It is crucial to distinguish between spraying, which is urine marking, and other elimination behavior. During normal urination the cat squats, depositing urine on horizontal surfaces. Spraying is quite different. The cat stands, lifts and wiggles its tail and anoints a vertical surface. Spraying is a means of communication when the cat is aggressive, territorial or highly aroused and frequently occurs in the context of courtship behavior. Intact males begin spraying at the onset of sexual maturity, while females commonly mark when they're in heat. Although most neutered cats do not spray, a few do so if aroused or upset by another cat, changes in the environment, or new items in the home. What's the solution? Neutering the cat will almost always stop the problem, regardless of the age of the cat or the length of time it has been spraying. If your cat sprays in a limited number of locations, placing food or water in these areas may work. Or, try repelling the cat from these areas by putting an odor there that the cat doesn't like, such as a bar of soap, an air freshener or lemon rinds.
