Indoor Spraying and Toileting in Cats
Together we can encourage your cat to toilet or mark in more appropriate areas, whilst addressing your cat’s underlying stress that may be contributing to indoor spraying and toileting.
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As a cat owner, dealing with their indoor toileting or spraying can be difficult, especially when you’ve provided your cat with appropriate places to go to the toilet.
Cats are sensitive beings, who can become easily stressed by changes in their home and/or local neighbourhood environment. Underlying stress, such as anxieties caused by things outside or inside the home, and underlying physological causes often contribute to indoor toileting and spraying.
Here to help
As cat behaviourists, our goal is to help you understand the root causes for indoor toileting and spraying, and guide you on ways to reduce their anxiety. By examining your cat’s environment, daily routines, and interactions, we can identify potential triggers and devise a personalised plan to address them.
Whether it’s through removing sources of worry, having further investigations with your vet, modifying the type and number of latrines, and addressing their needs, we’ll work together to address the underlying causes of the behaviour, and reduce your cat feeling a need to toilet or spray in the house.
Remember, overcoming indoor toileting and spraying issues takes time and patience. But with consistent effort, professional guidance, and a lot of love, we can help your cat feel more secure and confident. Together, we can work towards a happier, more peaceful life for your precious companion.
Meet Your Cat Behaviourists
Zoe Demery
Zoe has a doctorate in animal cognition and behaviour, and she is one of the few independently accredited clinical cat behaviourists in the UK (CCAB). She is also a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society, registered with ABTC, and certified by IAABC as a cat behaviour consultant. Zoe is a proud committee member of FAB Clinicians and chairs the feline subcommittee.
Since starting practice in 2012, she has helped dozens of cats and their caregivers around the world better understand each other. Zoe also mentors budding cat behaviourists.
Victoria Stockley
Victoria worked as a veterinary nurse for several years before specialising in feline behaviour. She has a BSc (Hons) and an MSc (merit) in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln. Victoria is a Candidate Member of FAB Clinicians and Provisional Member of APBC.
Victoria’s particular interest in cat behaviour began when, at age 11, she adopted her first (feral) kitten (with adult help!). It was obvious from the start that Magic was a different cat, and she taught Victoria how much patience and understanding cats need. Victoria is currently the loyal servant to a cat named Twinkle, an incredibly personable cat with special medical needs.
“Our cat was toileting behind the sofa, avoiding his litter tray by the French doors. After consulting with the SNB feline team, we realised it was due to a neighbour’s tomcat in our garden. We moved the tray to a safer spot, and the change was immediate. Our home is peaceful again, and our cat feels secure. Highly recommend this service!”
Comprehensive support
- We visit you at your home in person or online, for an initial assessment generally lasting 2 hours and ideally, everyone in the household should be present.
- We take a full and detailed case history. Together we work out a treatment plan that is realistic and tailored to you and your cat’s needs.
- You receive relevant information sheets, which tie in with the behaviour plan for your cat.
- Soon after the consultation, a report is sent to you, which is later copied to your vet. This outlines the reasons behind the problem and highlights the key steps of the plan.
- Your vet is kept informed of how your cat progresses.
- Plans are updated with new material for you to work on.
- We schedule one 1-hour follow-up session about a month later, which is conducted via an online video link.
- We are available for optional weekly check-ins for 6 weeks after your initial consultation. Each week you can book a 15-minute call through our online calendar, or send us an email or WhatsApp message.
- If during the development of the case, the additional expertise of a veterinary behaviourist is required, then I integrate their advice into the plan. I work closely with select, independently accredited cat vet behaviourists, who will review and discuss your cat’s case with your vet.
- More follow-up support available as needed.
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Sam’s story
Sam, a domestic shorthair, began spraying indoors in response to seeing neighbourhood cats outside. To address this, we focused on making Sam feel more secure in his own space. Lisa, his owner, blocked Sam’s view of the outdoor cats with frosted window film, reducing his direct visual stressors. We introduced pheromone diffusers to create a calming environment and engaged Sam in regular play to bolster his confidence. These steps, combined with consistent routines, significantly reduced Sam’s need to mark his territory indoors, demonstrating how enhancing a cat’s sense of security in their own space can effectively resolve stress-induced spraying behaviours.
Next steps
1. Vet referral
Feline behaviour problems are often caused by underlying physiological issues, so we need to address these first
3. History form
Give us some background about your cat and your relationship
4. Consultation
Let’s get started on the plan to dealing with your cat’s behaviour
Recommended
by vets
you may be able to
claim on insurance
“As a vet, I have referred many of my patients to Zoe – she works absolute miracles on cats!”
Book a cat behaviour consult
get expert help from one of our feline behaviourists
FAQ
Have a more general question? Check out our general FAQ.
Prefer to chat things through a bit more?
Contact Us!
Give us a buzz by email or phone
(+44) (0) 121 299 0188.
Is it okay to bring our cat to one of your behaviour clinics?
How should I go about arranging a vet referral for my cat?
Remember that vet visits are stressful for cats; so do chat through the different options with your vet first. For example, if you are having problems between cats in the household, taking one cat out can make things worse. One way to make the experience less stressful is to leave your cat transport box out for several days, then feed your cat(s) inside it.
If you are looking to helping your cat to use appropriate latrines, contact us to get started.
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