Urine Marking in Cats

Urine marking is a form of communication that cats use to deposit small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces, typically as a signal to other cats rather than to empty the bladder. It differs from ordinary urination in location, posture, and purpose — marked urine is often found on walls, furniture, or doorways, and is delivered standing with a quivering tail. Owners commonly notice small wet patches at nose height, a strong smell, or repeated soiling in the same spots, and may initially wonder whether their cat has a bladder problem or is simply avoiding the litter tray. Marking can occur in response to stress, changes in the household, the presence of other cats, or reproductive behaviour in unneutered animals, though the pattern and trigger vary between individuals. It may appear suddenly or develop gradually, and can persist even when the original trigger has passed. This page explores the signals that may suggest marking rather than other causes of inappropriate urination, what is happening in the cat's social and emotional world, how the behaviour is investigated, and the range of approaches that exist to address it.