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 urine is full of pheromones, which are chemicals that animals secrete to communicate with one another. When your cat sprays, it is most likely either trying to attract a mate, trying to repel a rival, or just showing that it is stressed about something.

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 your cat is still spraying even after having been neutered, that there must be some other reason that your cat is spraying. If you have noticed that your cat is regularly fighting with another cat, make sure to keep them separated. You should also discuss the situation with your veterinarian, since cat spraying is often a symptom of an underlying medical problem.

Unless you clean all areas that have been sprayed thoroughly with a strong antibacterial cleanser, your cat will be tempted to spray the same area again. Remember when you spray that you probably cannot smell cat pheromones, but your cat can, so clean well to totally get rid of the odor.

If none of the options presented work, your cat could just be unhappy living with you. She may have outgrown the environment she's allowed to freely roam in, her new food may disagree with her, or she simply might not like being alone all day. If this is the case, talk to a veterinarian.

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.

As innocent as the reasons behind cat spraying may be, it is a behavior that even the most devout cat lovers want to eliminate. Don't be tempted to punish your cats for spraying - after all, they are just doing what's in their nature. A cat behaviorist can help you get to the bottom of your problems with your cat by reviewing the steps you've already taken and what your living situation is like. There are many reasons why a cat will have behavior problems, including his food, his health, or his lack of companionship. Your vet can also help you work this out.