Why Is My Cat Urinating on My Bed?

Illness

• A cat might be ill without displaying any visible symptoms. If a cat suddenly starts to urinate in odd places such as your bed, couch or kitchen counter, it could have a kidney infection or other illness. If elimination is painful, the cat might associate the pain with the litter box, therefore refusing to use it. A trip to the veterinarian might be necessary to rule out any illness.

Multiple Cat Household

• If there is more than one cat in the household, there should be at least one litter box for each cat. Cats are particular animals, and some will not urinate in the same litter box as another cat. Even the same cat might not use the litter box if it has used the litter box previously and the box has not been cleaned. Adding an extra litter box might eliminate the offending behavior.

Stress

• Behavior problems such as inappropriate elimination are often caused by stress. Household changes can cause cats to misbehave, especially if a new person or animal is introduced into the home. Moving to a new home might cause cat to eliminate in other areas outside of the litter box until it adjusts to the new environment. Cats that are left alone for long periods of time might develop separation anxiety and subsequently exhibit inappropriate elimination behavior. If a dominant cat tends to bully another cat, this might prevent the more docile cat from using the litter box. Separating the cats for a few days can help determine if this is the problem.

Litter Type

• The type of litter that is used might be offensive to the cat. If you purchase a new brand of litter and the cat suddenly stops using the litter box, it probably has an aversion to the type of litter. Some cats do not like the clumping type of litter because it tends to stick to their paws. It is best to use unscented litter because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans and might develop an aversion to certain scents.

Litter Box Location

• The location of the litter box can affect whether a cat uses it. Cats like privacy, so the litter box should be in a location that is not subject to high traffic. It should not be placed near the cat's food and water bowls. It also helps to have at least one litter box on each level of the house so the cat has one available upstairs and downstairs. The cat might eliminate on the floor or elsewhere if no litter box is available.

Keep it Clean

• Cats are clean animals and will not eliminate in a litter box that is full or has a strong odor. Clean the litter box daily. It is best to use warm, soapy water to clean the litter box rather than harsh cleaning agents such as bleach, which could be harmful to your pet. Don't use any cleaning products that contain ammonia because the odor is similar to the odor of cat urine.