Cats may start peeing on the bed or other furniture in the house for several reasons, such as stress or anxiety, health problems, or not being adequately trained to use the litter box. This can be frustrating and unpleasant for the owner, and it could also cause damage to things in the house.
Identifying the cause of the behavior and taking steps to address and solve the problem to prevent it from happening again is essential.
By working with a veterinarian or a behaviorist and following a consistent routine, you can help your cat learn appropriate elimination behaviors and keep your bed and other household objects free of urine.
Why would a cat suddenly pee on your bed?
#1 – Bad Litterbox Location
The litterbox may be in the wrong location at your house. Your cat’s litterbox may be located in a noisy or busy place. It may be next to something that makes much noise, like a dryer. Or perhaps it’s close to something that randomly switches on and off, like a heater.
It’s possible that the litter box used to be in a very convenient spot. However, as time has passed, it has been less convenient. In some cases, the litter box might be located in the basement, but most of the cat’s time is probably spent on the house’s second floor. Cats can see well at night but need a little light to see clearly.
Cats will be less likely to use the litter box if it is located in a dark area with no light source, especially in a household with multiple cats.
There may also be logistical problems with the litterbox site in question. It’s possible that your dog has a favorite location to lay down, and because your cat has to walk through it on its route to the litter box, it gets pursued a lot.
Some litterboxes are hidden away in a closet, where there are no exits or ways to get out of the way if another cat walks in.
#2 – More Litterboxes Needed
It’s a good idea to follow the general guideline of having one litter box for every cat in the house, plus one extra.
This is probably different from the news you were hoping to hear. To clean up even more kitty litter, hooray! But I suppose that’s preferable to constantly washing your sheets, right?
Kittens, in particular, can benefit from having access to more than one litter box. Just like children, kittens do not have complete control over their elimination, so they need many litter boxes that are not difficult to access. This will help prevent any accidents.
You should never scold or chastise a kitten or cat, especially when she is in or near her litter box. This is especially important to remember when she is using the litter box. Because of this, she will begin to associate bad feelings with the box, and as a result, she will avoid it.
Never use the litter box to capture a cat to give her medication, clip her nails, or get her into a carrier for the same reason.
#3 – It’s the Wrong Kind of Litterbox
Your cat may have an aversion to the kind of litter box you use. It may have a cover that seals in odors or restricts its movement.
This would make it impossible to find a comfortable position to pee without rubbing part of its body against the inside of the cover. This would make the whole thing pretty bad, so your cat would probably go to your bed instead.
Or it could be a combination of a medical condition and an improperly fitting litter box for the cat. If your cat suffers from arthritis, the edges of the litter box may be too high, making it difficult for your cat to enter and exit the container.
#4 – Problem with a Cat Litter
You most likely have a favorite type or brand of cat litter and dismiss other options. Some cats behave similarly, particularly if your pet believes the cat litter isn’t fluffy enough.
If the cat’s claws have been removed, it could be difficult for her to step into and dig in cat litter; thus, she will look for a substrate that is softer than cat litter.
Make an effort to do a test using cat litter. Place one litter box filled with a soft variety, such as Brand A, and another with a more coarse variety, such as Brand B, adjacent to each other.
Your new cat litter will most likely be the one for which your cat shows a definite preference. Then you can ensure that your cat is content by providing it with its own litter boxes.
Just make sure that the kitty litter can absorb liquid effectively. Cats are hard-wired to bury their pee and feces because they don’t want a potential predator to be able to track them down using their scent. This is why cats have the habit of doing so.
#5 – Big Changes in the Routine
Have you recently become a parent? Maybe a new puppy or a new cat?
You may have just started a new job that requires you to be out of the house a lot more often or at different times than you were before.
The ideal cat environment is orderly, consistent, and easy to manage. Changes in a cat’s household, even those that appear trivial and insignificant to us, can cause the cat to foul the furniture in the house.
Cats like to stick to their routines, so if something changes quickly, it could cause them to go to the bathroom in the wrong place, like if your cat goes to the bathroom somewhere other than his litter box.
Your cat may need time to readjust to the new environment, especially if you’ve just relocated. The same is true if you just got a new family member, like a baby, dog, or cat, or if you changed your routine a lot.
To feel comfortable and secure, cats want a well-structured, predictable environment.
#6 – Medical or Health Issues
You should check with your veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions if your cat is suddenly urinating on your bed.
Such conditions that may cause this behavior are diabetes, kidney disease, or a urinary tract infection.
Contact your vet immediately if your cat is straining to urinate, acting sick or hurting when urinating, or posturing to urinate without passing urine. This could be an emergency urinary obstruction.
If your cat has no medical issues, you can explore other potential causes for the behavior.
#7 – Poor Litter Box Training
One possible reason that a cat may start peeing on the bed or other household objects is a lack of proper litter box training.
Cats are naturally clean animals and typically use a designated area, such as a litter box, to eliminate waste.
However, the cat may start eliminating waste in other areas of the house if the cat needs to be adequately trained to use the litter box. This is the same if the litter box needs to be kept clean. They will pee everywhere, including on the bed or other household objects.
To prevent this behavior and solve the problem, it’s essential to properly train your cat to use the litter box and to ensure that it is kept clean regularly.
#8 – Stress and Anxiety for Cats
It’s common for cats to urinate as a means of relieving pressure and anxiety when they’re feeling overwhelmed and agitated. It’s possible that your cat is feeling anxious or stressed about several things, which is what’s causing them to urinate outside of the litter box.
Cats who are anxious or stressed out could also urinate in other places besides their litter box. Some of these factors can affect some cats; in particular, their separation anxiety prompts them to seek comfort when their owners are away.
Cats would soil themselves on their owner’s beds to let the other cats in the household know. Because cats are resistant to new experiences, you should investigate whether recent alterations in your home could be the source of your cat’s anxiety.
#9 – Being Jealous
Your cat may develop feelings of jealousy. They may even feel threatened if you bring a new cat, dog, or newborn into the house. They will want to leave their scent all over the place and may decide that your bed is the best place to do so.
A cat may urinate on the bedding, clothing, or other things of his preferred human out of jealousy if other cats or people are introduced into the household. The introduction of new individuals can also cause jealousy.
This is a way for cats to mark their territory and assert ownership over what they consider theirs. I believe that a certain degree of “revenge” is involved when a cat urinates on the bed.
This is why only their unique human bed and things get targeted, even though some behaviorists may not agree with this statement.
#10 – They Are Not Spayed or Neutered
Cats who have not been spayed or neutered may be more likely to engage in marking behaviors, such as spraying or peeing on furniture, walls, and carpets. They do this to communicate their territory to other cats.
This is because unaltered cats, especially males, have a stronger instinct to mark their territory and leave their scent on surfaces. In contrast, spayed or neutered cats are less likely to engage in these behaviors.
If your cat is spraying or peeing on your furniture or other household objects, one solution to the problem may be to have your cat spayed or neutered.
Typically performed by a veterinarian, this simple procedure can help reduce or eliminate marking behaviors and prevent your cat from spraying or peeing on your furniture or other household items.
What to do when the cat is peeing on the bed?
If you find your cat peeing in your bed, here’s what you do:
- Clean up the mess. Use a pet-safe cleaning product to clean the area where your cat peed thoroughly. Be sure to remove any odors, as cats have a strong sense of smell and may be attracted to the same spot again if it still smells like urine.
- Prevent access to the bed. Until the problem is resolved, you may need to block your cat’s access to the bed or other areas where it has been peeing. This could involve closing doors or using barriers or gates to block off the site.
- Use positive reinforcement. When you catch your cat using the litter box or exhibiting good behavior, reward it with treats, praise, or attention. This can help to reinforce desirable behaviors and discourage inappropriate ones.
- Follow a consistent routine. Establish a uniform way of feeding, playing, and using the litter box. This can help reduce your cat’s stress and anxiety and prevent inappropriate elimination.
How do I get my cat to stop peeing on my bed?
Once you’ve determined the reason why your cat is peeing in your bed despite proper training, you can follow these steps to prevent them from doing it again:
- Make the litter box the most attractive place for your cat to eliminate waste. Use fine-grained, odorless, clumping litter, and avoid plastic litter box liners.
- Thoroughly clean the areas where your cat has previously urinated. Remove all odors, as cats are attracted to the same spot if it still smells like urine.
- Make the previously soiled areas less appealing to your cat, such as by covering the mattress with a shower curtain.
- Associate the previously soiled areas with positive experiences, such as by giving treats or playing with your cat on the bed or sofa.
- Be patient, as it may take time for your cat to learn new behaviors.
Final Thoughts
Working with your veterinarian to identify and address potential medical issues is essential. If your cat is avoiding the litter box and eliminating waste elsewhere. Certain medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections or bladder problems, can cause a cat to experience pain or discomfort when using the litter box. There could also be other reasons that are more connected to anxiety and your cat’s personal preferences.
It’s important to avoid punishing your cat. Punishment can instill fear and anxiety in your cat and worsen the problem. Instead, focus on providing positive reinforcement for good behavior and following a consistent routine for feeding, playing, and using the litter box.
You may want to consider hiring a professional cat behavior consultant for additional support if the problem persists after a month of attempting to retrain your cat.
Further Reading
