The reasons for such behavior are usually far more complex than most owners realize. Fortunately, many of these problems can be corrected, but the solutions usually require patience and know how. Cats squat to perform their normal elimination duties, but to spray, they stand up, hold their quivering tails in the air, and release a horizontal spray of urine on a vertical surface, such as a wall or chair. If an owner finds urine outside the litter box but has never seen the cat in the act, he or she must first determine which type of behavior the cat is exhibiting. Depending on the circumstances, the remedies vary for each type.
Male cats are far more likely to spray than females, but either sex can develop the habit.
If a female sprays year-round, the problem may be more difficult to correct. If a spayed or neutered cat persists in spraying, the owner must try to determine why. Some experts suggest that spraying behavior is linked to the number of cats in a household. The more cats, the more likely spraying behavior will be a problem. Sometimes, when a new cat is introduced to the household, the veteran resident begins spraying.