How To Stop A Cat Peeing On Bed Covers And Soft Furnishings
If your cat keeps peeing on your bed, his bed, or the dogs bed its worth remembering that each cat is different. There is no one-size fits all solution to the problem, and you have to try a few things.
For the best results, youll need to deny your cat access to your bed or other areas where he has been peeing inappropriately
At the same time, make his litter box area attractive to him.
With time and patience, you should be able to restore your cats proper house manners. If you continue to have problems, dont hesitate to consult a qualified cat behaviorist. Theyll be able to give you some great advice on how to stop your cat peeing on pillows.
Anyway, good luck. Why dont you let us know how you get on in the comments section.
He Doesnt Like The Type Of Litter
Some cats are extra picky when it comes to their cat litter, and if it isnt soft enough for them, theyll find another place to go. Especially if your cat has previously been declawed, rough litter is going to be painful on their paws.
To help find the perfect litter, you can put two litter boxes next to each other, each with a different brand, to see which one he goes for.
No More Kitties Pooping On The Bed
Now that you have a pretty good idea about what could cause this behavior, its time to get to work trying out new methods. Just know that there is a solution to every bad action.
You might not be able to pinpoint an exact reason. Thats why its so important to work closely with your vet to determine the cause.
Featured Image Credit: Paul Hanaoka, Unsplash
Contents Overview
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How Do You Stop A Cat From Peeing On The Bed
Getting to the source of why your cat peed on your bed, will help you to manage the situation effectively. It is crucial to eliminate any medical issues with a visit to the vet.
Dont scold or raise your voice when your cat pees outside of their box. Your cat is not being naughty or vindictive by peeing on your bed. Theyre communicating their needs to you the best way they can.
Shouting and becoming angry with your cat wont make the situation any better. It can do more damage than good, by causing your cat more anxiety.
Start by addressing any potential issues with the litter box. Assess its placement, relook the actual litter and upgrade to more or bigger boxes should it be necessary. The idea is to create a litter box situation that your cat is comfortable with and wont avoid.
If your cat peed on your bed , make sure to thoroughly clean the area. Cats are scent-driven creatures and will associate the smell of their urine with the toilet and continue to return to the same spot to relieve themselves. You dont want lingering smells to perpetuate the very problem youre trying to solve.
If the habit of your cat peeing in your bed has begun to take root, you can go so far as to make the area unattractive to your cat. Some have suggested spreading a shower curtain or other non-absorbent material over the bed when youre not in it to dissuade your kitty from peeing there.
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How To Stop Your Cat Toileting Indoors
Once your cat has toileted or sprayed in a certain place, their sensitive nose encourages them to use that place again. The best way to break the habit is to keep them away from the area for as long as possible and clean the area thoroughly so they cant smell any scent.
Once you have cleaned up, you can try other techniques to make sure your cat is as comfortable as possible weeing and pooing where youd like them to.
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Recognize And Limit Your Cats Stress
So you now praise your cat when they pee in the litter box. But if that doesnât fix the problem, look for try strategies that reduce stress. Donât praise or cuddle them when you find catpee on your bed. Ignore what happened. Clean everything up and use cleaners that remove the smell. While baking soda helps, it doesnât remove all traces of the mess. We find that products with enzymes that remove the smell and waste work best. The product we use in our clinic and at home is Natureâs Miracle. It has enzymes which remove the proteins in your cat pee and solid waste.
Next, try to find out what stresses out your cat. Could it be your new kitten or puppy messing around too much? Could it be your new robot vacuum is terrorizing them? Is it separation anxiety? This is hard to diagnose without a video camera to see what is happening after you leave. Or your neighborâs new found love of the trumpet? When you find what changed in your cats environment that may be causing them stress, look for ways to relieve it. Check how your cat feels from day to day and at what moments they seem to show signs of stress.
My Cat Peed In Her New Bed
However, what if your well house-trained cat pees on the cat bed youve just bought for her. How ungrateful after you went to all that time and effort. But, just think for a moment. Are you sure she even knows its a bed?
Perhaps she actually thinks that it is a new toilet. Its the best toilet ever because it is so soft and comfortable underfoot. How delightful! In our human minds, we know the difference between a litter box and a cat bed! In a cats mind, things are different. She cant read the label, after all!
Its actually pretty logical when you think about it. Many traditional cat beds are roughly the same size and shape as a litter box. Like litter trays, they may be enclosed or semi-enclosed.
If she pees or poops in it once, and the bed remains in the same place, she will see it as an extension to her existing toilet facilities. In other words, she will continue to use it. Really, the only way to change that is washing the bed and moving it. We will give you some great advice on getting rid of the smell later. Now, lets look at the dog bed. What did the poor old pooch do to deserve cat pee in his bed?
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Its Possible Theyre Feeling Stressed Out And Anxious
Via Pixabay/FREE PHOTO
This brings us to one of the main reasons for cats soiling your precious sleeping areaa whole lot of anxiety and stress. According to PetMD, anxiety in cats can trigger some unpleasant reactions, including peeing in places that theyre not supposed to.
Maybe your partner just moved in and theyve taken over your kittys side of the bed? Maybe you just introduced another four-legged friend into their sacred space? Anxiety can trigger this strange reaction in catsespecially since they tend to thrive in a predictable and controllable environment.
Its also a possibility that youre not spending enough time with your furry bestie. VetStreet explains that cats can express their unhappiness with their owners being out of town, or even gone for long hours at work, by peeing in their bed or on other things. The intermingling of their scent with the owners scent on the bed can also be comforting to them, which is, lets face itsuch a sad, heartbreaking thought!
Anyway, getting to the root of the psychological or emotional stressor thats causing the kitty to urinate in your lovely sheets may be difficult, but its the only way to truly remedy the situation.
Teach Your Cat To Stop Peeing Furniture
If youâve discovered your catâs been peeing on your furniture, then itâs time to make them stop. No matter if theyâve been neutered or not, cats can spray regardless. The only difference between a cat that sprays and a cat that doesnât is their behavior.
Some cats feel the need to assert their presence and authority by marking their territory and area. While other cats already feel safe and donât need to bother. The secret is to make sure your cat feels safe and isnât stressed out.
Maybe thereâs something in your house thatâs causing your cat to spray. Or maybe its the location of their litter tray. Whatever it is, you need to identify the cause and then fix it.
If youâre looking for help in stopping your cat from spraying, then we can help. Our T.T.S method has helped thousands of cat owned stop their cats from spraying. By following our simple PDF eBook you can teach your cat to stop spraying in 7 days or less. Stop wasting your time and money on cleaning supplies, cease cat spraying today!
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How To Stop Your Cat From Inappropriate Peeing
- Check with your vet for any medical conditions. If your cat has a health problem, your vet will recommend the best treatment.
- Spend more time with your cat. Playing with your cat more can relieve their stress and anxiety.
- If your cat likes to cuddle, make sure you spend some time cuddling with them. This will help your cat feel comfortable.
- Make sure your home is a happy place for your cat. Give your cat more room to explore. Provide toys for your cat.
- Always consult your vet for the best methods of reducing stress and anxiety in your cat.
- Clean any places where your cat has peed inappropriately with an enzymatic cleaner. Your cat will stop marking in those places.
- Place treats close to where your cats pee inappropriately. If your cat is peeing on the bed, place treats there. Cats hate peeing near places where they eat. If you change the places where your cat pees to where they eat, they will stop peeing there.
- If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, make sure you clean the box regularly. Also, provide more litter boxes for your cat.
Cats may pee due to a health or behavioral problem. In order to solve the problem, you need to understand why they are peeing in other areas. Talk with your vet so that your cat gets the right treatment. For behavioral problems, spend more time with your cat so that they can get rid of stress and anxiety.
Cat Peeing On Dog Bed
Why isnt the dog going in his bed? Why is he standing there looking at it forlornly? Wait a minute, the cats peed on it. Why did she do that? Again, lets look at this from your cats perspective. Just like the cat bed and your bed, doggys bed is a lovely soft texture. Its usually soft and malleable, and gives your cat a comfortable toileting experience.
Its also much bigger than the litter box, and is located somewhere discreet. Maybe the dogs bed provides a nice open space where your cat has a 360-degree view so she can see any approaching threats.
From a cat peeing on bed perspective, whats not to like? She isnt just doing it to annoy the dog, even though its tempting to think so! Now, we understand why she is peeing on beds, so why dont we look at a few ways we can stop it.
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How To Stop Inappropriate Litter Box Behavior
Perhaps the most common reason cats urinate inappropriately is that they dislike the litter box. If your cat is peeing everywhere and you’ve ruled out medical issues, then it’s time to reassess your litter boxes.
In general, the key to stopping inappropriate urination in cats or avoiding it altogether is as simple as being a responsible, attentive cat owner. Keep your cat healthy and visit the vet for routine care and as soon as issues crop up. Minimize stress in your cat’s environment and try to keep a cat-friendly, low-stress home.
Why Might My Cat Pee On My Bed
There are many reasons why your cat may have started urinating in strange places around the house including
- Stress Cats can be very easily stressed which can lead to inappropriate urination or even feline lower urinary tract disease , otherwise known as idiopathic cystitis. The exact reason for this disorder is unknown, but cats that are overweight and predominantly indoors are at higher risk of developing it, as are cats that are stressed.
- Inappropriate litter tray Some cats wont use a tray in a busy location, if its the wrong size/shape or if it is shared with multiple other cats in the house
- Urinary crystals or stones Some cats can develop crystals in their urine which can progress to stones . The irritation that these cause can make cats want to urinate more often and in strange places.
- Urinary tract infections urinary tract infections are uncommon in cats but is still a possible cause of cystitis or inappropriate urination
- Kidney disease Cats with poorly functioning kidneys often drink more than normal and therefore urinate more than normal too, which could lead to urine accidents
- Diabetes This condition causes an increase in thirst which could lead to more urination, plus the abnormal level of sugar in the urine makes it more likely for a cat to get a urinary tract infection
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Check Your Cat For Medical Problems
First, you want to know your cat is healthy. Urinating outside of the litter box is the most common cat behavior problem caused by medical conditions. Often it is associated with painful urination, urine incontinence, or urinary tract infection.
IMPORTANT: Every cat who experiences litter box problems should be examined by a veterinarian. Please let your veterinarian know if the problem appeared suddenly. Take note of any changes in your cats environment.
How Do You Keep Cat From Peeing On Things
Alternatively, you can use aluminium foil to cover the area where the cat is peeing. Cats donât prefer the smell and sound of the foil, and hence this will keep them away from peeing at that place. Homemade vinegar solution and citrus extract can act as excellent cat repellents as well. Cats hate the smell of citrus.
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Finding Comfort On Your Comforter
Some cats urinate on their owners beds if the owners work long hours or travel. Sometimes the inappropriate episodes occur either when an owner is out of the house or out of town, or the cat may wait until the owner returns home. It is a cat’s way of communicating how unhappy or stressed he has been over your absence. Sometimes a cat may urinate on the side of the bed of the person with whom the cat has a conflict. I have seen this occur when an owner brings home a new partner or a housemate moves in and the cat is not immediately accepting of the new person in his life. Sometimes a move may be a catalyst for urinating on the bed. These various scenarios may be stressful for the cat, and the cat may want to intermingle his own scent with the owners scent on the bed. It is important to remember that the cat is not being spiteful if this happens it is simply that the intermingling of these odors may prove comforting to the cat. Because it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s causing the cat’s anxiety, it’s important to work with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist to identify the cause and determine the correct steps to help remedy the situation.
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Cats That Urinate Inappropriately May Have A Medical Problem
The first thing you must consider anytime your cat is urinating outside of the litter box is that she might have a medical problem. Urinary tract infection, diabetes, and kidney disease are all common conditions in cats that can cause an inability to make it to the litter box or an aversion to using the box.
If your cat urinates on your bed or anywhere else that isn’t the litter box, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
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Encouraging Your Kitty To Head To The Box
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All of the sources we came across did agree on one important thingthat you should re-think your litter box situation if your cat doesnt want to eliminate there. In fact, unhappiness with their current litter box is one of the major reasons that kitties have issues peeing in the proper place.
According to VetStreet you should first look at the box itself. Make sure its not too tall , but that its large enough for them to fit inside comfortably. Many cats prefer uncovered boxes, even though their humans like the covered ones where everything is all tucked away.
The kind of litter you use is also important and cats can get picky about this. Finely ground clumping clay litter is a popular choice for kitties, although you should avoid the ones with a strong scent since thats mostly for the sake of humans, not for the cat.
Location, location, location is also essential. You dont want to keep the litter box in an area that people are constantly walking through, as that can be super distracting to a cat trying to do their business. Its also a good idea to put a couple of boxes around the house, with the rule of thumb being one box per cat, plus an extra.
Vet Street also emphasizes the importance of cleaning the litter box DAILY. Yes, that can be a painbut its essential for making your kitty feel safe and happy. Plus, your house will smell a heck of a lot better if you do that!