In the world of cats, territorial declaration is an indispensable part of daily life. Among them, spraying urine outside the litter box is one of the most common methods. Unlike cats that randomly excrete in other areas, they choose to spray urine on vertical surfaces such as walls, door frames, etc., in order to declare territorial sovereignty. However, it is worth noting that not all cats urinating outside the litter box are urinating. Some cats may feel uncomfortable excreting in the litter box due to lower urinary tract diseases (such as urinary crystals, infections, etc.), so they choose other areas.
When it comes to ejaculation behavior, although it may also occur in female cats and sterilized male cats, it is most common in unsterilized male cats. They communicate the search for a partner to other cats by spraying urine, which is an instinctive behavior. Therefore, if your male cat frequently messes up your home, it's worth considering taking it to the veterinarian for consultation on sterilization matters. Sterilization not only prevents male cats from urinating randomly, but also avoids other unwelcome and sometimes aggressive behaviors.
However, for male cats that have already been sterilized or female cats that are peeing, the problem may be more complex. This usually means that cats feel territorial insecurity or pressure. Possible reasons include the addition of cats, dogs, babies, or other animals to the home, the threat of wild cats near neighbors to the cat's territory, changes in the home environment (such as moving or changing odors), insufficient cleanliness of the litter box, or another cat occupying the litter box, and even the possibility that the cat is sick, believing that being surrounded by its own odor will make it feel more comfortable.
In addition to urine, cats also use feces to mark their territory. A customer recently shared an interesting observation with us: when her cat notices someone (whether a person or another cat) approaching the litter box, it leaves a "territory sign" outside the litter box. This behavior, jokingly known as "digging feces," is actually a way for cats to mark territorial boundaries.
In addition, cats sometimes dig holes in the litter box after convenience. This is not just for burying feces, but also for occupying and consolidating one's own territory. By digging holes, cats can leave their own scent and markings, letting other cats know that this is their territory.
Overall, cats exhibit a variety of territorial declaration behaviors, from spraying urine to digging feces, all of which are their ways of expressing sovereignty and security. As owners of cats, we need to carefully observe and understand the reasons behind these behaviors, providing them with a safe and comfortable living environment.
