Help my cats wont stop peeing on my bed. I need some advice.?

Question

For the past year my cat has been peeing on my bed weekly. I used to live in an apartment but my dad had a big surgery and needed me to move back home. So now i have a room in his house that I share with two cats. I wish I could let them roam around the rest of the house but my dad has four big dogs that look at my cats like lunch. Anyhow at first I thought the problem was that their litter box was clean enough so I have been cleaning it like crazy. Then I thought it was because I havent been spending enough time with them. So I spend a lot of time with them giving them a lot of attention. Unfortunately that hasnt worked either. My cats are still taking turns peeing on my bed. Someone at work said it might be because I have a feather comforter and it makes it so they can knead it and want to pee there. Has anyone else had this problem and maybe an answer. Im losing my mind and I cant see myself getting rid of my kitties.

Answer 1

Hi Stephanie... first consider all the possibilities such as:
- 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
-unspayed/unneutered cats urine spray and defecate to mark territory. Spay/neuter resolves the inappropriate behaviour if done early enough so that it doesn't become habitual.
-cats over the age of 10 are considered seniors and can develop age-related disorders such as chronic kidney failure, hyperthyrodism, diabetes, etc.

Cats will continue to remark areas which are heavily soiled with urine odours so it's important to thoroughly clean the affected area(s) with an enzyme cleaner such as Natures' Miracle "Just for Cats" http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775019&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025596&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1167132360710&itemNo=0&Ntt=nature%27s+miracle+just+for+cats&In=All&previousText=nature%27s+miracle+just+for+cats&N=2 found worldwide at most pet stores. The solution needs to be poured to soak the affected stains/odours and allowed to air dry. Repeated applications are necessary to eliminate the odours completely.

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that on of your your cats or both may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: 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 consider visiting the website for further details

Please note that the inappropriate urination will most likely have become habitual as well and your kitties will need litter box retraining once after they've been treated respectively if they have a medical condition.

If the kitties have been diagnosed with no physical medical condition then this is behavioural and some cats will benefit from antidepressants for elimination disorders. There are many types of antidepressants options as some are not as effective as others therefore try experimenting to see which will work best. A side note, some antidepressants can have sedating effects so this is something to consider if this may be of concern.

Pheromones products may or may not be helpful, however long-term elimination disorders these tend to fail at achieving any results.

Antidepressants for elimination disorders in cats: http://www.njvet.com/hlth_cat_inappropriate.html

Answer 2

They may have a medical condition. You might want to take them to a vet for a check up to rule that out. Also, you need to get the smell out of the mattress so they won't want to go back there. Try one of the enzyme pet odor eliminators and cleaners that most pet stores have. I would suggest putting a mattress cover on the bed so that the urine can't seep down into the mattress if you haven't already done so. Keep the box as clean as possible. Have you changed the litter? Cats are very picky about change. I would maybe take the feather comforter off the bed for awhile and see if anything changes. They also have sprays that deter cats from certain porous areas. That may work also. Good luck.

Answer 3

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 4

First of all you have to get a NEW MATTRESS and clean your sheets and comforter!!!! Then when ever you leave put a plastic drop cloth or something that will make noise or be a deterrent to the cats. You could even put mouse traps under the plastic that would snap if they go up on your bed . Its worth a try. Maybe even news paper would work.Good Luck.

Answer 5

this happened 2 me when i had 2 do the same, and the reason for this is because your cat is locked up in the one place all the time, all you can do is let your cat out for some air now and then, with you wantching him or her, cause being locked in the one place is not that good, keep the sheet's and everything elce as nice smelling as you can, and fresh little all the time, i hve found that with some cat's , they will use the tray wonce, and then they wont use it again, their r also things you can spray on you bed that will stop cats from useing the bed, but the vet can help you out with this, they do like to leave their mark to let everyone know that its their place, but most of all , your cat does need some fresh air, even if it's only for 5 minutes a day,

Answer 6

Make sure you have two litter boxes first. Get Cat Attract litter from Petsmart or Petco. Put a clear shower curtain over your bed sheets. Also get Comfort Zone with Feliway (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780659&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025622&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1168915959104&itemNo=2&In=Cat&N=2025622&Ne=2) Cats are very sensitive to changes in environment especially if there is stress from dogs and stress on their owners. I hope these suggestions help you! Good luck and keep trying until you find something that works for your kitties and you.

Answer 7

Maybe you should go to a vet and see what is the problem. It could be a bladder problem. I have had a problem like this and it wound up to be a bladder problem so the best thing you can do it go get a appointment for your kitties at the vet. You are right you shouldn't have to get rid of your cats. It could just be a minor problem that your kitty or kitties have.

Answer 8

As long as the smell of their urine is on your bed, they will continue to use it as a bathroom.
You can treat the mattress with an enzymatic cleaner, but I doubt it will remove all traces of the urine smell, meaning your cats will continue to use it as their "spot".
Even when you've done everything else possible, they are going to continue to use your bed because it has their scent on it now. One pee is all it takes...
I would advise replacing your mattress and all your bedding should be washed in hot water with an enzymatic cleaner.
Best Wishes

Answer 9

This is caused by a terminal disease and both should be put down immediately.Or just leave the bedroom door open.I am from the south where we have an abundance of feline specimans and wont tolerate such things as pissing in the bed,I wont let my girlfriend do that much less a cat.Ooh but I love them and cant live without them,thats a crock.If you want I can dispose of them and bring you 2 new ones.Let me know.

Answer 10

they are marking that as there territory use some apple bitter on your bed make it a "no no" area
my cats use to do that on one of the chairs in the dining room with some apple bitter the problem was solved!!

Answer 11

You should try to keep your cats off of your bed, they probably pea there because it is the softest thing in your room, so just block off your bed, and anything else that is soft.