Cat urinating on my bed

[MikeAW2010]

I've been struggling with this particular cat for a long time but he has developed a behavior where he does not like urinating in the litter box.

Initially it started out with him being in my living room and dining room area with the rest of his litter and he refused to go in the box leaving pools of urine on the kitchen floor every time he went. So I took him to the vet and had him tested for UTI's and had his bladder X-Rayed but nothing turned up. He continued to do it and I ended up moving him to my bedroom as I suspected it might be because the other cats.

He did alittle bit better in my bedroom but I started smelling a stench of cat urine and I couldn't find it with a black flash light until one night I was awakened to the sound of him clawing on my mattress, and I found him peeing on the side of the mattress close to the wall so it sprayed down the lower section of the headboard and down the side of the mattress where it hits a wooden plank.

He most likely has been doing it for awhile so despite my cleaning I can still smell it.

The litter boxes are clean and he has two to choose from. One open, one enclosed, but he prefers my mattress.

I don't know what to do.

I love him and he's really cute and playful but I can't have him peeing on my furniture.

I was half tempting the idea of transitioning him to an outdoor cat but we also have coyotes and he can easily get outside of my backyard too.

 

[Kflowers]

for now you can cover your mattress with shower curtains, be sure they overlap well, fitted sheet on top of that. Then you'll need to use another large shower curtain over your covers. If he's doing this while you're asleep, yep, shower curtain on top.

My cat didn't like moving into an apartment house with a communal hall. She got the bed every night until we moved. The key was she felt threatened by the sound of strangers in her hall. The concept of an apartment was beyond her.

another cat -- the neighbor's neutered boy cat sprayed the outside of our front and back door and under a couple of windows every day. Considering this a serious threat our cat sprayed the inside of the front and back doors and under the windows every day. (if you have a heating vent that he's getting cover it with a steel cookie sheet and put weight on that. Cat pee can eat through heating ducts.)

You'll need a black light to check around the outside of your house for stranger cat pee. You'll want to clean it off with enzyme cleaners. Others will come and post about the best ones to get. Do the same inside. Do the same for your mattress and sheets and blankets.

Patience and determination will get the two of your through. Keep in mind since your cat isn't ill, he's doing this since he feels threatened.

You can also buy little things that pfffft air when a cat walks in front of them. You could put them by the spots the stranger favors. You might find Jackson Galaxy's videos helpful.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I agree with the above about this possibly being a reaction to him feeling threatened. But, of what – your other cats or ones outside? Do some research to eliminate it being from outside cats/wildlife.

So, what’s up with him and your other cats? More information about this aspect may be helpful.

In the meantime, see if he will pee in a litter box lined with pee pads instead of litter. If need be, give him one with litter for pooping – assuming he does OK on that arena, and another lined with pee pads for peeing. Covering your bed with a plastic tarp, as mentioned above – along with the new litter box option – might help deter him from using the bed.

I have included some links below for cleaning options and territorial issues, which are usually behind feeling threatened. But, I know some members have used Fizzion for hard surfaces including wood, so that might be something to try to get the odor out of the headboard and wood planks. You may have to find a way to block How To Remove Cat Urine [Step By Step Guide] - TheCatSite his access from the headboard area as well.
Spraying - When Your Cat Uses Urine To Mark Territory - TheCatSite

 

[cataholic07]

Is he an anxious cat? If he is he won't generally feel safe using the litter box. How many cats do you have? How many litter boxes? Are they all in one location? How many cat trees and scratching posts?

 

[Alldara]

More information is needed to help you for sure! And yes, it sounds dangerous to have him outside. Outdoor cats usually only have a couple years of lifespan.

How many pets do you have? Are they all spayed/neutered?

How are his relationships with the other cats?

 

[Alldara]

In thr meantime, here are some resources:
Cat Behavior Problems - House Soiling | VCA Animal Hospitals

Signs and steps for cat anxiety | Banfield Pet Hospital®


Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling

Soiling indoors | International Cat Care

 

[ClumsyBear]

If he's neutered and there's no health issues, it could be anxiety.

I'd bring a litter box near problematic areas.
Make sure to clean with products for cat urine specifically otherwise he'll still smell it and will continue going there.
You can try spraying Feliway. I've started spraying it in spots he goes around times I know might trigger bad peeing behavior. For ex, I go out with my friends and will be home late, my cat will get anxious being home alone for many hours, so I spray the couch before going.
Feliway has been working really well for us and they advertize that their product lowers peeing outside the litter box.

I do only have one cat so this might not work if he's anxious about that.