Cat Spraying...

Marking

It is fairly easy to distinguish between marking and inappropriate elimination if the cat sprays urine on vertical surfaces (backing up, release of small amounts of urine, twitching tail, treading with the hind legs). You will find small amounts of urine on walls and furniture in strategically important locations (passage ways, windows, doors, etc.). Marking on horizontal surfaces is rare.

Most commonly, other cats in the environment that induce territorial conflicts and aggression cause marking. Even after living together harmonically, problems can occur suddenly and cause the cats to be insecure and anxious. Other factors that have been linked to marking include: stray cats on the property, cats entering the house through cat flaps, construction and other noises, visitors, changes in family structure, owner's vacation, changes in daily routine, new furniture, and the scent of other animals on the owner's clothing or items that are brought home.

Marking with faeces (middening) is comparably rare. Stool is commonly deposited in locations that are associated with a specific person (i.e. clothing, spots where a person sat or their pillow in bed).

Treatment of urine marking

For successful treatment of marking, it is essential to determine the original cause of the behaviour. This includes conflicts between resident cats, stray cats that are seen through windows or encountered when the cat is allowed outside, or other stressors mentioned above. These issues have to be resolved with the help of behaviour modification or management to guarantee the best possible success.
Cats that are not neutered are more likely to mark than neutered cats (intact males > intact females > neutered males > spayed females). In this case, castration is the first step in treatment. The procedure will stop the undesired behaviour in up to 90% of all cases.
For prevention, it is suggested to castrate cats before 6 months of age. Long term studies with cats regarding the effects of early spay and neutering, show that the effects are overwhelmingly positive.
In addition, urine marking may respond well to medication and pheromone therapy.

Source: Dr. Petra Mertens, Pet Care Information Centre
www.petcare.umn.edu  

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