Do female cats spray?
Many people are aware that male cats who have not been neutered are more likely to indulge in spraying, which involves marking objects with urine. This is distinct from inappropriate urination, which occurs when a cat urinates on the floor, in the laundry, or on beds instead of in the litter box. When a cat backs up to an obstacle, the urine lands higher up on a surface such as a wall or a furniture arm, this is known as spraying.
Unneutered male cats are the most likely to spray. Neutered males and female cats may also participate in this activity, which may surprise some people.
What Is Cat Spraying, Exactly?
Cats urinating and peeing on a bed, rug, or pile of laundry may be a sign of inappropriate urination for a variety of reasons. Alternatively, the cat can stand, back up against a wall, door, or piece of furniture, and spray urine on a vertical surface in the usual “spraying” scenario. Cat parents must think like cats in order to recognize and avoid this behaviour, according to Dr. Lund. “Cats are compulsive control freaks. They like to be in command,” she observes.
According to the doctors, stress and anxiety, which cause uncertainty, fear, and timidity, will cause your cat to spray. Dr. says, “They’re trying to feel more secure.” The key idea for cat owners is that their cat does not believe their urine stinks. (Spraying) makes cats feel happier.”
Common Causes of Spraying
1. Illness
If your kitty seems to be messing up on purpose or has unexpectedly changed their behaviour, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re in good health. Health or medical condition may also exacerbate spraying, such as a bladder infection, which isn’t fun for your pet! Arthritis or old age can make it difficult for your cat to get in and out of the litter box, causing him to urinate outside of it. So, if you find anything odd, make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.
2. Preference of Litter Box
Does your cat have a problem or hate using the litter box? Investigate to see if this is the case. Consider the following scenario:
– Is the litter box sufficiently clean? Cats are very tidy animals. As a result, if their litter box is not as clean as they want, they will refuse to use it.
– Is your cat’s litter box always in a space where he can reach it? They need constant access and will not simply “keep it” if they need to leave but are unable to do so.
– Is the litter box situated at an inconvenient height? This can make access difficult for your cat, particularly if he or she is older.
– Have you experimented with various kinds of litter? Often the solution is as straightforward as your cat’s tastes! They might not like the litter you picked, so switch it up to allow them to use the litter box.
3. Limited Number of Litter Boxes
Do you have a lot of litter boxes in your house? You may not have enough cats if you have many. It’s a good idea to get one more litter box than cats.
If one of your fur-babies is a little on the shy side, make sure they have easy access to their own litter box. This should be a secure, out-of-the-way location where your cat will not be disturbed.
4. Anxiety or Unhappiness
Cats, like a lot of humans, like to be in control! They can spray if they are not fully happy or if they are experiencing stress or anxiety. They gain trust from the act of spraying as well as the smell. Spraying may occur as a result of a shift in your cat’s routine or lifestyle. Your feline pal is a creature of habit and dislikes change.
If you suspect stress is to blame, try to figure out what’s bothering your pet. For example, if your cat is intimidated by a scary neighbor cat outside the window, closing the blinds or windows will help. Your cat can be lonely and will benefit from daily playtime where you can lavish them with love and affection.
5. Habits of Scent
If your cat has a favorite spraying area, the scent could be luring them back for another round. To prevent this behavior, clean the area where your cat has urinated with soap and water or a urine stain and odor remover recommended by your veterinarian. Using ammonia-based or bleach-based cleaners sparingly, as they can encourage your cat to pee again.
Can Female Cat Spray Again After Spraying Once?
While spaying a female cat reduces the risk of her spraying, a small percentage of cats will still spray after this surgical procedure. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, 5% of female cats who have been spayed can continue to spray. Spaying a cat reduces defensive reasons for spraying because fewer hormones are influencing it. But your cat is still physically capable of spraying if it is something in its environment stress out or upset her .
How to Stop Cat Spraying?
It can be challenging and frustrating to avoid any form of improper elimination, including urine spraying, but there are a few things you can do.
1. Spaying – Spaying a female cat is the most effective way to reduce urine spraying. When a cat is young she usually does it, but it can also be done on older cats. Your veterinarian will suggest a time when your cat should be spayed.
2. Neutralizing the odor – If your cat has sprayed urine around the building, the first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of the odor. However, merely washing and deodorizing the mess won’t prevent your female cat from spraying in the same place again, so make sure you wipe up the urine with an enzymatic cleaner.
3. Changing of the litter – Switch to an unscented litter in a shallow, uncovered litter box if you think your female cat is spraying because of the litter.
4. Remove the stressor(s) –
If something in or near your home is making your cat agitated or stressed, do whatever you can to remove the stressor or at the very least block your cat’s view and hearing of it. Of course, depending on the type of environmental stressor, this isn’t always possible.
5. Pheromones – You can give Natural pheromones to your cat with sprays, wipes, and plug-ins. Also, Pheromones are odorless and aid in the relaxation of stressed cats.
6. Anxiety medications – If you can’t get rid of your cat’s stressor, prescription medications may help to calm him down.
7. Anxiety supplements – Supplements like L-theanine, milk whey protein, and colostrum, which are similar to anxiety medications, can help to relax your cat and reduce urine spraying.
8. Therapeutic diets – Your veterinarian might be able to recommend a therapeutic diet to help reduce urine spraying. Similar to anxiety supplements, these diets also include soothing ingredients.
What Could I Do to Stop My Cat From Spraying in My House?
A veterinary examination is often the first step. If it’s inappropriate urination, you’ll need to distinguish between spraying to inappropriate urination and make sure there’s no medical reason for it. Both cats in the house should either be neutered or spayed.
Any area where your cat has left a mark should be thoroughly cleaned with an enzymatic cat urine cleaner. Otherwise, the original cat, as well as those in the house, will continue to leave their mark on the area. A black-light will assist you in locating areas of urine that you might not be aware of.
Feliway is an excellent method for combating cat marking activity. It’s a drug that works by mimicking feline feel-good pheromones and can significantly reduce stress labeling. Feline Multicat is ideal for households with many cats that do not get along. It aids in the relaxation of all cats.
Make sure your house is littered with healthy scratching posts for your pets. Because scratching relieves tension in cats and is an alternative method of marking territory and passing scent information to other cats through the glands in the paws. Powerful, robust, tall, and numerous posts should be used.
More suggestions relevant to your household and cat can be obtained by consulting an animal behavior expert.
Read Why do cats chatter?
Interesting variant