“Spraying is especially common in cats within three months of being adopted or rescued”
Q Our recent rescue, a male cat named Frodo, is driving us mad by spraying urine on our furniture and walls. We are really at our wits’ end and would be glad for some drug-free treatments. What do you recommend?
K.C., via email
A House soiling is one of the most common behavioral problems leading cat owners to seek veterinary advice, and spraying is especially common in cats within three months of being adopted or rescued. The British Small Animal Veterinary Association defines three distinct forms of house soiling:
Inappropriate toileting. Urinating or defecating inappropriately with the intent of emptying the bladder or bowels.
Marking. Urinating or defecating with the intent of communication.
A form of urine marking where the cat stands with tail erect and twitching and forcefully ejects urine
