Stop Cat Peeing On The Dog’s Bed
Cats urinate outside of the litter box if they are feeling threatened, territorial, jealous, or stressed. Unspayed cats may also spray if they are in heat or searching for a mate.
Additionally, some cats pee outside the litter box if the litter boxes are too small, improperly cleaned, or if they do not like the smell of the litter.
When cats begin to spray inappropriately, it can be difficult to curb that behavior, but not impossible. Read on to learn the best ways to stop this unwanted behavior.
8 Causes Of Cat Peeing On Dog Bed
If your cat refuses to pee inside the litter box but has no problem going in your dog’s bed, here are some of the possible reasons why your cat is experiencing litter box difficulties.
1. Medical Issues
If you have noticed your cat using inappropriate places to urinate, it could be suffering from an underlying medical condition like this.
Many conditions make cats feel enough discomfort or pain that they are unable to use the litter box properly.
Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney diseases, cancer, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism are some of the potential medical concerns that can lead to peeing outside of the litter box.
If you have noticed your cat has become lethargic or less responsive in addition to peeing on the dog bed, you may want to visit the vet.
More concerning symptoms such as eating litter, vomiting, or refusing to eat or drink are all signs that your cat should go to the vet or emergency room as soon as possible.
2. Stress, Anxiety, Frustration
Your cat’s emotional well-being can have a huge impact on its litter box habits.
Unfixed cat urine contains lots of scents that can communicate emotions and needs to other cats.
When a cat is feeling stressed or threatened, it might spray to tell other cats to back off.
Another reason cats tend to pee when they are anxious or stressed is because their stress hormones interfere with the function of their kidneys.
Their stress hormones dilute the cat’s urine, adding more liquid and increasing the stressed cat’s frequency of urination, leading to more accidents.
These are the main Signs A Maine Coon Is Stressed.
3. Litter Box Issues
Have you recently moved the location of your cat’s litter box, or changed the type of litter you are using?
Cats can be very sensitive to their litter boxes and may refuse to use them if they do not like the smell or texture of the litter.
If you have a big cat like a Maine Coon, make sure your litter box is not too small. These are my favorite Extra-Large Maine Coon Litter Boxes.
For households with multiple cats, make sure you have an adequate number of litter boxes in your house. The general rule is to have one litter box per cat in the household.
Finally, make sure you are cleaning your cat’s litter boxes regularly because some cats are more sensitive to odor than others and may urinate outside of the litter box if it is too smelly.
4. Territory
If you have recently gotten a new pet, moved to a new location, or welcomed a new roommate, your cat might be peeing on the dog bed as a way to mark its territory.
Even though cats can make close friends with other cats or even dogs, they also need adequate space and privacy.
Cats can easily become stressed due to sudden changes, and they can become especially territorial if they feel as though some other person or animal is invading their space.
Some cats urinate territorially even when there are no other pets in the household. For instance, if your cat sees other cats or wild animals outside the window, it may perceive them as a threat and spray as a result.
5. Association With Litterbox
Unfortunately, even one accident in a location outside of the litter box can be enough for a cat to change its habits, especially during kittenhood.
If your cat pees outside of the litter box because it needs to be cleaned, your cat may still be able to smell its pee, even if you clean it thoroughly.
As a result, your cat will continue to pee in the same spot because it associates it as a place similar to its litter box.
6. Jealousy
Believe it or not, humans are not the only creatures that can experience jealousy!
Cats develop incredibly strong bonds with their owners and become emotional and distressed when something interferes with them.
If you have recently welcomed a new puppy, cat, or even a human baby, your cat may feel as though it is no longer loved or needed. Your cat may start urinating outside of the litter box because it feels overwhelmed and stressed.
Your Maine Coon may also feel insecure in its litter boxes and begin to pee in areas that feel more familiar or secure.
These are the most Common Causes Of Maine Coon Jealousy.
7. In Heat
Cats that have not yet been spayed or neutered are significantly more likely to urinate inappropriately. This is the Best Age To Neuter A Maine Coon.
Unfixed cats have stronger-smelling urine, which communicates signals like stress to nearby cats. Many cats also spray to attract mates.
It is important to get your cat spayed or neutered at a young age because if your cat begins spraying before it is fixed, it can be hard to reverse this behavior.
If you noticed your neutered male cat peeing on a dog bed, it could be caused by a late neuter date.
Here are 5 Signs Your Maine Coon Is In Heat.
8. Cat Likes Something About The Dog Bed
A cat might be peeing on a dog’s bed due to comfort. Some cats choose unusual spots to pee because they like that location better.
It is common for cats to pee in their owner’s beds, as well, since they tend to feel safer and more secure there.
If your cat has a close relationship with your pet dog, it might associate the dog bed as a place of safety (source 1,2,3).
How To Stop Cat From Peeing On Dog Bed
If you are tired of cleaning cat pee out of unusual spots, then here is a list of how to stop a cat from peeing on a dog bed.
Change The Litter Boxes
If your cat is regularly peeing outside of the litter box, it may be time to change your litter boxes or litter. You might also need to buy an extra litter box.
Some litter boxes come with filters that absorb odors and need to be changed every so often, to keep them smelling fresh. It’s also important to completely change the litter regularly.
If your cat is especially large, you may want to get larger litter boxes.
Furthermore, you may want to experiment with different kinds of litters. Some cats are sensitive to the smell or texture of certain litters, and some litters absorb odors better than others.
Move The Dog Bed
If your cat is regularly peeing on the dog bed, you should swap its location with a litter box. That way, the next time your cat goes to the dog bed to pee, it will have a fresh litter box to enter, instead.
You may need to swap the dog bed for the litter box several times until your cat changes its behavior.
Since cats are creatures of habit, even an accident outside of the litter box can turn into a new routine.
As a cat owner, the best thing you can do is provide consistency and a routine of your own until your cat follows along.
Give Your Cat Space
If you have moved to a new house, or if you think your cat is feeling cramped or territorial from other household members, create a space that only your cat can access, such as a comfy bed on top of the fridge.
Even the most friendly cats need privacy from time to time, and if your cat can reliably find a space away from prying eyes it will likely feel more relaxed.
Prepare A Schedule
If you suspect your cat is wrestling with jealousy or anxiety, you should create a routine that incorporates one-on-one time with your cat. That way, your cat can anticipate its feeding schedule, playtime, and cuddle time!
Cats are also prone to becoming stressed due to major or minor changes, so having a schedule in place will keep your cat feeling more stable and grounded (source 1,2).
Conclusion
If a cat peeing on the dog bed has become such a problem that it refuses to use the litter box, your cat may be dealing with stress, jealousy, or even an underlying medical condition.
In many cases, simply moving the location of your cat’s litter box, changing the litter, or getting a second or larger litter box will encourage your cat to stop peeing on the dog bed.
You may need to move the dog bed or create a private space for your cat to retreat to if your cat’s accidents are due to an underlying behavioral problem.
If your cat continues to pee outside the litter box, you should go to the vet to rule out conditions like cancer or kidney disease.
