Difference in urinating and spraying?

Question

Hi

Our 6 month old male cat has taken to peeing on the cushions on our sofa. It's rarely a problem elsewhere, and our 6 month old female hasn't ever done such a thing.

Is he starting to spray or has he just developed an unpleasant habit? How can we stop it? I'm washing the cushions at 90 degrees Celcius.

Answer 1

my step moms cats do that all the time. Only the males ones though, so its likely that he is spraying. If you neuter him i think he will stop.

Answer 2

spraying is generally on walls of furniture. I would think hes just peeing on the cushions for now. A male or female that is spraying is "backing" up to the things and releasing a fine mist that is mixed with a STRONG musky odor. It is pointed upwards and is usually above the height of the animal. If you are 100% positive its the boy cat thats doing this then he might be getting ready to spray. Nueter him NOW. If he isnt already. Spay the female now. When they get home from there surgeries, confine them for 1 week in a bathroom or large large dog kennel with the litter box. Or try to confine them in the area where the box will be. Then observe there litterbox habits. This can re-establish good litterbox habits before releasing them back into the home enviroment. Be sure to wash the cushions well and use some vinegar in the wash water. This will eliminate the smell of Urea.
ADDTIONAL INFO: for all those who say nuetering a cat will fix this is not true, Nuetered cats will and can spray. Just nuetering him wont stop the spraying problem. Also males are not the ONLY ones that spray. Aggressive dominant female cats can and do spray, spayed or not. He's peeing at this time since its concentrated in one area on a cushions. Hes not spraying for territory yet. He will though if you let it continue. Nuetering and spaying the female will keep him from graduating into the spraying problems. If you just nueter him and dont spay the female, he will still be smelling that female in heat and can very well act like a un-nuetered male.

Answer 3

Its sounds like your cat might be upset. I read that they do this if they are feeling threatened. Does your cat go out side? do you have a cat flap? It might be that hes getting at hard time outside from another cat. Cats spray and wee in their home when they feel insecure, its a way of marking their territory and making themselves feel safer. You cant punish your cat, just find out what the problem could be and help them. Also make sure that you clean the pee up really well, as if he can still smell then he will continue to do the same.

Answer 4

Urinating, the cat squats to pee.
Spraying, the cat sprays pee on a vertical surface while standing up (sometimes he will knead his back legs as he is spraying).

Again: urinating- squating
spraying - standing

Cats use both positions to mark their territory with theur urine.

If you haven't yet had your 6 mnth old male fixed (neutered), you have to see it done as soon as possible before he does develop the habit spraying around the house. Usually (but not always), neutering fixes the problem of inappropriate peeing around the house.

Answer 5

The female will sit and urinating and for spraying that is something different. A female does not spray unless there is a male cat around then she will do it. The male cat will spray and they are standing on all four feet with the tail up and they will spray and their tail will shake. Have your cats been fixed if not the female is in heat because of the male cat around and thats why you are having problems with them.

Answer 6

It's considered spraying when an item is being marked horizontally (i.e. the wall, a stero speaker, the side of a couch). Urinating is usually done straight down in a squatting position.

If he isn't neutered, neutering might, MIGHT - but sometimes, once they start spraying, it doesn't stop, I speak from experience.

If he's urinating inappropriately, he may have a bladder/urinary infection, you might want to get that checked out but the vet. A simple urinalysis will let you know.

Answer 7

I used to have the same problem. This can be solved easily :
neuter him...or make sure the cleaning agent does not contain ammonia, which is one of the chemicals that cats(and other animals) can smell, and it makes them think this is part of their territory. You could also make him feel he is not welcome onto the furniture using a cat deterring spray (unsmelly to us) or a few drip of more smelly vinegar or orange peel on them..they don't like the smell. You could also put more toys on the floor (or catnip) or give him a few more litter trays (or a scratching post) Hope that helps

Answer 8

Urinating is just going to the bathroom like every animal does. Spraying urine is marking their territory/ trying to attract females. Females don't really spray........definately have the male neutered asap so hopefully it will break the habit before it gets older.

Answer 9

hello,
I recommend getting him into your Vet to check for urinary infection! Male cats can form crystals in their urinary tract, and yes, it sometimes can comes and go. Antibotics can help him.

He may have been forming these crystals for years, then have periods where they are not hurting so he uses the box.

Also make sure with 2 cats in the house, you have more than 1 box for them to use. Some cats will not use another's box!
another thing is you have to make sure your litter box is very clean, cats are very clean animals and will go outside there litter box if there box isnt clean enough for them.

I am giving you a link to an excellent article on feline inappropriate bathroom habits:

http://www.netcat.org/housesoiling.html

good luck

Answer 10

he could be peeing or spraying i need more info to tell but only males do this and you can make it stop by getting him fixed and urine gone is good for getting pet stains out. all hes doing is marking his territory because he likes it there!
if you don't get him spayed you'll get a litter. my cat used to do it all the time but the urine gone really helped and a black light can help find the spot.