Why Your Maine Coon Is Pooping On Your Bed & And How To Stop It FAST!

A Maine Coon will poop on your bed when they feel stressed, unwell, insecure, or unable to use the litter tray comfortably. Common causes include constipation, diarrhoea, arthritis pain, a litter box that’s too small, dirty litter, separation anxiety, territorial issues, or a negative association with the tray. Fixing it requires a vet check, improving the litter setup, reducing stress, eliminating scent markers with enzyme cleaner, and rebuilding the cat’s confidence.

Why Does My Maine Coon Poop On My Bed?

Discovering that your Maine Coon has pooped on your bed can feel shocking, upsetting, and even personal. Because the bed is your most intimate space, many owners mistakenly believe their cat is acting out of anger or spite. But cats do not think or behave this way.

Pooping on your bed is a form of communication. It means your Maine Coon is signalling distress, discomfort, anxiety, or a problem with their litter environment.

Beds are:

• warm
• Comfortable
• Quiet
• Elevated
• Deeply saturated with your scent

Your scent is the single most comforting thing in your cat’s world. Because of that, Maine Coons instinctively seek the bed when they feel vulnerable – physically or emotionally. This behaviour is a symptom, not a deliberate act.

Below is a complete breakdown of every medical, environmental, and emotional reason this happens.

🔴 1. Medical Causes (Always Investigate These First)

Medical issues can cause pain, urgency, or discomfort during defecation, making the cat avoid the litter tray.

Large breeds like Maine Coons often suffer from gastrointestinal or joint problems that make toileting challenging.

⭐ 1.1 Constipation

Constipation makes defecation painful. When a Maine Coon begins to associate the litter tray with discomfort, they often seek softer, safer-feeling surfaces such as the bed.

Why the bed?

Soft bedding reduces pressure on the abdomen and joints, and the scent of the owner increases feelings of safety during a vulnerable moment.

Signs of constipation:

• Dry, hard stool
• Infrequent bowel movements
• Straining or vocalising
• Stool was deposited right outside the tray

⭐ 1.2 Diarrhoea Or Urgent Bowel Movements

Loose stools often come with urgency. The cat may not reach the tray in time, especially if it is far away or difficult to access.

Beds are often the closest familiar surface.

⭐ 1.3 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD causes unpredictable discomfort. During a flare-up, a Maine Coon may avoid the tray because it is associated with pain or stress.

Symptoms:

• Soft stool with mucus
• Alternating diarrhoea and constipation
• Vomiting
• Chronic weight loss

⭐ 1.4 Arthritis Or Hip Dysplasia Pain

Many Maine Coons develop joint problems due to size and breed genetics.

If stepping into a high-sided tray or holding a squat position is painful, the cat will look for a flat, stable, accessible surface – like your bed.

⭐ 1.5 Anal Gland Issues

Pain from impacted or infected anal glands can cause sudden avoidance behaviours, and the cat may instinctively seek a comfortable location during discomfort.

🩺 Medical Diagnostic Table

🟠 2. Environmental Causes: Litter Tray Problems (Extremely Common)

Because Maine Coons are so large and so clean, any problem with tray size, cleanliness, or placement can trigger bed-pooping behaviour – even if everything else in the home seems normal.

⭐ 2.1 The Litter Tray Is Too Small

This is the #1 non-medical cause of toileting issues in Maine Coons.

A Maine Coon needs a tray large enough for:

• Stretching
• Full-body turning
• Deep digging
• Comfortable posturing

Standard cat trays are not suitable for an 8-12kg cat.

Ideal measurements:

• Length: 30-32 inches
• Width: 18-22 inches
• Side height: 10-12 inches (with a lower entry lip for older cats)

👉 Take a look: Best Litter Trays for Maine Coons

Why small trays cause bed accidents:

If the tray feels cramped, precarious, or uncomfortable, the cat will not use it. Your bed becomes a spacious, stable alternative.

⭐ 2.2 The Tray Is Not Clean Enough

Maine Coons are extremely sanitary. If the tray smells even slightly unpleasant, they will find somewhere else. Beds smell clean and comforting – exactly what a stressed cat seeks.

⭐ 2.3 Wrong Litter Type

Scented or dusty litter causes:

• Sensory overload
• Airway irritation
• Discomfort with large paws

Cats may avoid the tray entirely.

⭐ 2.4 Tray Placement Problems

Cats avoid trays placed:

• Near loud appliances
• In hallways
• Near dogs
• In cold rooms
• In areas with poor visibility

Beds feel safe, predictable, and elevated – the opposite of a poor tray location.

⭐ 2.5 Multi-Cat Conflict

If another cat guards, blocks, or dominates access to the litter box, your Maine Coon may not feel safe using it. The bed becomes a neutral territory that is harder for another cat to control.

Formula for multi-cat homes:

# of cats + 1 = Minimum number of litter trays

🔵 3. Emotional And Behavioural Causes

This is where many bed-soiling cases originate. Maine Coons are highly sensitive, intelligent, and bonded to their owners. Emotional disruption plays a major role.

⭐ 3.1 Stress And Anxiety

A stressed Maine Coon seeks the safest-smelling place – your bed.

Triggers include:

• Arguments or tension in the home
• New furniture or renovations
• Change of routine
• Owner’s absence or long working days
• New animals or visitors
• Boredom due to lack of stimulation

Your scent is calming. Your bed becomes a “safe zone.”

⭐ 3.2 Separation Anxiety

If your cat soils the bed when you’re away or after a long absence, this behaviour is almost certainly tied to separation distress.

A bed saturated with your scent helps your cat feel connected to you.

⭐ 3.3 Territory And Resource Insecurity

If your cat feels their territory is threatened, especially by other cats, they may counter this by placing stool where your scent is strongest.

This blends their scent with yours, creating “shared territory.”

⭐ 3.4 Negative Association With The Litter Tray

Even a single painful or frightening litter box experience can create a lasting avoidance.

Your bed provides:

• Warmth
• Safety
• Vertical security
• Owner scent

If the litter tray feels risky or unpleasant, the bed becomes the clear “better” option in your cat’s mind.

⭐ Behaviour Diagnostic Table

How To Stop Your Maine Coon Pooping On The Bed

Use the following steps in this order. It stops nearly every case.

✔ 1. Vet Check First

Rule out:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• IBD
• Parasites
• Arthritis
• Anal gland problems

Medical issues must always be eliminated before addressing behaviour.

✔ 2. Upgrade To Giant Litter Tray

This single change fixes 40-60% of cases.

Use:

• Under-bed storage boxes
• XXL high-sided trays
• Low entry for older cats

✔ 3. Switch To Comfortable Litter

Use:

• Unscented
• Clumping
• Low-dust
• Soft granules

Stop using:

• Perfume-litter
• Crystal or sharp textures
• Strong cleaning chemicals in the tray

✔ 4. Scoop Twice Daily

Cleanliness is essential for litter box confidence.

✔ 5. Improve Tray Placement

Put trays in:

• Quiet
• Warm
• Stable
• Private
• Low-traffic areas

✔ 6. Add More Litter Trays (If You Have More Than One Cat)

Reduces conflict and insecurity.

✔ 7. Enzyme-Clean The Bed Thoroughly

Standard detergents don’t remove feline scent markers. If your cat can smell even a trace of previous stool, they may reoffend.

✔ 8. Temporarily Close The Bedroom Door

Use this only while fixing underlying problems. This breaks the habit loop.

✔ 9. Reduce Stress And Provide Enrichment

• Regular play
• Climbing structures
• Predictable routine
• More human interaction
• Pheromone diffusers
• Reduce environmental chaos

Maine Coons need a stable emotional landscape to toilet reliably.

✔ 10. Rebuild Positive Association With The Tray

• Keep the tray clean
• Add soft bedding nearby to promote calm
• Allow the cat to explore without pressure
• Offer gentle praise when they use it

Never punish accidents – punishment increases stress and worsens the problem.

⭐ FAQ List

1. Why is my Maine Coon suddenly pooping on my bed?

A sudden change in litter box behaviour is usually caused by stress, anxiety, pain, or a medical issue such as constipation, diarrhoea, or a urinary problem. Maine Coons are highly sensitive to environmental changes, so even minor disruptions, such as new smells, visitors, or routine changes, can trigger bed pooping.

2. Is my Maine Coon pooping on my bed out of spite?

No. Cats do not act out of spite. A Maine Coon pooping on the bed is always communicating distress, illness, fear, insecurity, or discomfort with the litter tray. It is a behavioural signal, not a revenge action.

3. Could this be a medical problem?

Yes. Pooping on soft surfaces is often linked to constipation, colitis, IBS, parasites, anal gland issues, or pain when using the tray. Any sudden behaviour change should be checked by a vet, especially if the stools are hard, bloody, loose, or unusually frequent.

4. Why does my Maine Coon choose my bed specifically?

Your bed smells strongly of you, feels soft, and represents a safe, secure place. Cats often choose the owner’s bed when they feel anxious, overwhelmed, or are seeking comfort. It’s a sign your cat feels unsafe elsewhere.

5. Can litter box problems cause bed pooping?

Yes. A box that is too small, covered, smelly, placed in a noisy area, or shared with other cats can cause avoidance. Maine Coons need large, open trays, low-scent litter, and a quiet, private location.

6. How do I stop my Maine Coon from pooping on my bed?

Start by cleaning the bed thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent markers. Then increase litter tray cleanliness, add a second tray, reduce stress, and address any medical concerns. Never punish your cat; it increases fear and worsens behaviour.

7. Should I add more than one litter box?

Yes. The rule is one litter box per cat + one extra. A second box gives your Maine Coon options and reduces stress, especially in multi-cat homes.

8. Can stress make my Maine Coon poop on my bed?

Absolutely. Stress is one of the top causes. Triggers include new pets, new people, loud noises, moving house, changes in your schedule, or even rearranging furniture. Maine Coons are extremely routine-oriented and can react strongly to household disruption.

9. What if my Maine Coon poops on my bed only at night?

Night-time accidents often point toward anxiety after you go to sleep, separation anxiety, or discomfort navigating the home in the dark. Try adding a night light, keeping doors open, or placing a litter tray closer to your bedroom.

10. Does age affect this behaviour?

Yes. Senior Maine Coons may struggle with arthritis, mobility issues, or cognitive decline, making tall-sided litter trays difficult to enter. Younger cats may poop outside the box due to stress or incomplete litter training.

11. Should I confine my cat to stop the behaviour?

Mild confinement can help only if done humanely, for example, keeping your cat in a small, calm room with a clean box overnight. However, confinement should never replace medical or behavioural investigation.

12. When should I see a vet?

If there is any sudden change, diarrhoea, constipation, blood, pain, repeated accidents, or if the behaviour persists after addressing stress and the litter box, you should book a vet visit immediately.

⭐ Take A Look At These Articles

• Why Is My Maine Coon Pooping Outside the Box?
• Why Does My Maine Coon Pee Everywhere?
• Best Litter Trays for Maine Coons
• How to Stop Maine Coons Tracking Litter Everywhere
• Maine Coon Stress Symptoms
• Maine Coon Health Problems