How to Stop Cats Spraying and Urine Marking Outside Your Home with 8 Tips
- Rachel
- Apr 7, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
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8 Tips to Stop Cats from Urine Spraying Outside:
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Why Do Cats Urine Spray?
Unfortunately, urine spraying or "scent marking" is a normal part of being a cat and therefore not easily solved. Our furry friends use many different scents to map out their environment, from marking areas as safe and familiar to alerting other cats of their presence. You'll no doubt have seen them using the glands in their cheeks by rubbing their faces on anything and everything, which is healthy behaviour and positive signs of a happy kitty.
We take more notice of pee because it's a little - okay, a lot - more invasive, not to mention stinky. Stopping cats from spraying, whether inside or outside of the home, is best achieved through preventative measures and deterrents rather than punishment because, to them, it's a natural form of communication.
Related post: Why Do Cats Urine Spray in the House and How to Stop It?
What's not so normal and may indicate a potential issue is cats using urine spraying to mark areas where they feel threatened or there's some kind of external stressor. Once they've sprayed in a particular area, they'll be encouraged to do it again to surround themselves with their own scent, boosting confidence and security.
It's more common for cats to spray outdoors where there may be competition with other cats, so it becomes a literal pissing competition - nice! This ordinary behaviour can fast become a territorial war, and I know from experience the devastating effect it can have on resident cats.
Related post: 3 Reasons Why Your Bonded Cats Are Fighting
What's the Difference Between Urine and Spraying?
It's important to recognise the differences between urinating outside the litterbox and spraying because they can both indicate underlying issues. Understanding your cat's behaviour makes it easier to diagnose the problem and find a solution or remedy.
Cats will typically spray vertical surfaces rather than horizonal ones, such as walls and doors, so it looks more deliberate than a puddle on the floor. Both can be linked to stress or indicative of a medical issue, although spraying is usually associated with territory marking and mating - hence why it's a good idea to get cats neutered or spayed.
A cat that's spraying will have its tail vertical in the air to direct at a target in shorter bursts, rather than squatting to release a large amount of urine. The tail may also quiver and they sometimes make a treading motion with their back legs.
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Urine or spray contains information about a cat's age, sex and health amongst other things. It's an essential form of non-verbal communication, from mating availability to warning other cats to stay off their turf. Both male and female cats can spray, but it's more common in unneutered males that have the ability to mark frequently.
Tomcats have the strongest smelling urine and are far more territorial, but that doesn't mean they'll go looking for trouble. Cats will generally avoid confrontation, so fighting only occurs when two dominant cats encounter each other and neither is willing to back down; or as a last resort if one or both cats feel under threat. In simple feline terms, defending one's marked patch is threat enough!
Urine Marking and Territorial Aggression
If a stray enters your garden and picks up the scent of other cats, whether it's a household kitty or another stray, this could trigger a territorial reaction where they end up competing for that patch. Even spotting cats through a window might cause them to spray around the house or garden because they can't get inside.
With a sense of smell that's fourteen times stronger than a human's, rest assured that your fur babies will be able to detect an intruder well before you do - they might even start spraying within the house to combat it. Pee has a potential to create havoc in the home, and territorial wars are one of the main causes of inter-cat aggression.
If you’re familiar with My Story then this topic will come as no surprise, as it sparked several months of kitty hell when my boys turned on each other in ways I never could have imagined.
If you suspect an intruder may be upsetting your own kitties, bear in mind that visual sightings may only be half of the problem. One of my neighbours had indoor cats and Drax would often watch them window to window, so how was this any different? Could it be that he'd smelled the intruder through an old cat flap we had for previous four-legged residents?
Even so, there's no way it could get into the house because the flap was permanently locked. Perhaps it had sprayed in the yard or around the door, in which case a blast with the hosepipe should get rid of the problem.
Nope!
I didn't take into account another contributing factor: humans. Even dry urine will contain scent and pheromones that can be transported on the bottoms of our shoes. Was I the one bringing this filth into the house and upsetting my poor boy?
Perhaps it didn't occur to me sooner because Simba wasn't remotely bothered by it – or at least, he showed no signs of territorial aggression. The only thing that had upset him, unfortunately, was Drax.
How to Stop Cats from Spraying
1. Shoes
My first piece of advice, especially where resident kitties are concerned, is to invest in some outdoor-only shoes. This will help to limit unwanted behaviour and prevent the spread of urine. Shoes should be left in a shed or other storage option so that any issues are contained to outside the house.
If or when entering the home, use an antibacterial wipe on the soles and leave them by the door. If this seems inconvenient then consider the prospect of cleaning every room of every floor, which if we're going to be thorough, is exactly what you should be doing to scrub away traces of the "invasion".
Pet Fresh Cleaner & Disinfectant for indoors that can be used as is or diluted up to 100:1, with multiple scents to choose from and a whopping 5 litres. Keeps the house smelling fresh for days.
2. Deep Clean
After an initial deep clean, go over high-traffic areas once a week or until you start to see an improvement in your cat's behaviour. I recommend using a pet-safe disinfectant or carpet cleaner, paying special attention to areas that lead outside such as doorways. Wash both sides of the door and, if you have a yard or patio, soak and scrub it with a strong outdoor disinfectant.
3. Cat Flaps and Curtains
Cat flaps should be covered and close any curtains where you think an intruder might be spotted, especially overnight as cats are most active before sunrise and sunset. While this won't stop the spraying, it limits visual contact and is therefore less likely to attract strays to the area.
If curtains aren't an option then you can get temporary blinds, screens and self-adhesive privacy films for windows. To really get to the bottom of the issue, you could invest in a spy cam to capture evidence of when, where and how these intruders are, well, intruding!
4. Urine Repellent Sprays
Anti-cat pee sprays contain scents that cats are averse to such as citrus and eucalyptus. They work to mask the traces of pheromones in urine, which are the biggest attractant for cats. Eliminating this may also help to reduce other unwanted behaviours such as digging and scratching.
C&G Urine Stop Spray contains citrus and lemongrass, which acts as an anti-microbial agent. These natural ingredients make it both pet and eco-friendly.
For more outdoor cat deterrents, including jet sprays and ultrasonic repellents, check out these top recommended cat deterrents for gardens and yards.
5. Natural Homemade Repellents
For a more natural urine repellent, you can use the same fresh scents that are found in commercial sprays, although their effectiveness is debatable. Scattering fresh lemon or orange peels around your home is believed to repel cats, as well as wet coffee granules and vinegar. These won't eliminate stains or smells left by urine so regular cleaning is essential.
Some plants and herbs, including lavender, rosemary, mint and geraniums are believed to deter cats. You could also try planting prickly or thorned shrubs.
7. Wildlife
Another big attractor is wildlife, so if you have a garden filled with bird feeders then this will surely add to the problem. Food encourages birds, squirrels, mice, rats and other rodents, so your property effectively becomes a hunting ground for cats. Leaving wildlife to go hungry may not seem like a fair or ideal solution, but limiting or sectioning off feeding areas may be less enticing for our feline friends.
6. Keeping Cats Away from the Area
Whether you're tackling strays or your own territorial kitties, we want to keep them away from problem areas for as long as possible until the urine scent has gone and they've (hopefully) forgotten or moved on to other places - preferably away from your house or garden. Try letting cats out for shorter durations or block off areas where there's evidence of spraying or fouling.
Other practical measures you can take involve using gravel or pebbles instead of soil, which will be uncomfortable on a cat's paws so they're less likely to dig; and using a mesh barrier to protect plants and flowerbeds. Install high fences where possible and check for any gaps or holes that could be used as entry/exit points. Don't leave food or water out for cats and shoo them away whenever spotted.
8. Neutering and Spaying
At the risk of causing a war between neighbours as well as rival cats, you could ask fellow owners if their cats are neutered and politely educate them on the benefits. Some people genuinely don't realise how hormones can lead to problem behaviours, especially if they're not witnessing it.
Related post: How to Prepare Cats for a Vet Visit and Reduce Stress
More desexed cats means less strays roaming the streets, which is more of a danger to themselves than anything. Unlike the wilderness - a cat's natural habitat - built-up areas such as towns and cities are not suitable for the domestic cat as there's an inability to really thrive.
Shelters are being overwhelmed with abandoned kittens, and I've heard enough horror stories from staff and volunteers to turn anyone's hair grey. I ask all parents, owners and guardians to act responsibly and not contribute to an already growing problem.
ALL animals deserve to live safe, healthy, happy and comfortable lives. Our cats deserve a place to call home.
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Have you had issues with strays or four-legged invaders? Let us know in the comments if these tips helped!
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