Research overview: urine spraying and territorial chemical signals

Spraying urine against vertical surfaces is a distinct marking behaviour, separate from elimination, used by cats of both sexes to deposit long-lasting chemical signals. This overview surveys research on the composition and function of sprayed urine, including the role of sulphur-containing compounds derived from the amino acid felinine, the influence of sex and reproductive status, and how investigators and recipients respond to fresh versus aged marks. It discusses spraying as a means of advertising presence, reproductive condition, and tenure without direct confrontation. The topic underlies both the ecology of felid territoriality and the management of one of the most common feline behaviour problems in homes.