Why Does My Cat Pee on My Bed? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

You have just finished a long day at work and your cozy bed is calling your name. You snuggle up in your sheets but suddenly, a characteristic smell of ammonia invades your nostrils...oh, the horror! Your adorable kitty urinated on your bed! So, you clean it all up while brooding over the same question: why did your cat pee on your bed?

There are several possible reasons for this behavior, ranging from serious medical issues to a simple disdain for the new kind of litter you have just purchased. In any case, know that you can remedy this behavior once you have found the cause.

The 6 Possible Reasons Your Cat Peed on Your Bed

1. Your Cat Has a Medical Condition

The very first thing you should do if your cat suddenly starts urinating on your bed is to get them examined  by your veterinarian in order to rule out an underlying health issue. Bladder or urinary tract inflammation, infection, sediment, bladder stones or other issues can cause pain or increased urgency, resulting in urination outside of the litter box.

Health issues relating to the lower urinary tract (the bladder and urethra) of the cat are often referred to as feline lower urinary tract disorders or FLUTD. However, other health issues affecting different organ systems may also lead to urinary problems in cats

Some of these conditions can cause a cat to urinate outside of the litter box, especially if they associate the litter box with pain, which also often happens in older cats suffering from arthritis and reduced mobility if they struggle to comfortably get into their litter box.

How to Remedy the Behavior

If you suspect your cat is suffering from a health condition or is showing other signs of illness, such as more frequent or painful urination, visiting the litter box often or having urine accidents outside of it, blood in urine, struggling to pee (a veterinary emergency!) or changes in appetite & thirst, please take them to your veterinarian immediately. Untreated medical problems, especially urinary tract blockage in male cats, may be life threatening and should not be taken lightly!

Your veterinarian will be able to establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

2. Your Cat May Be Stressed

If your cat is not physically ill, the problem may be related to stress and changes in their routine or environment. In other words, your cat may start urinating outside their litter box because they may be anxious or stressed.

Many factors can cause anxiety or stress in cats. Whether it is a move, a new pet or person in the house, or a change in diet, cats are very sensitive to these changes and can be upset by them. It is important to note that stress in cats is often very much internalized, so although your cat may appear relaxed and at ease, changes both in and outside the home can be causing invisible stress for your feline.

Another reason could be that you leave your cat alone at home for too long, and they may suffer from separation anxiety.

How to Remedy the Behavior

If your cat is stressed or anxious, you need to find the cause. First, try to observe where your furry friend’s anxiety is coming from. Do they spend too much time alone? Do they have to compete against other cats for resources like food and water, and litter boxes? Is there a new pet or a new person in the house?

Ultimately, your cat needs to feel safe in their environment. Make sure they do not have to compete with a new arrival for resources like food, water, litter box, and your attention. Spend quality time with your kitty, which has a relaxing effect on both of you.

3. Territorial Behavior

As discussed earlier stress and feeling threatened by changes, disturbances, new people or new pets is a common cause of inappropriate urination in cats, and urinating to mark their territory can be considered a somewhat ‘passive aggressive’ way of asserting their claim to a particular territory without having to engage in direct conflict.

When that territorial behavior involves items of a personal nature, like your clothing or your bed, a territorial claim may be being made over you. In the absence of a medical condition, urinating on a human’s bed is often associated with the introduction of a new cat into the equation, either by directly bringing a new cat into the house, the presence of a cat outside, or even coming home reeking of pheromones from associating with non-approved felines. In a way, when your cat pees on your bed, they are paying you a compliment of sorts, just not in the way we would like!

How to Remedy the Behavior

There are a few things you can do to provide reassurance to your cat that they are still number one in your heart, so they don’t need to cover you or your bed in their pungent aroma.

1. Make a point of spending quality time with your cat, even if that is simply sitting with them and being available to them.

2. Use calming scents and synthetic pheromones to provide a soothing, non-partisan olfactory presence in the home.

3. If you have recently brought a new cat into your home, be sure to feed and play with your cat as a top priority so they don’t feel threatened.

4. If you are seeing other cats outside the home, wash your hands and pop your clothes in the wash to avoid spreading unknown feline pheromones around.

5. Wash your bedding in enzyme powered products to completely remove all traces of your cat’s urine to reduce the chances of them ‘re-marking’ the area.

6. Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe your cat’s cheeks and then wipe your furniture and door frames with the cloth. This helps to transfer pheromones from your cat's facial scent glands around your bedroom without them needing to pee on your bed!

4. You Don’t Have Enough Litter Boxes

Even if you only have one cat in your household, they may need more than one litter box. Indeed, some cats that are a little more capricious prefer to urinate and defecate in two separate litter boxes. And if you have several cats, the best is to have one litter box per cat and another extra! Yes, that’s a lot of cleaning, but if it saves you having to wash your bedding every day, it’s worth it.

How to Remedy the Behavior

Buy at least one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. If the thought of having to clean so many litter boxes puts you off, consider buying self-cleaning litter boxes to save yourself some time. There are great options for every budget.

5. Your Litter Box Is Not in an Appropriate Place

Like humans, cats need a quiet, private, easily accessible place to relieve themselves. If the litter box is located in your bathroom, but your noisy washing machine is too, your cat may not find the calm they need to do their business!

How to Remedy the Behavior

Move their litter box to a quieter place, away from the hubbub of the house and, above all, away from their food and water bowls.

6. Your Cat Doesn’t Like the Type of Litter You’re Using

Cats have a preference for litter and may become reluctant to use their litter box in case of a sudden litter change. They may not be a fan of the new brand of litter you just bought because the texture is too rough, dusty or the scent is too intense.

How to Remedy the Behavior

Consider a clumping litter with a fine texture, unscented and dust-free. Make the litter box an inviting place to make your kitty feel like royalty. To do this, you must remove the poop at least once a day and thoroughly clean the litter box by replacing it completely at least once a week. For older cats make sure the litter box is easily accessible with low sides and spacious enough.

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When To Consult a Behavioral Professional

With all these tips, you should be able to get down to the root of the problem of your cat peeing on your bed. Always remain patient and, above all, avoid punishing or yelling at your cat. After your vet has ruled out underlying health issues, focus on managing environmental and litter box factors.

Nevertheless, if the problem persists or becomes recurrent, do not hesitate to call on a certified feline behavior specialist. He or she will be able to quickly pinpoint what is bothering your cat.

Indeed, these professionals have an expert view of the behavior of cats. They will guide you on the things to put in place to solve your feline’s urination problem and encourage them to use their litter box again.

Conclusion

Occasional house soiling in cats is not uncommon and can happen any time there is a major change in their routine or if they develop a health issue. If your cat urinates on your bed, they may be under stress or sick.

But first, you must check with your vet. If your cat has no health problems but still urinates on your bed, then you must identify the causes of their stress and offer appropriate management solutions.

There are various tricks to help your kitty find their way back to the litter. But in any case, do not hesitate to call on a feline behavior expert if you are unable to eliminate the problem by yourself.

Related Reads:

• Cat Peeing on Dog Bed: 5 Potential Reasons & Solutions

• Why Does My Cat Poop on My Bed? 8 Vet-Approved Possible Reasons

Featured Image Credit: cunaplus, Shutterstock