My cat urinates on my bed and other places in the house sometimes, why?

Question

He is about 10 months old and most of the time he uses his litter box, but sometimes he surprises us by doing it on our bed, carpet, etc.

Can anyone tell what I can do to stop him from doing it? Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi there...first consider all other the possibilities which may be contributing the inappropriate soiling:
- cats over the age of 5-7 months who are not spayed/neutered will mark territory with urine spraying. ONLY spay/neuter will alleviate this behaviour as it is hormonally induced.
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up

If and when all these have been ruled out, there's a chance then it's most likely your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem such as a lower urinary tract disorder/infection which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for Feline Health: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please see website for further details.

Answer 2

Being 10 months old makes me wonder, have you got your cat fixed?? More time than not when a cat isn't fixed they have territory issues. They go threw the house and mark it up, letting everyone and everything know that area is claimed. Also as much as you think you may have cleaned up all the urine, there is still a pheromone that is left behind and cant be removed by most cleaners. A larger pet store should have a spray cleaner that is specially designed to remove the pheromone. If that pheromone doesn't get removed, the cat will continue to mark they territory.

So, if your cat isnt fixed, i would take them down and get your cat fixed, as well as be sure to buy some of the cat spray remover. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

How long have you had him? Is this the first time he's done this? Is the litter box always clean for him to use? Most cats frown up at a dirty box, especially with multiple cats. And if he's not neutered, that increases the chances of him "marking his territory" in your place.

Answer 4

My cat has done that before, several reasons.
#1. Mad at you for some reason
#2. Litterbox not clean
#3. Litterbox not easily accessable
#4. Marking territory
#5. Can still smell pee, use a cat urine remover on all the spots
#6. A change, baby or new animal by chance?
#7. Wants to get your attention
Hope This Helps

Answer 5

My cats do that. It's when their litter box is to full for their liking. Cats are incredibly nuerotic, and having just one little turd in there can totally turn them off from it. So when he does it, take a look inside the box, and see how full it is. Then try and keep it cleaner then that, and see if he does it anymore.

If it isn't the litter box, then it could be you! My other cat used to piss on me while I as sleeping. Not my husband, just me. And she would use my clothes, not his, as a litter box. It could be a same sex thing, or it could be territorial, or it could be his litter box. There's not telling with cats!

Answer 6

Maybe his litter box is full, and you should keep it clean.
Maybe he wants to go out of your house and you don´t let him.
And I don´t really think he is marking territory. Cats use to be very clean and he wouldn´t urinate your bed for that reason

Answer 7

I know this sounds cruel but you should rub the cats snout in the urine when she does it in anyplace other than the litter box. After you rub her snout in the urine, carry her to the cat box and just take her front paw and rub it in the litter like she would do if she urinated there. It should work. Good luck.

Answer 8

Your cat may have a urinary tract infection or perhaps the litter box needs to be cleaned more often.

Answer 9

i watched a thing on tv the other day that said when a cat or dog handles their buisness on your bed or spaces that are considered yours they are trying to show that they are the dominating animal. in a nut shell.

Answer 10

i beleive you sed HE yes they like to do that get him neuterd and they can realy be abusive towrd other cats when they are not neuterd they are trying to show they are dominate