If your cat pees on the bed, understand that it's her way of sending you a text message saying something is wrong. She might be sick or stressed, or maybe she dislikes her litter box. With some clever steps, patience and persistence, you can correct your pet companion's behavior.
Step 1
Bring your cat to a veterinarian to make sure it's not a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney failure, causing the inappropriate urination.
Step 2
Clean the urine on your bed thoroughly, because if your cat can still smell it, she might pee in the same spot again. Blot the stain with paper towels to remove as much moisture as you can. Wash the bedding with laundry detergent and 1 pound of baking soda. Let it air-dry and if you still smell the urine, wash it again, but this time add an enzymatic cleanser to get rid of the odor.
Step 3
Correct your cat when you catch her in the act. Arm yourself with a can of coins and when your feline friend jumps on the bed to urinate or when you catch her midstream, shake the can of coins to startle her off the bed. Do this each time you catch her and eventually she'll associate the unpleasant noise with her urinating on the bed. She'll stop going on the bed just to avoid the noise.
Step 4
Change the litter and litter box that you're using, because your cat might not like the current ones and decide to pee on the bed instead. Try clay, pine or clumping litter and covered and non-covered litter boxes to find out which one your pet companion likes. Also, keep your cat's litter box clean, because otherwise she might refuse to use it. Scoop out soiled litter and feces at least once a day and wash the litter box with unscented soap and warm water once a week.
Step 5
Place the litter box in a quiet area of the house, away from your cat's feeding area. Avoid dark, noisy and busy areas of the house. If you have a multistory house, place a litter box on each floor so your cat doesn't have to travel far to go potty and is less likely to pee elsewhere.
Step 6
Spread a flannel-backed, vinyl tablecloth over the bed. Your cat dislikes the texture of the tablecloth and will think twice before jumping on the bed. Alternatively, place an upside-down carpet runner on the bed.
References
Tips
- For an easy solution, close the bedroom door so your finicky feline can't get on the bed.
- Have your cat spayed or neutered, because this minimizes the urge to spray and mark.
Warnings
- Avoid yelling at your cat if you come home to find a wet spot on the bed. She won't understand what you're fussing about and she might end up fearing you.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in 1997. Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites. Caines holds a degree in journalism from Mercurius College in Holland and is writing her first novel.