My female cat appears to be attempting to spray and I am worried - any advice would be appreciated

I noticed a behavior in my cat that has me concerned.   I keep the doors to my spare bedrooms closed to keep her out.   Being off limits and something she rarely is allowed into, it really makes her want to go in there.   She will flop down against a door, crying, hoping it will open or I will let her in--funny to watch.   Today I let her in just to give her some satisfaction.   The first thing she does is to rub up against the bed and other things to put her scent.   However, today is the first time I saw her “attempt” to do what looks like spraying.   You know the signs, butt toward the object and quivering tail.   She did this several times.   I quickly felt the bedspread and could not detect any wetness or urine.   When she did it again, I put my hand in the way and, fortunately again, felt no dampness.

Here is some history on her.   She is now three years old and an only pet.  Being retired, we are around most of the time.  She was spayed as a kitten and is excellent at using her litter box.   She is a healthy, lean and active 8 pound cat.   Last summer she started “the rubbing” on everything she passes by to scent it.   A maturing thing I suppose.  It can take her a while to get out of our bedroom in the morning because of how many times she has to rub the door frame.   I have heard that females can spray.   I have also heard that it is more of a symbolic act that is not really producing any urine.   I certainly hope this will not become a problem with her achieving actual results.  

Can anyone enlighten me on this issue?   Thanks.

I've heard of "symbolic marking", but some cats simply do that when they're excited or happy. We have an 11-year-old female at the shelter who always does it when you bring in her meals or go into her room to pet or play with her. It looks like marking, but definitely isn't. A few of the other cats, younger and both males and females, do it when they greet you.

I have an 8 year old MALE (neutered) cat that has always done that same thing and (so far, hold my breathe and knock on wood) has NEVER sprayed.....just backs up to a chair or sometimes just in the middle of the room, and quivers that tail to beat the band! When he first started doing it, I was terrified he was spraying! In the beginning he did it when he wanted his ping pong ball (favorite toy) off the bookcase....now, he just does it as a greeting and when he wants his food or a toy.....now it's sort of cute, but I still worry that someday he will really spray by accident and realize he "can" do it and will keep it up! I also have an outside former-feral female that does spray! First time I've ever seen or heard of a female spraying, but when she walks with us every afternoon when we walk the dog, she will back up to a bush, tree, garbage can, whatever...and let go with a long, powerful stream! I've also seen her "go" normally......

I, too, have had several cats that do the 'pretend' spray and have never actually sprayed. It is unnerving however and we always try to distract them. I do have a neutered male right now that marks all his territory outside by spraying, thank goodness just outside right now!

Thanks for the replies, you have made me feel much better.  I sure did not want to have a "real" spraying problem start in my house.  I guess because she is hardly ever those spare bedrooms, she feels she must go over board with attempting to get her scent on things.