Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Bed?

Isolating just why a cat keeps peeing on their human’s bed is the first step to correcting the situation. In all cases, the cat is communicating some sort of a problem or issue, and simply ignoring their unwanted behavior will not make it go away.

Here are a few potential reasons why your cat is peeing on your bed:

If your cat is peeing outside of the litter box anywhere at all, a trip to your veterinarian is in order first. Diseases, such as diabetes, feline interstitial (or idiopathic) cystitis, feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD), or even a urinary tract infection, can cause this behavior.

Jealousy over other cats (or even other people) being added to the household can cause a cat to urinate on the bedding, clothing or other belongings of his chosen human. Cats do this to mark their territory and re-claim what they think belongs to them.

Although some behaviorists may not agree, I do believe there is a certain amount of “revenge” involved as well when a cat pees on the bed, which is why only their special human’s bed and belongings get targeted.

Peeing outside of the box can also occur when cats feel stressed or anxious. Separation anxiety, for example, can drive a cat to seek solace in their pet parent’s belongings when they’re away, soiling on them to be sure the other household cats know who these items belong to.

Cats dislike change, so look to recent changes in the household that could be causing your cat to feel stressed.

The litter box itself, the location of the box and/or the type of litter being used could all be causing your cat to pee elsewhere. Putting the box in a high-traffic location, not having enough boxes on all floors of your home, and/or using a cat litter your cat finds unpleasant are all litter box issues that are sure to have your cat looking for more pleasant surroundings to use instead.

Now that we know a few possible reasons for your cat’s undesirable bed-peeing behavior, here are some things you can do to help your cat break their naughty little habit of peeing on your bed.

Your veterinarian will be able to pinpoint any medical issues and treat them accordingly, which in most cases will clear up the litter box avoidance. You may also need to do some of the other steps below, in case your cat’s bed peeing behavior does not stop right away.

To avoid jealous feelings among your cats, be sure to give all of your cats lots of love, attention, and goodies. This especially goes for the original cat in the household, who may need more reassurance and love while the cat (or person) who is new to the household is still upsetting them.

If your cat seems to be stressed or anxious, finding the cause of the stress will enable you to help them through those feelings. Is there a dog barking outside? Is a new outdoor cat tormenting them? Have you changed your schedule, gone out of town or just haven’t been home as much as usual?

Cats like routine, and any household changes are likely to cause most cats some amount of stress and behavior issues, like peeing on the bed.

While you are getting a handle on why your cat is peeing on your bed or other off-limited places, making the no-pee zones unattractive will help him break the habit of “going” there.

Use of a cat-specific enzyme cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle® Just For Cats Oxy Cat Stain & Odor Remover, to remove any traces your cat may look for so that they can return to the same spot.

Also use of a sound-producing scat mat or motion-triggered air spray repellent will make these places unpleasant for your cat to visit.

If your cat appears to be high strung, calming aids, such as a Feliway® MultiCat 30 Day Starter Kit Plug-In Diffuser & Refill, or calming treats like NaturVet® Quiet Moments® Calming Aid Plus Melatonin Cat Soft Chews, may come in handy.

I, myself, have a cat who likes to pee against walls when he becomes stressed or overstimulated. Since I started using the Feliway Plug, he has virtually stopped this behavior.

Help your cat to like their litter box. If your cat does not like where the litter box is located, the size of said box, the type of litter inside of it, or it’s state of cleanliness, they are more likely to find an alternate place to “go.”

If you are too busy to scoop daily, I would suggest the use of a good automatic scooping litter pan. It’s also important to put the box in a quiet place away from where Fido sleeps or the kids play.

If your cat is still reluctant to use it, a sprinkling of Dr. Elsey’s® Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant might do the trick.

Once you help your cat to become the cool cat they used to be, before they start peeing on your bed, you two will once again be snuggling together high and dry at bedtime!

Need tips for cleaning up after your kitty? Find out how to get rid of cat pee smell.

A cat may urinate on the bed because of a health problem, stress, jealousy around a new pet or person, separation anxiety, or unhappiness with their litter box, litter type, or box location.

Start with a visit to your vet to rule out any medical issues that can cause a cat to pee outside the litter box. Then look for stressors or recent changes in your household. 

Be sure to give your cat plenty of attention and reassurance, and make your cat’s litter box appealing and easy to use. You may consider using calming products and enzyme cleaners, as well. 

You should see your veterinarian any time your cat is peeing outside the litter box. Health issues such as diabetes, feline interstitial (or idiopathic) cystitis, feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD), or a urinary tract infection can contribute to this behavior.

A sudden change in your cat’s behavior—like peeing on the bed—may be due to a medical issue or a new stressor, such as a change in your cat’s routine, a new pet or person, a barking dog outside, an outdoor cat in their territory, or a family member’s frequent or prolonged absence. 

Yes, a cat may pee on the bed if their litter box is placed in a high-traffic or noisy area of the home or if their litter box isn’t maintained daily.

Cats may also protest by peeing on the bed if there are too few litter boxes in the house (one for every cat, plus one extra is a good rule of thumb), if their box is too big or too small, of if they don’t like the type of litter you’ve chosen.