What Age Do Cats Start Spraying? What To Do About It

By nature, cats are typically very clean animals when it comes to their toileting habits, so if a cat starts to spray on walls, furniture or doors, pet parents can be left feeling concerned.

In many cases, spraying behaviours are a natural form of scent communication where cats may be marking their territory, responding to stress, or signalling to the opposite sex that they're “available”.

Many pet parents are understandably worried when spraying first occurs. This is particularly true when they are unsure whether the new behaviour is linked to normal development, stress, or a possible medical issue.

In this guide, we’ll look at what age cats start spraying, what causes cats to spray, how to tell the difference between behavioural and medical concerns, and the practical steps you can take to prevent cat spraying.

What Causes Cats to Spray?

There are several reasons for cat spraying behaviour, with our feline friends using it as a way of communicating with other cats and responding to changes in their environment. While spraying is often associated with territory marking, it can also be linked to stress, or changes in routine.

Common reasons cats spray include:

• Marking territory around the home or garden

• Reacting to stress or environmental changes

• Feeling threatened by other cats nearby

• Sexual maturity and mating-related behaviour

• Conflict in multi-cat households 

Unlike normal urination, spraying usually happens on vertical surfaces such as sofas, doors, curtains, or windows. Cats will often spray standing up with a raised backside and upright quivering tail, releasing a small amount of urine backwards onto the surface.

If you’d like to learn more about the reasons behind cat spraying behaviour, check out our helpful guide.

What Age Do Cats Start Spraying?

Cats typically start spraying for territory marking as they reach sexual maturity. The exact timing, however, can vary from cat to cat, but this stage often marks the shift from kitten behaviour to unneutered adult cat territorial and social behaviours driven by hormones.

What Age Do Male Cats Start Spraying?

Unneutered male cats often begin spraying earlier than females. This is usually linked to rising testosterone levels, which increase territorial and mating-related behaviours. In many cases, male cats may start spraying from around 4 months of age.

What Age Do Female Cats Start Spraying?

Female cats can also begin spraying once they reach sexual maturity, which can be as early as 4 months of age. In females, spraying is more commonly associated with stress or environmental changes, but can also be a result of their hormonal cycles in unneutered females as a way to communicate to potential mates.

How To Stop A Cat Spraying

If your cat has already developed a spraying habit, it might also be a sign that they're feeling uncomfortable or stressed, or that they're finding it difficult to adapt to any changes that may be occurring.

There are several practical steps you can take to reduce or stop the behaviour. The key is to act early, stay consistent, and address both environmental and emotional triggers.

You can reduce or prevent spraying by combining behaviour management, environmental changes, and veterinary advice:

• Neutering or spaying early – Ideally this is done before sexual maturity to reduce hormone driven spraying.

• Reducing stress – You can do this by helping a cat feel more secure in their home with consistent routines and gradual changes where possible. 

• Improving litter box management – Ensuring that your cat’s litter trays are clean, and in quiet, accessible spaces, with multiple trays in multi-cat homes (plus one more than the number of cats living in the household to avoid conflict).

• Cleaning sprayed areas – Blot dry any excess first before thoroughly cleaning with soap and warm water and then using enzymatic odour removers to remove scent triggers.

• Consulting your vet – Always consult your vet if you’re concerned about any changes in your cat’s behaviour to rule out potential medical issues and to get their advice.

For more detailed guidance, see our full guide on how to stop cat spraying.

Creating A Calm Environment For Your Cat

Helping your cat feel secure and relaxed in their home is key to preventing spraying. Cats are highly sensitive to change, so consistency, routine, and safe spaces all play an important role in reducing stress-related behaviours.

You can also support your cat’s sense of calm with pheromone-based support such as FELIWAY Optimum. FELIWAY Optimum Diffuser work to improve your cat's well-being by releasing calming pheromones that help create a reassuring home environment. This use of a cat’s natural communication system can support relaxation and help reduce stress-related spraying. For best results, place it in the area where your cat spends most of their time, such as their favourite resting spot. 

Signs Your Cat Feels Safe and Secure

When your cat feels comfortable and settled, you may notice positive changes in their behaviour including:

• Rubbing their cheeks or body against you, furniture, or doorframes

• Relaxed resting positions in open areas

• Increased curiosity and playfulness

• Reduced tension around other pets or environmental changes

• Reduced stress-related spraying 

• Reduced scratching furniture 

• Reduced hiding in the home

Wondering how happy your cat is? Take our quick quiz to discover your cat’s score and receive personalised advice on how you can make them even happier!

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