Yes, female cats do spray, though it is less common than in male cats. Female cats spray for several reasons, including territorial marking, stress, anxiety, and mating behavior if they are not spayed. Spraying is a small amount of urine released on vertical surfaces like walls or furniture to communicate messages to other cats, mark territory, or signal readiness to mate during heat cycles. Even spayed females may spray, often due to stress or to assert territory.
Reasons Female Cats Spray
- Territorial marking: Female cats use spraying to mark boundaries and communicate with other cats, especially if there are changes in their environment or if other cats are nearby.
- Stress and anxiety: Changes such as moving, remodeling, new pets, or altered routines can cause female cats to spray as a reaction to stress.
- Mating behavior: Unspayed female cats spray to attract male cats by releasing pheromones in their urine during heat.
- Communication and resource guarding: Female cats may spray to warn other cats or show ownership of household resources like litter boxes or favorite spots.
Behavior Characteristics
- Spraying is different from normal urination; it involves a small amount of urine on vertical surfaces and is a deliberate scent-marking behavior.
- Female cats may spray on walls, doors, furniture, or near their sleeping areas.
- Even after spaying, some females may continue to spray due to behavioral or environmental triggers.
Managing spraying involves addressing stressors, environmental stability, and spaying or neutering pets when possible to reduce mating-related spraying.
