What Does It Mean When A Cat Sprays
A cat spraying is a common problem for many cat owners, but it can be hard to know what to do about it. It can also seem like a pretty random behavior, as it’s not something you would expect from your kitty. However, there are some basic steps that you can take to work out what is causing this behavior and how to stop it if possible.
This is a litter box problem.
When a cat sprays, it’s usually the result of stress or anxiety. Cats are territorial and they spray to mark their territory. They can also spray to mark a new territory, or when there has been a change in their environment (like a new owner) or their family member?s behavior (like moving).
For example, if you’ve moved your cat from one apartment to another and left him alone for several days before bringing him back home he may be very upset about being away from his familiar surroundings so much time. By spraying on your furniture and walls, he is trying to make himself feel more secure by marking this new place as part of his territory too!
You may have a smell problem.
If you’re wondering why your cat sprayed, it’s likely because of a smell problem. The first thing you should check is their litter box. Is the litter box clean? Even if it looks clean, it can still have urine or fecal matter in it that your cat doesn’t like the smell of. You should change the litter on a regular basis and make sure to scoop out any clumps of feces as soon as they appear (this will help prevent infection). If you notice that your cat has been urinating outside of their designated area, but not inside, then there may be something wrong with their toilet habits. In this case, check with your veterinarian to see if they have any suggestions for treatment or behavioral therapy.
Check the litter box.
Cleaning and sanitizing the litter box is an important step to getting rid of the spray. If your cat has been marking because of a dirty litter box, try putting them in a different, clean one. If they’re spraying due to anxiety or fear, you may need to relocate their litter box. The aroma of food should not be near the litter area as it will encourage your cat to mark there more often.
If you notice that your cat sprays around their food bowl or near where they eat, consider moving it further away from their bedding areas.
If the cat still has an issue, it could be an underlying health issue.
If the cat still has an issue, it could be an underlying health issue.
These include:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Bladder infection (cystitis)
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
- Bladder stone (calculi)
- Bladder polyp or tumor
Cats can develop a preference for certain acceptable smells.
Since cats are so sensitive to smells, it’s not uncommon for them to develop preferences for certain scents. If you notice that your cat is spraying in one particular area of your home and not anywhere else, it may be because that place has a scent that she enjoys.
Cats also associate certain smells with certain people or things. For example, if you always rub her behind her ears when she comes running up to greet you after work every day—and especially if there is some catnip involved—she might develop an association between the two events and start spraying in front of the door when she sees you coming home from work. She can also become frustrated or defensive if her favorite person is around another animal they don’t get along with (like another cat). You can help avoid this by keeping her separated from other animals until they’re both comfortable around each other again.
Move the litter box to another part of the house.
You can test this theory by moving the litter box to another location in your home and seeing if it solves the problem. If you try this method, just make sure that you move the litter box somewhere quiet and out of sight for now.
If you’re convinced that a lingering scent is triggering your cat to spray more often than usual, there are some other things that you can try in order to reduce or eliminate it. For example:
- Clean thoroughly with an enzymatic odor eliminator
- Use a fan or air purifier (depending on where you have placed the litter box)
A cat spraying is not a happy or healthy sign, but it’s not to worry about at this point in time
If you are currently being attacked by a cat that is spraying, it is not a happy or healthy sign. The cat spraying is an indication that there may be some underlying issues with the cat and its environment, which can be addressed with proper training and care.
A cat spraying is not a happy or healthy sign, but it’s not to worry about at this point in time. If it continues, visit your veterinarian for an examination and any necessary treatment. In most cases, you can treat the cat by cleaning off all urine stains as soon as they happen and changing their litter box regularly.
