Why is my cat spraying in the house?

Spraying (urine marking) is different from urination outside the litter box. Understanding the difference is the first step to solving the problem.

Urination vs. spraying

- Urination — the cat squats and deposits urine on a horizontal surface (floor, rug, laundry). Usually a medical or litter box setup problem.
- Spraying — the cat stands, backs up to a vertical surface (wall, sofa, door), tail vibrating, and releases a small amount of urine. This is marking behaviour — the cat is leaving a scent signal.

Why cats spray

- Intact (unneutered) cats — the primary cause. Spraying in intact males and females is hormonally driven. Neutering eliminates spraying in approximately 90% of male cats and 95% of female cats if done before the behaviour is established.
- Stress and territory — neutered cats spray when feeling insecure about their territory. Common triggers:
- A new cat in the household or a cat visible through the window
- Moving house
- Changes in routine or household members
- A new baby, partner, or pet
- Multi-cat household conflict — even cats that appear to "get along" may have subtle tension that triggers spraying

Management strategies

- Neuter first — if the cat is intact, neutering is the most effective single intervention
- Feliway Classic diffuser — synthetic feline facial pheromone (F3 fraction) that signals the environment is safe and claimed territory. Place it near spray sites or in areas of conflict. Takes 2–4 weeks for full effect.
- Identify and reduce the stressor — if a neighbourhood cat is visible through the window, block visual access. If it is a new pet, slow down the introduction process.
- Clean spray sites thoroughly — use an enzymatic cleaner (not bleach — ammonia in urine smells like urine to the cat). Bleach increases the urge to re-mark.
- Increase resource access — ensure each cat has their own food, water, litter boxes, and sleeping areas without competition

Flovvi tip

Log spray locations and times in Flovvi. Spraying near windows and doors indicates territorial triggers from outside; spraying near beds and clothes indicates close-proximity stress (another pet, a new person).