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Cat spraying is a behavioral problem that most cat owners will have to deal with at some point. It occurs when a cat wishes to mark its territory, and it does so with a spray of urine onto the wall, a piece of furniture, or anything else that gets in the way.

Cat spraying is a natural means of cat communication. This action is how a cat communicates to a potential mate, a rival, or you as an owner. It may simply be expressing its dissatisfaction with some aspect of its life.

Cat spraying may seem innocent, but that doesn't mean that cat lovers shouldn't focus on getting rid of it. Don't punish your cats for spraying, because they don't intend any harm and are just following their natural instincts. The most effective and simplest way to put an end to cat spraying is neutering your cat, since most spraying incidents come from attempts to attract a mate. If you remove the cat's desire to mate, you should eliminate the problem.

If you can't get your cat neutered, or neutering doesn't stop him from spraying, you should think about figuring out the source of the problem that's causing your cat to spray. If he doesn't get along with another cat in the environment, try separating them for a time. Cat spraying can also be due to a medical problem, and is something you should discuss with your veterinarian.

Clean all areas that have been sprayed. This helps to remove some of the temptation to spray in the same place again. It's important to note that cat pheromones often can't be smelled by humans, so be sure to use a strong antibacterial cleanser that will eliminate the odor entirely.

If none of these solutions seem to work, your cat may simply be unhappy in your home. Maybe he's outgrown the size that he's allowed to roam in, maybe he doesn't like his new food, or perhaps he just doesn't like being left alone during the day. Again, a veterinarian should be consulted.

The way a cat behaves can often be mystifying, but you may find logical explanations for your cat's spraying or other harmful actions if you look for them and try to understand how they're thinking. A cat can't voice his opinions, so when he's upset about something he may spray, claw furniture, or act in a non-normal (and sometimes vocal) manner. By trying to figure out your cat's problem, you might find that the solution is more simple than you would have thought.

Cat spraying is a cat behavior that even the most devout cat lovers want eliminated. Don't punish the cat, they are just doing what's in their nature. If you can't get your cat neutered, or neutering doesn't stop the spraying, find out causing your cat to spray. If he doesn't get along with another cat in the environment, try separating. Spraying can also be due to a medical problem, so consult your veterinarian. Cat urine contains pheromones which humans may not smell. Clean all affected areas with a strong antibacterial cleanser to eliminate the odor completely. This will prevent the cat from using the same area again.