Cat spraying is a very common – if annoying – behaviour in cats. To prevent your cat from spraying in unwanted places such as on your furniture, the first step is understanding why they might be doing it.

What is cat spray?

Cat’s use urine spraying as a scent signal for themselves or other cats. When a cat sprays, they will be standing up, quiver their tail and urine will be sprayed backwards to create a scent mark onto vertical surfaces such as a door, window, curtain, furniture or even shopping bags. This is very different to a normal urination, when a cat will squat and the urine will be on a flat surface.

Do only male cats spray?

Although urine spraying is more common in male cats, both male and female cats can urine spray. It is more common in cats that have not been neutered.

Why do cats spray?

Cat spraying can happen for many different reasons, including:  

• Trying to attract a mate – a cat who hasn’t been neutered will use spraying as a way to attract a mate.
• Stress spraying – this is when your cat is reacting to change in their surroundings or environment such as: the addition of new animals or people to the household; conflict with other cats in the household, a large number of cats in the house, a strange cat entering the house or any change to the safe space they use to eat, sleep or play in.
• Medical issues – any medical condition causing localised pain or discomfort, such as cystitis, can cause a cat to take a spraying position to urinate.
• Communicating with other cats – cats will sometimes spray outdoors as a way to communicate with other cats, as cats “talk” to each other with scent.

Cat spraying is a very common – if annoying – behaviour in cats. To prevent your cat from spraying in unwanted places such as on your furniture, the first step is understanding why they might be doing it.

What is cat spray?

Cat’s use urine spraying as a scent signal for themselves or other cats. When a cat sprays, they will be standing up, quiver their tail and urine will be sprayed backwards to create a scent mark onto vertical surfaces such as a door, window, curtain, furniture or even shopping bags. This is very different to a normal urination, when a cat will squat and the urine will be on a flat surface.

Do only male cats spray?

Although urine spraying is more common in male cats, both male and female cats can urine spray. It is more common in cats that have not been neutered.

Why do cats spray?

Cat spraying can happen for many different reasons, including: 

• Trying to attract a mate – a cat who hasn’t been neutered will use spraying as a way to attract a mate
• Stress spraying – this is when your cat is reacting to change in their surroundings or environment such as: the addition of new animals or people to the household; conflict with other cats in the household, a large number of cats in the house, a strange cat entering the house or any change to the safe space they use to eat, sleep or play in.
• Medical issues – any medical condition causing localised pain or discomfort, such as cystitis, can cause a cat to take a spraying position to urinate.
• Communicating with other cats – cats will sometimes spray outdoors as a way to communicate with other cats, as cats “talk” to each other with scent.

How to stop cats from spraying?

Understanding the reason behind why your cat is spraying will help you to figure out how to make them stop. Don’t shout at them or reprimand them for it, as stress will most likely make them spray more.

If your cat is not already neutered, talk to your vet about booking them in for a neutering operation, as the condition is more common in un-neutered cats.

If your male or female cat is already neutered and is spraying in the house, and you wish for them to stop, think about anything that may have triggered it, for example new furniture or decorations, introducing or even losing another cat or pet, or any changes in their usual surroundings.

It is important to seek veterinary advice, as your cat may have a medical reason for the spraying and needs to be checked over to rule out any other issues. If your cat is neutered and no medical cause is found, your veterinary team will be able to help address any behavioural problems to help stop the spraying.

With Asda Money Pet Insurance, you can get access to a 24-hour Vet Advice Line so you can get help if you’re concerned about your cat.