It’s incredibly frustrating to discover your cat has urinated on your bed. Beyond the immediate chore of extra laundry, you’re likely worried and wondering why this happened and how to prevent it from recurring. You might even be tempted to think your cat is acting out of anger or spite.
Fortunately, cats don’t resort to urinating outside their litter box—especially not on your bed—as a form of punishment or revenge. Instead, when a cat starts peeing on the bed instead of their designated litter box, it’s usually a sign of an underlying medical condition or emotional distress like stress and anxiety.
The good news is that both medical and behavioral issues can be addressed. With the right approach, often involving your veterinarian and a dose of patience, you can resolve this problem and restore harmony in your home.
Common Reasons for Cats Peeing on Beds
Let’s explore the common reasons why your feline friend might be choosing your bed as a toilet, rather than their litter box.
1. Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety in cats are significant triggers for inappropriate urination, and beds are a frequent target. Cats are creatures of habit and can be easily stressed by changes in their environment or routine. Common stressors for cats include:
- Moving to a new house: A new environment is full of unfamiliar scents and layouts, which can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing for cats.
- Introduction of a new family member (human or animal): Changes in the household dynamics, whether it’s a new baby, a new partner, or a new pet, can disrupt a cat’s established territory and cause stress.
- Home renovations or construction: The noise, disruption, and unfamiliar people coming and going during home improvements can be highly stressful for cats.
- Changes in routine: Even seemingly minor changes like a shift in your work schedule, feeding times, or the absence of a familiar person can trigger anxiety in sensitive cats.
When stressed, cats may seek comfort through scent marking. Urinating on soft surfaces like beds might be a way for them to deposit their pheromones in a place where they spend time and seek security. The scent acts as a self-soothing mechanism in a stressful situation.
An anxious-looking cat sitting on a bed, representing stress as a cause for inappropriate urination.
2. Urinary Stones and Crystals
Urinary stones and crystals can be a painful medical reason for a cat to pee on the bed. These mineral formations in the urinary tract cause irritation and inflammation of the bladder lining. This irritation leads to a frequent and urgent need to urinate.
The discomfort and urgency associated with urinary stones and crystals can prevent a cat from reaching the litter box in time. Furthermore, they may associate the pain and discomfort with the litter box itself, leading them to avoid it in favor of softer, more comfortable locations like your bed. The bed becomes a more appealing option because it’s perceived as a less painful place to relieve themselves.
3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Similar to urinary stones, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can also irritate the bladder lining. This irritation results in frequent urges to urinate and pain during urination.
The discomfort of a UTI can cause a cat to seek out alternative surfaces to urinate on. The soft texture of a bed may seem more comfortable than the litter in the box, especially if they’ve begun to associate the litter box with the pain they experience when urinating due to the infection. The bed becomes a place of perceived relief from the discomfort linked to the litter box.
4. Bladder Tumors
Although less common, bladder cancer in cats is a serious medical condition that can manifest as inappropriate urination. Bladder tumors, even if benign, can cause inflammation and irritation within the bladder.
The inflammation from a bladder tumor can lead to frequent and urgent urination. Cats might choose the bed due to its convenience and softness, especially if the condition is causing pain. The ease of access and the comfortable surface become primary factors when a cat is experiencing pain and urgency.
5. Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine. A cat suffering from incontinence loses bladder control, and urine can leak out wherever they are resting, which unfortunately can often be your bed.
Urinary incontinence itself is a symptom of various underlying issues, including:
- Nerve damage: Damage to the nerves controlling the bladder can disrupt normal bladder function.
- Urethral blockages: Blockages in the urethra can lead to overflow incontinence.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Infection with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) can sometimes cause neurological issues that lead to incontinence.
- Congenital abnormalities: Malformations of the urethra or ureters (the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder) can result in incontinence.
It’s crucial to remember that peeing on the bed is rarely a behavioral issue rooted in spite. It’s more likely a sign of a medical problem or emotional distress that needs attention.
6. Kidney Disease
Kidney disease in cats, particularly chronic kidney disease, is a common ailment in older cats. Diseased kidneys lose their ability to efficiently concentrate urine and conserve water.
This impaired kidney function leads to increased urine production and a more frequent urge to urinate. A cat with kidney disease may simply not be able to hold their urine long enough to reach the litter box, especially if it’s located far away. The bed becomes an unfortunate but readily available spot for urination.
7. Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus in cats disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. To eliminate excess glucose, the body increases urine production. The kidneys work overtime to filter out the sugar, drawing more water into the urine in the process.
This results in increased urination frequency and volume. Similar to kidney disease, a diabetic cat may experience urgency and be unable to reach the litter box in time, leading to accidents on the bed.
8. Arthritis
Arthritis in older cats is a degenerative joint condition that causes pain and stiffness. The discomfort of arthritis can make it difficult and painful for a cat to use a standard litter box.
Climbing into a litter box, especially one with high sides, can be challenging and painful for an arthritic cat. If an older, arthritic cat is already resting on your bed when the urge to urinate strikes, they may choose the bed as the easier, less painful option compared to navigating to and entering the litter box.
9. Cognitive Dysfunction (Feline Dementia)
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), often referred to as feline dementia, is a decline in mental function that typically affects senior cats over 10 years old. CDS can impact a cat’s memory, awareness, and cognitive abilities.
One symptom of cognitive dysfunction can be forgetting the location of the litter box. A cat with CDS might become disoriented or confused and urinate on the nearest available soft surface, which could be your bed, simply because they’ve lost their spatial awareness or forgotten where their designated toilet is.
10. Litter Box Aversion
Litter box aversion is a behavioral issue where a cat develops a dislike for their litter box, leading them to avoid using it. This aversion can stem from various factors related to the litter box itself.
Cats are particular about their litter box setup. Factors that can contribute to litter box aversion include:
- Location: If the litter box is placed in a noisy, high-traffic area, near food and water, or in a location that feels unsafe or exposed, a cat may avoid it.
- Size and type: Litter boxes that are too small, have high sides, or are covered can be unappealing to some cats.
- Litter type: Cats can be very sensitive to the type of litter. They may dislike the texture, scent, or dustiness of certain litters.
- Cleanliness: Cats prefer clean litter boxes. Infrequent scooping or complete litter changes can make the box unappealing.
Beds can become attractive alternatives to a disliked litter box. They offer a soft surface, are usually in quiet areas, and the scent of urine might become less offensive to the cat if the litter box is perceived as consistently unpleasant.
A cat inspecting a litter box, emphasizing the importance of appropriate litter box setup.
How To Stop Your Cat From Peeing on the Bed
The key to stopping your cat from peeing on your bed is to identify and address the underlying cause. This requires a multi-faceted approach that may involve veterinary care, environmental adjustments, and behavioral strategies.
For cats experiencing stress and anxiety, several calming aids can be beneficial:
- Pheromone diffusers: Feliway® Classic diffusers release synthetic feline facial pheromones that create a calming and secure environment for cats.
- Probiotic supplements: Purina® Pro Plan® Calming Care probiotic powder contains a strain of beneficial bacteria that has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety in cats.
- L-theanine and alpha-casozepine products: Supplements like Nutramax® Solliquin® and Zylkene® contain natural ingredients that promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
In more severe cases of anxiety, your veterinarian may recommend anti-anxiety medications such as clomipramine or fluoxetine.
For medical causes of bed-wetting, working closely with your veterinarian is essential. Treatment will depend on the specific diagnosis and may involve medication, dietary changes, or other therapies.
If litter box aversion is the culprit, consider these litter box management strategies to correct common litter box mistakes:
- Increase the number of litter boxes: A general rule is to have one more litter box than the number of cats in your household.
- Experiment with litter box locations: Try moving the litter box to a quieter, more accessible, or less trafficked area.
- Try different types of litter: Offer a variety of litters with different textures and scents to see if your cat has a preference.
- Remove litter box covers: Some cats prefer uncovered litter boxes for better ventilation and visibility.
- Use larger litter boxes: Ensure the litter box is adequately sized to allow your cat to comfortably turn around and eliminate.
- Provide low-entry litter boxes: For older or arthritic cats, low-sided litter boxes are easier to access.
To make your bed less appealing as a urination spot:
- Restrict access to the bed: Keep the bedroom door closed to prevent your cat from accessing the bed when you are not around.
- Use enzymatic cleaners: Clean any urine spots on your bedding with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle®. These cleaners break down urine odors effectively, discouraging repeat offenses.
By understanding the potential reasons behind your cat’s behavior and taking proactive steps to address them, you can help your feline companion and keep your bed urine-free. Consulting with your veterinarian is always the first and most important step in resolving this issue.
WRITTEN BY
Hannah Hart, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Hart graduated from veterinary school in 2017 and began her career with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service as a public health…
