Why Do Female Cats Spray?

Cat Spraying vs. Peeing

Both spraying and urination deal with pee, which makes it hard for cat owners to precisely distinguish one from the other. We will break down their differences, so you can easily tell when your cat is spraying.
 

Urination

• Cats urinate by squatting on horizontal surfaces.
• Regular urination occurs within the litter box. However, if a cat has medical issues such as urinary tract infections or has problems with her litter, she may inappropriately relieve herself outside it.
• A large amount of urine is often released when cats urinate.

Spraying

• Also known as urine marking, it is commonly deposited on a vertical surface and outside the litter box. Cats rarely spray on horizontal areas.
• When cats spray, they tend to release their urine whilst standing up and their rear pointing to the target. It is often accompanied by a tail quiver or a body shake.
• The amount of urine deposited when spraying is lesser than during regular urination.

Male vs. Female Cat Spraying Frequency

You might wonder: “Do male cats spray more than female cats?” Whilst spraying can be exhibited by both male and female cats, males display this behavior more often than female ones.
 

Moreover, intact males are highly predisposed to urine spraying.
 

However, regardless of gender, the causes behind this behavior generally intersect with each other.
 

Top 4 Reasons for Female Cat Spraying

Why do female cats spray? Spraying is a mode of communication between felines, including female cats, just like their vocalizations. Their urine contains hormones, which give other cats cues on what message they are trying to convey.
 

Here are the most common reasons why female cats spray urine:
 

1. Female cat spraying is a way to attract mates.

Why do female cats spray in heat? Unsprayed female cats spray when in heat to draw the attention of males near the vicinity.
 

Due to their estrous, their urine spray has higher concentrations of hormones and pheromones, which easily gain the interest of potential mates.
 

Other signs that may indicate a female cat is in heat are:
 

• Increased vocalizations
• Attempts to go outdoors
• Turns extra affectionate
• Constantly rubs her face on surfaces

Some cat owners ask: “When do female cats start spraying?” A female cat starts spraying once she reaches sexual maturity, which is around 6 months of age. Her male counterpart also begins to manifest this behavior when they reach the same age.
 

2. Spraying can occur when a female cat feels stressed.

Sudden changes in a female cat’s daily routine and regular environment can leave her in distress. Her stress can manifest in the form of urine spraying. Some potential environmental stressors that can set off this behavior are:
 

• Addition of a new pet in the household
• Redecorating or moving into a new home
• Loud noises blasting in the house
• Owner’s long period of absence
• Excessive petting

If you ask yourself, “Why do female cats spray when stressed?” We have mentioned that female cats spray to communicate with other felines.
 

However, they can also use urine spraying to tell you they are not receptive to the new changes in their surroundings.
 

3. Female cats spray to deter other felines.

Do female cats spray to mark their territory? Female cats can be territorial too, and their initial way of defending their homes is through spraying. By marking their territory, they are sending out a warning to stay out of their space.
 

Although common in outdoor cats, territorial-driven spraying may also happen to indoor felines. It may particularly occur when living in a home with multiple cats or when strays trespass on the lawn.
 

4. Female cat spraying is a sign of an underlying health issue.

Behavioral issues are not the only cause of urine spraying in female cats. Around 30% of cats spray due to medical conditions such as cystitis or feline lower urinary tract disease.
 

Female cats with renal problems may urinate in a spraying posture because of their discomfort.
 

Eliminating Female Cat Spraying Odor

Do female cats’ spray smell? Urine spraying in female cats comes with a pungent smell. The chemicals in their pee, which are significant for feline communication, are the leading cause of the strong odor.
 

What does a cat spray smell like? The smell of cat spray is unique to every feline. However, as our noses are less superior to cats, what we only smell is a sweet and musty odor. Some cat owners describe cat spraying scent as similar to ammonia.
 

Here are some tips that you can try to prevent your home from stinking of cat urine spray:
 

1. Clean your pet’s urine immediately. The longer you leave it out, the smellier it will get. Use soapy water and a cloth to blot it dry. Avoid scrubbing, as it will cause the scent to stick more on the furniture, clothing, or floor.

1. Apply an enzyme-neutralising cleaner on the areas where your cat sprayed. This type of cleaner contains beneficial bacteria that help break down the molecules in the urine. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
4. 
   Never use an ammonia-based cleaner to get rid of the smell. It would only encourage your cat to spray on the area again.

1. Let all the areas dry naturally. Do not apply heat, such as a steam cleaner, since it will cause staining. Put an upturned box on the places where you have applied the cleaner.
   This will allow natural air to get in whilst preventing your cat from spraying these areas again.

1. Take note of how many times your female cat has sprayed in certain areas of your home. Also, record the efforts you have made to inhibit this behavior. This way, you will have an idea of whether your methods are working.

5 Ways to Keep a Female Cat from Spraying

Urine spraying in female cats can be frustrating for pet owners to deal with, as it is often a persistent problem. However, do not let it get to you. Take a deep breath and focus on finding solutions.
 

So how do you stop a female cat from spraying? There are several things you can do to stop your cat from spraying, which mainly involves making some adjustments to her living environment. Here are some useful tips you can do to stop cat spraying:
 

1. Check for any medical conditions.

Make sure to rule out any health issues before looking into other causes of your female cat’s spraying. The vet will recommend various medical tests, mainly focusing on the urinary system, such as blood count, chemistry, and urinalysis.
 

2. Get your female cat spayed.

If you have confirmed that your feline friend has no health issues, proceed with spaying. It stops her from going into heat, which will greatly reduce her urine-spraying tendencies.
 

It is often asked: “Do female cats spray after being fixed?” Yes, a few cats do continue to spray after being fixed. According to research, only 5% of spayed female cats and 10% of neutered males continue to spray.
 

Generally, it is recommended to get a cat spayed or neutered between 5–6 months of age. Reducing urine spraying is not the only benefit of owning a fixed cat.
 

She is also less at risk of unwanted pregnancy and certain health issues like uterine infections and breast cancer.
 

3. Identify and remove the environmental stressor.

Take note of any recent changes in your current lifestyle that affected your cat’s routine. Then slowly start making adjustments in your home life to make her feel safer and more secure.
 

For instance, if your home is under renovation, place her in an area far from loud noises. Turn on the TV or radio on a low volume to help drown out the cacophony of sounds.
 

Or, if you are out for extended periods, keep your cat from feeling lonely by leaving interactive toys such as puzzle feeders or treat dispensers. It is also a good idea to hook pet cameras in your home, so you can interact with her even when you are away.
 

4. Encourage peaceful coexistence in the household.

Tension in a multi-cat household can be reduced by ensuring each cat has its own safe space. Make sure your home has many perching areas like cat trees or hammocks so that they have someplace to rest away from others.
 

If feeding times tend to cause conflicts between cats, feed them in different rooms. Using baby gates is also an excellent alternative to keep them separate from each other.
 

Another route you can take is placing their food bowls on different vertical levels. It provides them with a good view below, allowing them to feel safer whilst eating.
 

5. Drive away outdoor cats from your lawn.

Indoor female cats might mark their territory whenever they see other felines outdoors. Stop strays from visiting the yard by:
 

• Avoid the habit of leaving your trash can open for felines to scavenge. Cover them tightly with a bungee cord.
• Planting flowers that produce offensive scents to cats, such as geranium, rue, and lemon thyme. Other natural repellents that you can use are citrus peels, tobacco, and coffee grounds.
• Placing prickly items on the soil, as they are uncomfortable for felines to walk on. Some good options are pine cones, eggshells, or a plastic carpet runner with the knobby side up.

If you have tried all these solutions but do not see any progress, seek a professional’s help.
 

A certified animal behaviorist can help assess your female cat’s spraying issue. They also provide more helpful inputs on how you can successfully solve this problem.