Imagine coming home after a long day at work, eager to unwind and sleep. You pull back the covers, only to discover a wet spot - your cat has peed on your bed! Cats usually use their litter boxes well, but sometimes they eliminate inappropriately, which can strain your relationship, especially if it keeps happening. So, how do you stop your cat from peeing on your bed? First, find out why they're doing it. It could be a behavioral problem or a medical issue. Figuring out the reason will help you stop the behavior. Here's a look at why cats pee on beds and how to prevent it.
The 8 Tips and Tricks to Stop Your Cat From Peeing on Your Bed
Stopping your cat from peeing on your bed takes time and patience. Once you know the cause, you'll need to change some aspects of your cat's care and home environment. Here are some tips!
1. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner
When your cat pees on your bed, don't just wash the linens right away. Spray the spot with an enzymatic cleaner first. These cleaners get rid of urine odor, so your pet doesn't smell it and think it's okay to pee there again. It's an extra step, but it helps in the long run.
2. Veterinary Check-Up
When dealing with inappropriate elimination, rule out medical conditions. Consult your vet, who may examine your cat and recommend tests like bloodwork, urine tests, or imaging. If your cat has a medical condition, follow the vet's treatment plan to stop the bed-peeing.
3. Stress-Proof Your Home
You can't completely remove stress from your home, but if you know what's making your cat anxious, try to remove the stressor. If it's a big change like a new baby or a move, give your pet time to adjust and provide a safe place. Removing a stressor should make the behavior stop faster.
4. Fix the Litter Box
If you think your cat has issues with the litter box's location, type of litter, or cleaning, identify and fix the problem. Try different litters and move the box around. Remember, it shouldn't be near food and water and should be quiet. Have one litter box per cat plus an extra, and clean it daily and replace it weekly.
5. Synthetic Pheromones
Synthetic pheromones like Feliway, available as diffusers and sprays, mimic natural ones cats produce when they feel safe. After ensuring the toileting areas are good, add a Feliway diffuser to the room your cat spends most time in to calm them.
6. Interact With Your Cat More Often
Play with your cat every day! Playtime reduces stress and anxiety and helps you bond with your pet, making them happier and more relaxed.
7. Spray Your Bed With a Scent Kitty Hates
If other methods don't work, try deterrents. Spray your comforter with a scent your cat dislikes. Commercial sprays with citrus scents are available, but find a scent you can tolerate. Using unpleasant scents may help short-term, but address the root cause or the behavior may return.
8. Close the Door to Your Bedroom
Finally, close the bedroom door to keep your cat off the bed. While dealing with other factors, this restricts access. Your cat may use the litter box or pee elsewhere, but your bed will be safe.
Why Do Cats Pee on Beds
Cats pee on beds for several reasons.
Old Age
Older cats may have joint problems, making it hard to get in and out of the litter box. They may also have cognitive decline, forgetting where the litter box is and choosing the bed instead.
Anxiety
Cats can be anxious, and peeing on the bed is one way they deal with it. Urinating leaves pheromones that comfort them, making the bed a safer place. Reasons for anxiety include new homes, people, pets, fireworks, loud noises, and construction.
Health Issues
Many health conditions can cause a cat to pee on your bed, like feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney disease, bladder stones, and incontinence.
Problems with the Litter Box
Cats are picky about the litter box. If it's not up to their standards in terms of litter type or location, or if it's not cleaned properly, they'll find another place to pee.
Conclusion
Cats pee on beds for various reasons, often medical. Determine the cause by visiting the vet and fixing litter box issues. Solving this problem takes time and patience. Avoid punishment, which can stress your cat. If the problem persists, consult a veterinary behaviorist.