1. Spay or Neuter Your Cat. Spay or neuter your cat(s) if they haven't been already. While desexed cats can still spray, getting them neutered will help curb this behavior This will reduce their hormone levels and is likely to diminish their urge to spray. Female cats can spray but it is not as common as with male cats.
2. Find The Source of The Stress. Determine the conflict that is causing them stress so you can solve it. Look for signs of feral or stray cats lurking outside, such as cat droppings or dead rodents or birds left on porches. A feral cat’s presence could be threatening your cat’s authority. If you have other pets, determine whether they could be bullying or harassing your cat.
3. Use An Enzyme Based Cleaner. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner like Every Cat Litter Spray, to eliminate odors on bedding and floor that can prompt them to respray in those areas.
4. Multiple Litter Boxes. A tip to stop the spray would be to increase the number of litter boxes for your cat. Sometimes cats, especially older cats, will tend to get lazy and not want to climb stairs to use the bathroom. Its important that you have one litter box per floor and if you have more than one cat you should have one litter box per cat in the home.
5. Playtime. A regular schedule gives your cat a sense of stability and structure. Leave your pet some educational and interactive toys to keep them busy while you’re not there, and enjoy some regular play sessions when you come home so they feel loved and cared for. Learn more in our guide to cat exercise.
6. Provide Human Connection & Interaction. It is important to provide stability and structure in their every day routine. Daily human interaction is important to reduce any behavioral issues which directly results in less spraying.
7. Positive Reinforcement. To help your cat stop spraying you can use positive reinforcement with them. You can change his or her association with their favorite spraying spot by doing other activities in that space such as cuddling, petting, playing or even eating.
8. Consult Your Vet. If all else fails you should discuss spraying problems with your vet, who can check for medical or physical issues that may be contributing to your cat’s behaviour. Your vet can also put you in touch with a cat behavioural specialist, who can assess your cat’s habits, breed traits and lifestyle, and offer additional advice and tips.
