Scent marking is a natural behaviour that animals use to communicate and could occur at any time and in any place. While scent marking may be frustrating, it’s instinctive and serves important purposes for the animal, from territory marking to social signalling.
To learn how to manage scent marking, it’s helpful to understand the potential reasons behind it. Once you know what to look for, there are various techniques that you can use to prevent your pet from excessively marking their scent around your home.
What is Scent Marking?
Scent marking is a natural behaviour in both dogs and cats, along with various other animals, from badgers to even leopards. It’s used to communicate various things to other animals, such as territory, reproductive readiness and social status.
Your cat or dog may scent mark places or items with small amounts of urine or (less commonly) faeces. Cats and some dogs also use scent glands in their cheeks, paws, and tails to mark objects, people, or even other animals.
Although humans don’t have the same pheromone detection system as animals, we can still smell and react to scents, including those associated with scent marking – it’s often not always pleasant!
Why Do Dogs & Cats Scent Mark?
Animals use scent marking to mainly mark their territory and communicate their social status or even their emotional state to other animals. Your cat or dog will likely scent mark around your home to help them feel safe, especially if they feel anxious or stressed. You may also notice that your cat or dog regularly rubs their cheek against you, which (along with showing affection) is their way of ‘claiming’ you as part of their territory.
Cats and dogs, particularly unneutered males, may scent mark to attract mates or communicate with rival males to warn them off. Dogs often mark areas on walks, in the garden, or even inside the home if they feel their territory is threatened, while cats tend to spray urine on vertical surfaces to reinforce their ownership, especially if there are multiple pets in your household.
As per Woodgreen Pets Charity, some cats mess on items (such as bedding) that smell strongly of their owner so they feel closer to them. This may indicate your cat has separation issues, which needs to be addressed to minimise the scent marking.
Medical Causes of Excessive Marking
While scent marking is a normal behaviour, sudden or excessive marking may be a sign of an underlying medical issue. A UTI or bladder and kidney stones can cause discomfort and increased urgency, which can lead to frequent urination or what appears to be excessive marking. Hormonal issues can also lead to excessive thirst and urination.
If your pet is marking more frequently than usual, it’s a good idea to organise a trip to the vet to rule out any medical concerns. Having reliable pet insurance from Petgevity can help cover unexpected vet bills in an emergency and make sure your pet gets the care they need without putting stress on your finances. The last thing you want is to have to worry about the costs of treatment, so having this peace of mind will help you focus back on what’s best for your pet and their recovery.
Common Signs of Scent Marking
Scent marking can sometimes be mistaken for regular urination, but there are a few key differences that set them apart. Unlike full urination, scent marking typically involves small, frequent urine deposits rather than a full bladder release. Your pet may mark multiple spots in a short period, whether it’s around the garden, on a walk or around your home.
You may notice that your cat or dog typically aims for walls, furniture, doors, or even personal belongings rather than the floor or litter box as this helps spread their scent more effectively.
How to Prevent & Manage Scent Marking
While scent marking is natural for your pet, it can be frustrating if your cat or dog is frequently marking your home, particularly if it keeps happening on sofas, armchairs and the carpet. Fortunately, there are several effective ways you can prevent and manage scent marking, while also understanding the cause of the behaviour.
Unneutered pets are more prone to marking their territory, so you might want to consider spaying or neutering your cat or dog. This will reduce their hormonal urges and can significantly decrease marking behaviour.
If you suspect your pet is stressed or anxious, creating a relaxed environment can help limit scent marking. Give your pet a quiet, comfortable area where they can retreat to when they’re feeling anxious. This space should be free from distractions and have familiar bedding, toys, or even clothing that carries your scent. You should also stick to a routine for feeding, playtime, and exercise as this will help build trust and reduce their uncertainty.
Training your pet to redirect their behaviour can be a helpful way to manage marking. Try to reward your pet when they urinate in the appropriate places, like the litter box or outside. This might be with a favourite treat or by stroking them after they’ve finished. You should also redirect your pet when they attempt to mark anywhere other than their litter tray or outside by distracting them with a toy or engaging in another activity.
If your pet has marked a specific spot, it’s important to clean it thoroughly to remove the scent completely. Try to avoid ammonia-based cleaners, as they can smell like urine to your pet and encourage them to mark in the same place.
Encouraging Healthy Behaviour
While scent marking is natural for both cats and dogs, it can pose a challenge if the behaviour becomes excessive or inappropriate. Understanding the underlying causes of marking, whether they are territorial, hormonal, anxiety-related, or medical, can help you manage and limit the behaviour.
Using positive reinforcement and training, as well as making changes to your pet’s environment, can encourage your pet to adopt healthier habits and reduce unwanted marking. Just remember that patience and consistency are key to helping your pet adjust to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
