Why Is My Cat Peeing On My Bed?

Your cat peeing on your bed can be frustrating, but they’re not doing it out of spite or to be naughty. Instead, cats may pee on your bed due to environmental, emotional, biological, or medical issues. Understanding why your cat is peeing on your bed or why your cat keeps peeing on your bed can help you be a better pet parent, allowing you to take care of any needs they have. 

Unfortunately, many pet parents believe their cat is peeing the bed because they’re trying to get back at them, but that’s not the case. Cats do not do any behaviors out of spite. Your cat is not mad at you when they pee on the bed. Any time a cat urinates outside of their litter box, they’re trying to tell you something, so it’s time to listen. By understanding why your cat pees on the bed, you can get them any treatment they might need to prevent the problem in the future and ensure their health and wellness. If you’re wondering “Why is my cat peeing on my bed?”, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss the possible reasons your cat pees on the bed and how to stop your cat from peeing on the bed. 

• Common Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing On Your Bed
• Medical Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing On Your Bed
• How To Get Your Cat To Stop Peeing On The Bed
• Final Notes

Common Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing On Your Bed

There are many reasons why cats decide to pee on the bed. This is not an exhaustive list, but if your cat keeps peeing on the bed, take them to the vet for an examination. Here are a few possible reasons why your cat is peeing on your bed. 

Litter Box Issues

Cats are picky about their litter boxes. Not only do they want them to be clean, but they also want to be comfortable while they do their business. If the litter box doesn’t give your cat enough privacy, they may not use it as often as they should. While cats don’t need the same type of privacy humans do, they don’t want visiting the litter box to be a stressful experience. If the litter box is in a busy area that gets a lot of foot traffic or noise, like a hallway or in the laundry room, your cat might not be comfortable using it. 

It’s also possible for your cat not to like the litter box itself. For example, if there’s a cover that traps odor or prevents your cat from moving around in the litter box, they may feel dirty and cramped. Your cat may also not like the type of litter you use. Different cats prefer different litter, so it may take some trial and error before you find the perfect kind for your feline friend. If you’re using cheap, uncomfortable litter, your cat might also find it troublesome or even painful on their paws and claws. Additionally, the fragrance may also deter your cat. Since cats have a strong sense of smell, you don’t want a litter that has a strong fragrance your cat won’t like. 

Additionally, cat parents should ensure that they have enough litter boxes accessible to the cats in their home. A safe rule of thumb is to have one more litter box than you have cats in your home. 

Emotional Issues

If your cat is peeing on the bed, it could be because of stress or anxiety.¹ Unfortunately, cats can be stressed or anxious for several reasons, from being left alone at home for too long to needlessly loud noises. Even being introduced to a stranger can stress an anxious cat out. Some cats are also more prone to anxiety than others, and there’s sometimes no way to prevent them from becoming so stressed that they pee on the bed. 

If you notice your cat is exhibiting signs of stress, consult your vet ASAP. Of course, just because you can’t prevent stress doesn’t mean you can’t make your cat feel more comfortable and secure in their own home. You can give your cat a sanctuary where they can go to be alone when the regular hustle and bustle of the house gives them anxiety. Cats like tall areas, so invest in a quality cat tree or cat condo where your cat can spend time away from stressful situations. 

Cats may also feel stressed in a house with multiple cats, especially if they’re territorial. Some cats are more territorial than others and may urinate in odd places like your bed to mark their scent. If you have multiple cats, consider getting multiple litter boxes so each cat can do their business in their own designated area and feel more secure. 

Cats can become stressed when they are overly attached to their pet parent as well. 

Change In Environment

Most cats love routine and despise change, so your cat could pee on your bed after there has been a change in their environment. Moving an outdoor cat inside, moving homes, or adding a new person or pet to the household can cause frustration, stress, and anxiety that can induce a change in your cat’s behavior.²

Cats like to control and predict their environments, so any changes, no matter how minor, could cause your cat to urinate in your bed or on other furniture. 

Your Cat Hasn’t Been Fixed

If your cat is in heat, they may experience urination changes that cause them to urinate more frequently, which means potentially going outside the litter box. Female cats may urinate more frequently while in heat because their urine contains pheromones and hormones that signal to potential mates that they’re ready to breed. Meanwhile, male cats spray to mark their territory and may be trying to tell other cats that he owns a particular area.³

Therefore, cats may urinate on the bed if they’re trying to mate or due to the fact that they’re being territorial. Even female cats can be territorial around other cats or pets in the home, which may make them try to “claim” your bed as their territory. Cats in heat will also urinate more frequently, causing them to go outside the litter box when needed.

Medical Reasons Why Your Cat Is Peeing On Your Bed

Many medical conditions may cause your cat to pee on the bed. If your cat doesn’t have a diagnosed illness and begins peeing on your bed, they should be taken to the vet for an examination just in case. Frequent urination is one key indicator of many different illnesses in cats. A few common medical reasons why your cat is peeing on your bed include: 

Diabetes

Cats with diabetes tend to drink more water, causing them to urinate more frequently. Additionally, high glucose levels can pull more water into the urine, making your cat urinate more.⁴ Feline diabetes is a serious medical condition that must be treated by a vet. If your cat is overweight, they’re at risk of developing diabetes, so it’s always best to ensure they stay at a healthy weight. Common signs of diabetes in cats include:

• Excessive thirst and urination
• Weakness 
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite

Kidney Disease

Excessive urination is also a common sign of kidney disease in cats, because it means the kidneys aren’t reabsorbing water.⁵ Your cat may drink more water because the frequent urination causes them to become dehydrated. If left untreated, kidney failure can lead to other health problems and be potentially fatal. 

Urinary Tract Infection

Feline urinary tract infections (UTIs) are another common illness in cats that may cause them to pee on your bed. Many times the infection doesn’t allow them to hold their urine. UTIs affect the bladder and urethra and cause difficult urination and increased urination frequency.⁶ Cats with UTIs may also have blood in their urine. 

How to Get Your Cat to Stop Peeing on the Bed

No matter the cause, you might be wondering, “How can I stop my cat from peeing on my bed?” If your cat keeps peeing on your bed, the first thing you should do is try to find out why. Only a vet can perform medical diagnostic tests, so it’s always best to consult a vet about your cat’s health and wellness to ensure they’re not suffering from an undiagnosed medical illness. 

If your cat has any symptoms of illness, including lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, excessive thirst, and urinating outside the litter box, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to rule out any medical illnesses. Once your cat is cleared, if they continue to urinate on your bed, there are a few other things you can try, including: 

Optimizing Their Litter Box

If your cat is having issues with their litter box, try to change the location to see if they stop urinating on your bed. If that doesn’t work, check their litter to ensure it’s comfortable enough and won’t deter them from digging in it. Additionally, you should have a separate litter box for each cat in your household to prevent them from becoming territorial. 

Thoroughly Cleaning Their Litter Box

Cats like to do their business in a clean environment, so their litter should be scooped daily with the litter replaced regularly.⁷ Every time the litter is changed, the box itself should be scrubbed to remove old odors, feces, and urine. You can use a mild dish detergent or unscented cleaner to ensure the smell of your cleaning products doesn’t deter your cat. 

Rewarding Them For Using The Litter Box

Cats with behavioral problems may need extra reinforcement to use the litter box. While you can’t cure your cat’s anxiety by rewarding them for using the litter box, you can make them more likely to use it if they get a treat or other positive reinforcement after using it. 

Preventing Them From Getting On Your Bed

If your cat continues to urinate on your bed and a vet gives them a clean bill of health, you may have to prevent them from going on your bed, especially when you’re not at home. You can make your bed a no-cat zone by using scents that deter cats like citrus.

Of course, if you’re going to prevent your cat from getting on the bed, you must commit to it. If you don’t allow your cat on the bed during the day but want them to sleep next to you at night, you could be sending them mixed signals that only increase their stress. 

Final Notes

If your cat is peeing on your bed, they’re trying to tell you something, so you should always have them examined by a vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Of course, other issues, such as litter box problems and behavioral issues like stress, can cause your cat to urinate on your bed as well. 

Ask a Dutch vet when you’re unsure why your cat keeps peeing on your bed. Dutch licensed vets are available to help you manage your cat’s behavior and treat any underlying problems, including anxiety, that may cause your cat to pee on your bed. With our help, you can get the answers you need when you need them most to ensure your feline friend gets the care they need.