House soiling is the most common behavioral complaint owners have about their cats. Ten percent of all pet cats may have an inappropriate elimination behavior problem at some time. It is important to differentiate between the two, since they have different root causes and treatments.
Cats spray to mark territory.
They usually use a distinct posture. Your cat will then walk directly away from the area, without sniffing or digging. It will typically mark in many different areas of the house, especially near doors, windows, on beds, and on new furniture. If your cat sprays a horizontal surface, it can be differentiated from urination in that it typically leaves a long, thin wet area, rather than a puddle. Cats look very different when they are urinating merely for elimination.