Why Would a Female Cat Start Spraying?
Although unpleasant to humans, spraying is a natural activity for female cats. A female cat sprays by bending her legs slightly and depositing urine on a vertical object. Spraying is usually not a "litter box problem," but medical issues should be ruled out if your female cat is spraying.
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Illness
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Take your cat to the vet if her behavior changes to rule out illness. Cats who have a urinary tract infection (UTI) may associate the litter box with pain and stop using it.
Attracting a Mate
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If your female cat isn't spayed, she will instinctually spray to attract a mate---even if she's an indoor pet and potential mates can't get to her.
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Marking Territory
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Even a spayed cat may start spraying if she feels her territory is threatened. Introducing a new pet or human to the household may inspire your cat to mark her territory.
Stress
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Your cat may spray if she's under stress. Consider whether her routine or her relationship with caregivers has changed since she started spraying: is she getting enough attention, or has she recently been punished?
Solutions
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The steps you take to correct the problem will depend on why your cat is spraying. Whatever the reasons for spraying, always wash the area where she has sprayed using a non-ammonia cleaner that neutralizes the odor, as cats are likely to spray again where they smell their urine.
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