.

Manage multiple cats

Managing Multiple Cats

Having more than one cat in your home can cause stress and spraying because cats might fight over territory. To prevent this, there are several steps you can take:

• Provide separate resources for each cat: Give each cat their own litter box, bed, and food bowl. The general rule of thumb is to have one resource per cat plus an extra one to reduce competition. For example, if you have two cats, provide three litter boxes, three beds, and three food bowls.
• Spread out resources: Place the resources in different locations around the house so that each cat has their own space and can easily access their resources without intruding on another cat's territory.
• Create separate areas: If possible, provide each cat with their own set of resources in separate areas of the home. This helps create a sense of ownership and security for each cat.
• Avoid close quarters: Ensure that there is more than one entry and exit point to key areas and resources to prevent cats from feeling trapped or forced into close contact with another cat.
• Provide elevated platforms: Install cat shelves or provide cat trees to help cats avoid each other if needed. These platforms also function as lookout areas, increasing their sense of security.
• Alone time: Some cats benefit from having time and space to themselves, away from other cats. If one cat is being bullied, consider installing a microchip-activated cat flap that only they can access, leading to a room with their own resources.
• Separate feeding stations: While cats can eat next to each other, they are naturally solitary hunters and feeders. Being forced to eat next to another cat, especially one they don't get along with, can cause stress. Prepare their food separately and feed them in different areas.
• Quality time: Spend equal amounts of quality time with each cat to maintain a positive relationship with all your cats.
• Physical and mental activities: Provide opportunities for physical and mental stimulation for all your cats. Regular playtime and hunting-style toys will keep them physically active, while puzzle feeders will provide mental stimulation.
• Reward positive behaviour: Reinforce calm and peaceful behaviour by rewarding your cats with praise or treats when they are near each other and relaxed. This will help create a positive association between the cats.
• Pheromone diffusers: Use calming pheromone diffusers, such as Feliway Optimum, on each floor of your house to promote a sense of harmony between cats and reduce aggression.
• Bells on collars: Putting bells on quick-release collars can help cats avoid each other, minimising conflict and tension in the home.

Remember, the key to managing multiple cats and preventing spraying is to reduce competition and stress by providing separate resources, spaces, and attention for each cat.

Treat medical conditions

While spraying is usually a behavioural issue, it can sometimes be caused by a medical problem. If your cat has started spraying indoors, you should take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health conditions.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis (inflammation or infection of the urinary tract) can cause cats to need to wee more often, and the infection can make cats urinate immediately, rather than making it to the litter tray. Kidney and thyroid diseases, as well as diabetes mellitus, can also lead to cats drinking and urinating more frequently.

Older cats may also experience joint stiffness, which can make it difficult to use the cat flap or get outside. Arthritis can also make cats feel more insecure, as they cannot escape as easily as they did when they were younger.

Conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes can increase thirst and, therefore, urination. If the litter tray is constantly wet, your cat may not want to use it.

Finally, as cats age, they may experience a decline in memory, which can cause them to forget behaviours they have learned, such as where to go to the toilet.

Frequently asked questions