Although spraying is perfectly normal for cats, it can be something of a nuisance for cat owners. In the next couple of posts I shall explain spraying; what it is, why cats do it, what causes it, how best to clean it up and what you can do to prevent it.

Spraying is a method of communication in cats; it carries information regarding a cat’s gender, age, health and even their social status and rank! Cats spray whilst standing, at a level that will be nose-height to other cats. It is a very common behaviour when there are lots of cats around, as it helps establish a hierarchy without confrontation.

However, cats will sometimes spray without an obvious cause or reason – when they are alone in the house, for example. Sometimes this may be because they perceive a threat outside, though other times cats like to mix their scent with your own, as a way of making themselves feel more comfortable in their territory and environment. As nice a gesture as this is, it can be frustrating!

Finally, there can be medical reasons behind behaviour similar to; lower urinary tract disease can cause urine to be deposited around the house, yet is nothing to do with marking territory. Although easily treated, LUTD is potentially fatal if left undetected and we highly advise taking your cat to the vet if you are even slightly concerned.