31/07/2026
One of the things I’m passionate about is the language we use when talking about cats.
Take the term “inappropriate urination.”
I’ve never really liked it.
It implies the cat is being “inappropriate” or doing something wrong.
But from the cat’s perspective, they’re simply responding to something in their environment or communicating that they need help.
That’s why I encourage people to shift their thinking.
Instead of asking:
“Why is my cat being naughty?”
Ask:
“What is my cat trying to tell me?”
It’s also important to understand that spraying and urinating outside the litter tray are not the same behaviour.
Spraying is primarily a form of communication. Cats usually stand, lift their tail, and spray a small amount of urine onto a vertical surface. It’s commonly associated with territory, social communication, or feeling insecure.
Urinating outside the litter tray is a toileting behaviour. The cat squats and empties their bladder onto a horizontal surface. This can be associated with medical conditions, litter tray preferences, pain, stress, anxiety, or environmental changes.
Understanding the difference is the first step towards finding the right solution.
