Territorial marking in cats — including urine spraying and scratching — is often a welfare signal indicating stress or resource competition.
Territorial marking behaviours are frequently mischaracterised as misbehaviour requiring punishment, when they are actually welfare signals indicating that a cat is experiencing insecurity or stress in its environment. Punishing marking suppresses the symptom without addressing the cause, and adds further stress that typically worsens the underlying problem. Addressing territorial marking requires identifying the stressor: a new cat introduced to the household, an outside cat visible through windows, changes in the home environment, or inadequate resources like litter trays and feeding stations. Providing appropriate scratching posts at strategic locations reduces surface damage while meeting the cat legitimate behavioural need. Synthetic feline facial pheromone products can reduce anxiety-driven marking when combined with environmental management.