It's a common misconception that only unneutered male cats spray. New owners are often shocked to find their female cat marking up the curtains. Yes, female cats absolutely spray.
Why Do They Do It?
Spraying is a form of communication. Female cats spray to:
- Signal Mates: Unspayed females spray strong-smelling urine to attract males when they are in heat.
- Mark Territory: If they feel threatened by another pet or outdoor cat, they mark their turf.
- Express Stress: Changes in the household can trigger anxiety spraying.
Spraying vs. Peeing
It's important to know the difference. When peeing, a cat squats on a horizontal surface (hopefully the litter box). When spraying, the cat stands up, treads with her back paws, quivers her tail, and sprays urine backward onto a vertical surface like a wall or door.
How to Stop It
The most effective solution is spaying your cat, which resolves hormonal spraying in 90% of cases. For stress-related spraying, try pheromone diffusers (like Feliway) and ensuring plenty of clean litter boxes.
Advertisement
Conclusion
Don't blame your male cat immediately! Females are just as capable of leaving their mark.