How To Stop a Cat from Spraying

Years ago, I owned a male cat that suddenly started spraying in the house. At first, I thought it was just a refusal to share the litter box with my other cat. When buying a separate litter box didn’t address the issue, I decided it was time to look at other possibilities.

I learned that not only is it an annoying habit, but unfortunately, it can also be a difficult problem to break. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons why male cats spray and what can be done to break the habit.

Why cats spray

The most important thing to realize is that cat spraying isn’t a litter box problem. Cats, like most animals, are very territorial. Generally, spraying is a way to let other cats know “Hey, this is my turf!”

If you notice that your cat is spraying in a particular area of the house (ie. Near a window or door), there’s a good chance that another cat is hanging around nearby.

Some cats will also begin spraying due to anxiety or a perceived threat. Upsetting a cat’s routine such as when a new baby comes home, introducing a new cat, or having to share a box with several other cats can sometimes start the behavior.

In my case, not only had we recently had a new baby, but we’d also moved into a new house. A double whammy for poor Moses.

So how do I stop my cat from spraying?

Talk with your vet - Because there can be medical reasons for the sudden onset of cat spraying, it’s important to make sure that there isn’t a physical problem causing the behavior.

Neutering - Another great reason to have your cat neutered. Male cats often begin spraying around the time they reach maturity. By neutering your cat early, there is a good chance that you’ll avoid the onset of this behavior from the start.

Pheromones - Pheromone products like Feliway may be used to stop cat spraying. The release of these pheromones helps to calm cats’ anxiety, fear and stress. It’s also very helpful in multi-cat homes; because of its soothing qualities it can lessen fighting and aggression as well.

What worked for me? Neutering my cat Moses eliminated our spraying problem.
I must admit, it wasn’t an instant solution. He did continue to spray for several months, although as time went by, it was less and less. Finally, after about 6 months we’d licked the cat spraying habit.

Tags: cat spraying, cat training, male cat spraying