Why Is My Cat Peeing on My Kid's Bed?

When an animal carries out an inappropriate behavior, we first need to find out whether this has happened all of a sudden. Sometimes behaviors have been acquired over time. If a cat does not know it is inappropriate to pee on your kid's bed, then they have no reason not to do it there. If the cat does know to use the litter box, but then suddenly stops doing so, it means there is a change in their routine, environment or physical health.

Trying to eliminate a behavior without knowing its cause can be ineffectual or counterproductive. The following are the main reasons why a cat keeps peeing on your kid's bed:

• Stress: cats are sensitive animals that are particularly attuned to changes in their routine or their environment. Changes such as moving home, the arrival of a new family member or even changing their kibble brand can make them feel insecure and develop stress symptoms as a result. Urinating inappropriately is a common symptom, but they will usually choose to do it somewhere with a familiar smell in which they feel safe and protected. If they have a close relationship, peeing on their bed means they do it somewhere which makes them feel more secure and might reduce their feelings of stress.
• Dirty or unsuitable litter box: cats are also hygienic animals. They need to maintain cleanliness to protect themselves from disease, parasites and other threats to their health. A cat may refuse to use their litter box if it is cleaned with insufficient regularity or thoroughness. Since we will clean our child's bedsheets if they have been soiled, they may pee on your kid's bed because they know they will have somewhere clean to relieve themselves. Another issue may be that you have recently changed the type of litter or even the litter box itself. Cats are quite particular, so if you use a litter they do not like or the litter box is not the right size, they may pee outside as a form of protest.
• Marking behavior: as territorial animals, cats tend to mark their territory with urine. This is especially so when other animals are present in or near the home. This behavior is more common in males, but not exclusive to them. Heat or the detection of sexual pheromones are also stimuli that encourage marking, which is usually done by spraying urine on vertical surfaces, such as the legs of the bed. If other cats or animals in the home frequent your child's bed, the cat may be marking the territory for themselves. If the child is a recent addition to the home, it is also possible they pee on the bed to protest their presence. They may feel insecure, especially if we are paying less attention to the cat and more to the child.
• Urinary tract pathology: cats are relatively prone to urinary tract disease. This is especially so in older animals or those that drink insufficient amounts of water. Urinary tract infections can cause significant pain and the cat will relieve themselves wherever they are, even if this is on your kid's bed. Since this may represent a safe space for them, it can also make them feel reassured to do it there. It also may be a way of notifying the person to whom they are closest that they have a problem which needs addressed.

To take a look at one of the causes of UTIs in cats, take a look at our article on why a cat has crystals in their urine.

We have shared the most common reasons a cat urinates on a child's bed. We need to look at their individual situation closely to better understand why they are urinating inappropriately. There may be specific motivations, but they should all be related to one of the issues raised above. For this reason, we need to do the following if a cat is urinating on our kid's bed, as well as anywhere else inappropriate in the home:

1. Reduce stress: since cat's are so sensitive, we need to ensure we provide a strict routine and minimize stressors in their environment. While certain changes in the home need to be made, we need to reduce the potential effects on a cat. Provide reassurance, ensure their routine, provide environmental enrichment, play with them, be affectionate, do not force interaction and generally provide them with a positive environment.
2. Contact a professional: some cats may be more easily stressed than others. If the cat has been poorly socialized, they have experienced trauma or have otherwise been neglected, we may not be able to address their problems. A qualified feline ethologist or cat trainer can provide a professional assessment and introduce behavioral modifications adapted to their specific needs.
3. Visit the vet: to rule out potential health problems leading to a cat peeing on your kid's bed, a veterinary checkup is mandatory. As we have stated, urinary tract infections and similar issues can lead to feline incontinence. The vet can test for infections, performing imaging tests to diagnose growths and generally diagnose the cause if the problem is physiological. If we see other concurrent signs in the cat such as pain, lethargy, appetite loss or others, it is clearly a sign of a physiological problem.
4. Consider neutering: spaying and castration are forms of neutering, i.e. permanent sterilization. If this is done before the cat reaches maturity, they will likely reduce unwanted behaviors such as marking with urine on bedsheets. It is recommended by veterinarians for all cats and is even legally required in some countries. Not only does neutering prevent unwanted behaviors, but it is also vital in preventing very serious health issues in both male and female cats.

Discover the benefits of neutering a cat in our related guide, as well as its cost and other considerations.

The best way to get your cat to stop urinating on your kid's bed once and for all is to treat the cause of the behavior once it has been discovered. If the reason is physiological, the veterinarian will prescribe a pharmacological treatment for the animal. If the cause is related to environment or an emotional disorder, an ethologist will provide you with guidelines to improve your feline's quality of life.

These treatments can take a long time too implement and take effect. This means it is very likely the problematic behavior will not be solved overnight, but will gradually decrease as the animal improves. For this reason, we share some practical advice on how to stop a cat peeing outside the litter box while they receive the appropriate treatment for their underlying problem. In this way, you can best prevent your cat peeing on your kid's bed:

• Restrict access: do not let the cat into to your child's room whenever they are unsupervised. You can leave the door closed when no one is home or put up a safety guard such as netting.
• Move litter box: place the cat's litter box in a quiet area (avoid hallways and passageways) and away from the food bowl.
• Change litter box: ensure the litter box is big enough for the cat and that they have sufficient room to move around. If you have more than one cat in the home, it is best to have multiple litter boxes. A good rule of thumb is to have one for each cat, plus one extra to share. Learn more with our article on cats sharing litter boxes.
• Clean the litter box: clean the litter box frequently. You can leave some urine residue so your pet knows to use it to pee. If this urine smells very strong, it is better to remove it.
• Feline pheromones: artificial pheromones for cats can be used to make your cat calmer at home. These substances help create a safe and relaxed environment for your cat, so they are beneficial in case of stress.

Having seen the causes that may explain why your cat pees on your kid's bed and what to do about it, we insist on the importance of a veterinary visit. You can also use our video below to learn more:

If you want to read similar articles to Why Is My Cat Peeing on My Kid's Bed?, we recommend you visit our Behavioral problems category.