Help! My cat is peeing in the bed

When Miez discovers the mattress as a loo

Our chaotic story and smart tips for relaxed feline days!

There are situations in the life of a cat owner that are truly challenging.

Some time ago, my daughter, proud owner of two beautiful British Shorthair cats, Sammy and Dobby, faced such a challenge. She lived with the two rascals in a small student apartment. But suddenly, Sammy's behavior changed, causing her great concern.

Sammy had developed an unpleasant habit.

Every time my daughter left the apartment, he jumped directly onto her bed and marked his territory – with urine! A warm welcome after a long day? More like a disaster! This behavior not only caused nasty odors and a lot of cleaning but also brought significant worries. “What's wrong with Sammy? Is he sick?”

Initially, she explained this behavior as an accident that could happen to any animal. But after the second and third time, it became clear:

A serious problem was developing.

Why furry little ones turn the bed into a litterbox: The secrets behind the peeing drama

When cats urinate in the bed, it’s time to take a closer look.

There are several reasons why these little furry kings (or queens) may develop this undesirable trait:

• Bad habit
• Age-related issues with uncontrolled urination
• Expression of fear and stress
• Serious health problems

My cat is sick

Various diseases can influence a cat's urination behavior. They can lead to increased thirst and a strong urge to urinate. Sometimes, cats withdraw because they are in pain. In the bed, they feel safe and secure. The soft mattress gives them the impression that they can give in to their need to urinate.

The most common diseases:

• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney insufficiency
• Diabetes
• Bladder stones

We were lucky – our vet confirmed that Sammy was healthy. This alleviated a significant worry. But the problem remained.

Stress, Goodbye! How to bring your cat back to its comfort zone

We took a closer look to identify possible stress factors. Cats are sensitive and love their routines. Even the smallest changes can stress or frighten them, and peeing in the bed is often a reaction to this.

Changes that cats may react to:

• Redesigned rooms or rearranged furniture
• Changes to food or water bowls
• Alterations in daily routines
• Moving homes
• Unusual noises, such as fireworks
• Presence of strangers
• Other odors, like new detergents

It’s often tricky to figure out the reason, but there is always one. The little furry ones don't pee in the bed to annoy us. Punishing or scolding them does nothing but aggravate the problem.

In our case, it was simple: my daughter had fallen in love, and suddenly a new person entered her little kingdom – a real disruptor for Sammy! You could almost hear his thoughts:

“A new person in my kingdom? No way!”

To help Sammy, we needed to address his stress situation.

The best insights from the cat whisperer: How to keep your furry friend relaxed

Slow introduction to new situations

Start with short visits. Let new people gain closeness at their own pace. My daughter and her boyfriend began with a quick "Hello" and quickly extended his stay. He patiently waited until the cats came to him on their own. This gradual adjustment helped Sammy not perceive him as a threat. Today, they are the best of friends and spend hours playing and cuddling.

Create cozy and safe retreats

There are always situations where a gradual change is not possible. In such cases, create a safe space for your pet where it can retreat and feel protected. Familiar spots and hideouts, like a scratching post or a favorite box, are ideal.

Stick to fixed routines

Cats love routines. This gives them security. Try to maintain established rituals as much as possible. If a change is unavoidable, attempt to keep other routines intact. For instance, if you get a new couch, place the old favorite blanket on it.

Bye-Bye, musty bed: How to train your cat with a wink

Cat urine in the bed? – No, thank you! The smell is far from pleasant, and the stains are stubborn. One might try to close the bedroom door, but this isn’t a sustainable solution. The little rascals will quickly find another spot to do their business!

Here are 3 tips:

Make the bed unattractive:

Cats love soft and cozy spaces. When the bed is not in use, use newspaper or crinkly plastic tablecloths to make it less appealing.

Move the feeding area into the bedroom

Cats don’t like to relieve themselves near where they eat. Place the food bowl in the bedroom – the bed should remain off-limits!

Provide easy access to the litter box

Keep it clean and try different models that suit your cat's preferences.

Happy ending for cat chaos: Our success story and how you can achieve it too

With patience, understanding, and the right tips, we quickly solved our family’s feline problem. Sammy got used to my daughter’s new boyfriend and never again did his business in the bed. Today, they are a wonderful family with three cats. Who would have thought that the guy who entered her life is now my son-in-law?

Quick summary: The key tips

• Vet check: Have a veterinarian assess whether your cat has any health issues.
• Check for stress factors: Pay attention to changes in the environment that might stress your cat.
• Maintain routines: Keep familiar rituals to provide a sense of security.
• Make the bed unattractive: Ensure the bed isn’t inviting for your cat.
• Place food in the bedroom: Cats prefer not to relieve themselves near their food.
• Choose the right litter box: Ensure the litter box matches your cat's preferences.
• React with patience: Punishment is ineffective – respond with understanding and patience.

Cats are incredibly sensitive creatures and cannot communicate in our language when something is wrong in their lives. They express themselves in their own way. It’s up to us to understand their signals, and sometimes it just requires a bit of patience.

Do you have any other tips? Feel free to share them in the comments. We cat lovers will be grateful!

XO 💕

Sabine