Marking behavior is when a cat feels the urge to indicate its territory by urinating outside the box. However, some underlying health disorders and some environmental factors might lead a cat to urinate beyond the litter box. If this behavior occurs more than once or twice, you should take your cat to the veterinarian to rule out any health problems. If it is marking behavior, you can make efforts to stop it.

Making a Mark on Their Ground

Cats mark an area that is important to them with urine. Cats often get along nicely until they attain social maturity, which occurs between 2 and 4. House-soiling is characterized by squatting and depositing feces on a horizontal surface, whereas urine marking is more likely to target vertical surfaces. On the other hand, Cats can pee on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Although intact male cats are more likely to spray urine, neutered cats of either sex can choose to baptize the house.

Examine the Litter box

Cats will ignore the litter box if it's in the incorrect place, such as too close to food or sleeping areas, if it's dirty, or if they have to share it with another cat. They might not want to go after another kitten, or they might want a separate box for food and liquids. Cats have particular preferences for the types of box filters or surfaces, and the box may be too tiny for a big-tailed feline at times.

Stress Reduction

Spreading the aroma of urine about the house can help cats relax. Cats are creatures of habit, and anything that disrupts their routine irritates them. It can make their tails twitch. It may be anything from new drapes to a stray cat patrolling outside the window to an erratic work schedule. When stray cats go into heat in the spring, the scent and sound might cause indoor cats to feel more anxious and territorially mark their territory.

Furthermore, stress might exacerbate any physical or behavioral issues. So, whether your cat's problem is health-related or purely territorial, a stress-reduction program should assist.

Use Feliway and Rescue Remedy to help you.

If you have more than one cat, they may have attained social maturity and are vying for dominance in the house. The Feliway synthetic pheromone can be beneficial since it alerts the cat to the safety of its surroundings. For a small percentage of cats, Rescue Remedy reduces stress.

Remove the odor and form new associations.

Keep an eye out for your cat's urine stains. Urine should glow under a black light, allowing you to see any dirty areas. Clean thoroughly with an odor neutralizer, such as Anti-Icky-Poo, to remove the odor that attracts cats to the crime scene (and fragrance). Ammonia and bleach are also effective. The idea of preventing cat urine marking is to remove the stink so that the cat won't go there again.

Then, just on top of the site, install toys, a cat bed, or food bowls to change the place's association. Cats will avoid spraying in areas where they play, sleep, or feed. Spraying Feliway on the offending site can also help prevent a repeat offense.

Add a Second Litter Box

You may need to cuddle twice as much if you have numerous cats (or more). Please provide at least one litter box per cat, and distribute them throughout the house. Please make sure they're enormous because some cats enjoy having more room to move around.

Likewise, provide scratching objects and resting spots for each cat in various locations throughout the house. Cats can use the extra vertical space to climb and get away from one other, each with its resting spot. Single-cat shelves (with only enough room for one cat) can eliminate the need for cats to share.

If your cat won't stop, see your veterinarian.

Kidney disease and diabetes can cause the cat's urine volume to increase, making it impossible to reach the litter box in time. Bladder stones, crystals, bacterial infection, or malignancy that causes bladder inflammation can cause feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) (cystitis).

Cystitis hurts cats and makes them feel compelled to "go" more frequently. They may link the litter box with discomfort and seek alternative locations to urinate.

Furthermore, 60 percent of these cases are idiopathic, meaning no known cause makes the medical condition challenging to treat. Idiopathic cystitis symptoms usually go away on their own after five to seven days, but they can reoccur, particularly in stressful settings.

 Urine Marking treatment for cats

Here are a few options for dealing with an intact cat's urine-marking behavior: Your cat should be neutered or spayed. Although cats mark for various reasons, one of the most common is to attract a partner. For cats that use their markings as a reproductive advertisement, neutering or spaying is a proven treatment. Shades, windows, and doors should all be closed. Keep your indoor cat away from the neighborhood's other cats.

Treating Urine Marking in a Multi-Cat Household Caused by Conflict

The first step in resolving any problem with elimination is to rule out medical issues. Although there is no specific medical disease that causes urine marking in cats, physical difficulties may cause them to become more anxious, leading to marking. Consider the following advice after your veterinarian has confirmed that your cat does not have a medical ailment or issue:

Determine which cat is marking the territory. If you have several cats and aren't sure which one is marking,, talk to your veterinarian about giving one fluorescein, a safe dye. Although the dye does not usually stain furniture or walls, it does cause urine to glow blue for around 24 hours when exposed to ultraviolet light. If you can't get fluorescein or use it, you can confine your cats one at a time to see which one is marking.

Make sure there are enough litter boxes. Although marking is not an elimination problem, there will be a dispute over litter box use if there aren't enough litter boxes for all cats. This may help with marking. Make sure each cat in the house has its box. as well as one extra. For example, if you have three cats, you'll need at least four litter boxes. Additional boxes should be placed in areas where the worried (marking) cat spends most of his time.

Place litter boxes in regions with less traffic and at least two exit routes. Again, the goal is to keep cats from fighting. Additionally, keep the boxes away from your dog's food and water dishes if you have one. Cats can mark in response to other cats as well as canines.

At least once a day, scoop. Once a week, thoroughly clean all litter boxes with warm water and unscented soap, or baking soda and no soap, and completely replenish the litter, in addition to scooping it daily—this aids in the reduction of any unpleasant "other cat" odor

Multiple perching locations should be available. Cats require their area. Providing additional perching areas for all cats to rest comfortably away from one another can typically lessen conflict. Clearing window sills or shelves or acquiring multi-perch cat trees will help you make more space.

Distribute the available resources. Provide multiple food, water, scratching posts, and toys so that each cat can utilize them without coming into touch with or causing a quarrel with another cat.

Have some fun with your pets.

Increased playtime with individual cats in various house locations can help to lessen conflict. Toys that dangle from strings suspended from sticks can be used to encourage play. Attempts to promote mutual freedom can sometimes help ease friction, but if your cats react negatively to one another at the sight of each other, it may merely escalate the conflict. For more information on reducing conflict between cats in your household, visit our article on Aggression Between Cats in Your Household.

Clean any messes thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner developed to neutralize pet odors. Almost all pet stores carry this type of cleaning.

Use a synthetic cat pheromone in locations where the cat has left its mark. This type of item emits a synthetic pheromone that has been shown to assist cats in coping with stress. To deliver the pheromone, use a diffuser near where your cat has seen outdoor cats. This therapy is usually available as a spray or a diffuser and can be found at many pet stores and on the internet.

Make use of pharmaceuticals. Because marking is generally a sign of stress or worry, medication can help with additional treatment. Talk to your veterinarian, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), or a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior before employing behavioral medication (Dip ACVB). These animal behavior specialists can examine your cat's behavior problem and help you establish a treatment plan, as well as make medicine suggestions and work with your veterinarian to make sure your cat's treatment program is as successful as possible. If you need help finding a behavior specialist in your area, please see our page Finding Professional Behavior Help.

Urine Marking Caused by Outdoor Cat Conflict Treatment

If a conflict with an outdoor cat has produced urine-marking behavior, try the following suggestions. Shades, windows, and doors should all be closed. Keep your indoor cat away from the neighborhood's other cats. Connect a motion-detection device to your lawn sprinkler. To keep cats away from your windows, place a sprinkler near them. If your cat is in good health, neuter or spay him.

Use a synthetic cat pheromone in locations where the cat has left its mark. This type of item emits a synthetic pheromone that has been shown to assist cats in coping with stress. To deliver the pheromone, use a diffuser near where your cat has seen outdoor cats. This therapy is usually available as a spray or a diffuser and can be found at many pet stores and on the internet.

Make use of pharmaceuticals. Medication could help with treatment because marking is often a sign of stress or worry. Always consult your veterinarian, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), or a veterinary behaviorist before giving your cat any medication for a behavior problem (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior, Dip ACVB).

Conclusion

Urine spray marking is a natural reaction of cats to their surroundings, so don't think they're attempting to get even with you when they urinate outside the box. Furthermore, some diseases, including kidney disease, might result in an increased urine volume, making your cat find it challenging to go to the litter box on time. If the urine spray marking remains after doing all of the above procedures, you should visit your veterinarian.