Neutering will change the odor, and may reduce the cat’s motivation for spraying, but approximately 10% of neutered males and 5% of spayed females will continue urine spraying and marking. While cats in multiple cat households are often involved in spraying behaviors, cats that are housed singly may spray as well.

“Cats are control freaks. They like to feel in charge,” she notes. That is why stress and anxiety, which bring on insecurity, fear, and timidity, can cause your cat to spray, the doctors say.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, 5% of female cats will continue to spray even after they have been spayed.

There are also certain characteristics of a cat or a household that can contribute to urine marking: The cat is an unneutered male. Although female cats as well as neutered and spayed cats can urine mark, unneutered males have more reason to do so.

Cat urine contains uric acid, which can last in carpets, fabrics and wood for years! Although baking soda, vinegar, soap, and hydrogen peroxide may neutralize the odors temporarily, a humid day can cause the uric acid to recrystallize, and the infamous “cat odor” will return.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.

Try a quick spritz at your cat if they are somewhere or doing something they shouldn’t be. It’s likely that after a few times, just reaching for the spray bottle deters the bad behavior. Use double-sided tape or aluminum foil: These simple things can be placed on surfaces you don’t want your cat on or scratching.

Correcting Unwanted Cat Behavior

1. Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits.
2. Smell: Citronella, perfumes, solid air fresheners, citrus, aloe, eucalyptus oil and oil of wintergreen are all aversive smells to cats.

Like dogs, cats also have an uncanny ability to detect ailments and diseases as well. Cats also have an acute sense of smell and have the ability to sniff out a chemical change in the body caused by a disease. And both dogs and cats can also sense the change in mood, behavior and pattern that affect a daily routine.

The Do’s of How to Discipline a Cat Do reinforce good behaviors: Cats don’t learn from punishment, but by praising them and sharing healthy treats you can teach them to recognize when they’re doing something right.