Why is my cat peeing on my bed? How to Reduce Your Cat's Stress?
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Cats are the cleanest animals in the world. But what if your cat suddenly starts urinating on your bed and no longer uses its litter box? Why is my cat peeing on my bed, and how can I kick this nasty habit? Discover the causes of cat uncleanliness. Then, learn how to help in this situation and protect your bed from your cat's urine.
Any cat owner who has experienced this knows that cat urine smells terrible. Of course, there are special detergents that will make your mattress clean and odorless. But most of the time, this is not an isolated case. What if the cat consistently refuses to use the litter box and continues to sneak into your room to relieve itself? Constantly keeping your bedroom door closed cannot be a permanent solution especially since your cat will probably be looking for another cozy corner where he can relieve himself. To get the problem under control, you must first know the causes of your cat's behavior.
Why is my cat peeing on my bed?
So if you ask why is my cat peeing on my bed, there is often more behind the uncleanliness of the cat than a simple bad habit. Sometimes your cat suddenly uses your bed as a litter box. It is then often a serious sign of stress, insecurity, or physical illness.
In this situation, the cat deliberately chooses its master's bed to urinate there. It may seem surprising initially, but there is a good reason for it. Indeed, for him, the bed is an ideal replacement bedding. Not only is it absorbent and soft, but it's also a safe place to defecate. There he smells the reassuring scent of his master, giving him a sense of security and safety. And the bed is raised and not on the ground like its litter box, giving it an even more incredible feeling of security. But why does the cat suddenly feel uncomfortable in his litter box? Why does he seek more protection in your bed?
Is the uncleanliness of the cat due to an illness?
Before searching for possible psychological causes of uncleanliness, check with your veterinarian if your cat is in good physical health. In some cases, uncleanliness can be attributed to an illness, for example, bladder or kidney problems. The constant need to urinate adds to the insecurity the cat feels due to the intense pain that causes it to retreat to your bed. He feels safe there, and the comfortable mattress gives him the feeling of being able to let go.
The veterinarian will examine your cat thoroughly and determine if it is a disease. Also, have your cat's blood and urine analyzed by the doctor. This is the only way to be sure that your cat has no deficiencies. If the examination reveals that your cat is sick, treating the illness may resolve the uncleanliness issue. With antibiotics, other medications, or a change in diet, the pain your cat feels while urinating will go away. He will eventually get used to his litter box. The litter = pain link that your cat used to make will gradually disappear.
When cat stress and anxiety lead to uncleanliness
If your cat turns out to be in good physical health, there are probably psychological reasons behind the "attacks" on your bed. Don't worry, it's not always a deep psychological trauma. They can also be due to small things. Cats are routine and very sensitive animals. Even the smallest changes in their daily life, routine, or environment can stress them out. Therefore, he will seek protection in your bed. This may explain why your cat urinates on your bed.
A renovated and remodeled bedroom, a new piece of furniture, the disappearance of the old sofa, a new foreign carpet, or an unusual event, such as a fireworks display on New Year's Eve, can irritate and frighten your cat. Sometimes even a freshly washed blanket that doesn't smell like it used to or a scented candle for Christmas is enough to throw him off balance. And, of course, there are more extensive, almost unavoidable events that stress your cat. Among them is a move to a new home, the departure of a family member, the birth of a baby, or the moving in of a new pet.
Also, changes in your behavior can unsettle your cat. For example, have you had less time for your cat lately? Do you have a new job or a new partner? Sometimes boredom or frequent loneliness leads to psychological overstrain of the cat.
The Best Products for Cats
Give your cat a sense of security, so they don't urinate on your bed
To get your cat to use the litter box instead of your bed again, think of a way to relieve her stress and restore her sense of security. It can be solved easily if hie's a new detergent or an unusual-smelling scented candle. But what about when the new situation cannot be changed? In this case, you need to help your cat get used to the situation. New environment, animal, partner, or a new configuration of the room, changes in working hours. Be patient with your cat, and don't expect her behavior to correct itself overnight.
How to Reduce Your Cat's Stress
If you have found the cause of your cat's change in behavior, you can help him get used to the new circumstances. During this time, give your cat lots of love and attention. In any case, it would be counterproductive to reprimand her for urinating on your bed.
"Bedwetting" is almost always linked to feelings of insecurity, whether your cat is suffering from psychological stress or a physical illness. It's important to look stern, act disgusted and get out of the room. However, if you scold him later and not at the time, your cat will no longer connect the scolding with the time he urinated on the bed.
Bach flowers and pheromones
To enhance your cat's sense of security, scent diffusers for the main socket can also help. These are synthesized pheromones, that is to say, the synthetic version of odorous substances specific to the organism of cats that promote their well-being. For example, the mother cat pheromone, which the mother gives to her kittens when nursing them, sends the unconscious message that all is well and that the cat is allowed to relax. In particularly stressful times, such as a move or a home renovation, Bach flowers can also help. It is a herbal tranquilizer that naturally relieves your cat's restlessness. To be on the safe side, always consult your veterinarian before giving it to your cat.
Protect your bed from cat urine
Creating an atmosphere of well-being and patiently waiting for your cat to relax and return to its litter box will help you solve the bedwetting problem in the medium and long term. You can take additional measures to protect your bed from unpleasant cat urine in the short term. In addition to a waterproof pad, which you can easily wash in the washing machine, you can cover your bed with an emergency blanket, plastic tablecloth, or newspaper during the day. Cats like softness and comfort. If your bed is covered with something hard or noisy, they will quickly seek another quiet place.
Another option is to move your cat's food bowl to your bedroom near your bed. Cats generally don't like to relieve themselves where they eat. To be completely quiet, you can even put the bowl directly on your bed. But then you will need to protect it from food crumbs.
Cat uncleanliness sometimes comes from the litter box
But sometimes, neither physical illness nor psychological stress seems to be the cause of your cat's uncleanliness. There could be a third possibility: the litter box itself. If your cat rejects her litter box immediately, she just doesn't like it. For example, some cats may not like closed litter boxes. Even the litter box itself could be a problem. Have you changed it recently? What type of litter do you use? Maybe try another variety.
Also, a heavily scented cleaner used for your pet's toilet can cause your cat to reject its litter box. Likewise, if the litter box is cleaned too infrequently or if it is located in an inauspicious location, this can also cause your cat to refuse its litter box.
Should I see a cat psychologist?
Sometimes it takes a little intuition to find the source of a cat's uncleanliness. We easily overlook small changes that mean little to us. But for the cat, it could be a trigger that suddenly leads him to urinate in your bed. Try to understand your cat, and pay close attention to the signals you send it. He needs you during this time, and probably appreciates the extra attention. Do your best to relax your cat and avoid anything that could make him more stressed.
However, if your cat continues to use your bed as a litter box and you can't fix the problem, consult an expert. There are cat psychologists who can help you and your cat in this tricky situation.
Stress in cats
Nowadays, stress has become a recognized problem in modern life humans. For example, in the cat, changes in the environment, in the daily routine, strange smells, strident noises, soiled litter, the absence of certain family members or the arrival of a child, or the arrival of new animals is all sources of stress.
Stress corresponds to the psychological and bodily changes occurring in an animal in the face of potential aggression. For example, his heart will beat faster, his pupils will dilate, and his hair will stand on end.
In a stray cat, this can save his life. An apartment cat won't always be able to get away if they want or need to. For example, when a person adopts a new feline, it can find it hard to escape from their new home if they don't get along at first. If they can't avoid a source of stress, cats will become anxious, which can cause some health or behavioral issues.
Manifestations of stress
Cats express stress differently depending on their personality. For example, in an outgoing cat can suddenly becomes nervous. It is pretty easy to assume something is stressing him. On the other hand, anxiety in a shy cat who remains motionless for long periods.
When cats are stressed, they might start behaving more erratically and manifest as new behaviors. You may see changes such as avoiding the litter box, licking excessively or scratching themselves excessively. They might also start meowing a lot more, become aggressive towards strangers or other pets in the house, lose their appetite- but it can change to an unusually high appetite instead.
Stress in Cats: What Causes Strain and How to Deal With it
Stress can affect animals, including cats. Stress can be caused by external factors, such as a difficult situation at work, and internal factors, such as an illness.
Cats are often presented as the epitome of tranquility in comparison to their more excitable canine counterparts. As they are naturally solitary creatures and are not social animals that live in packs like dogs do, they do not have to contend with the stress of competition for food and mates that dogs have to deal with. Cats also don't have the same need for protection that dogs do so they don't experience the same level of anxiety when left alone for long periods. However, there are still some ways in which cats can experience stress.
What are the Signs Cats Show When they are Under Stress?
A stressed cat will often show one or more of the following signs:
- They may become unresponsive and stop playing or interacting with others.
- They might start licking themselves excessively.
- They might stop using their litter box, both for urination and defecation.
- They might start scratching furniture, carpets, etc.
- Their appetite may change and they may not be eating as much as usual or they may not be eating at all.
- They might stop grooming themselves regularly.
Top 3 Most Common Causes of Cat Stress That Can Be Prevented Easily
Cat owners should be aware of the most common causes of cat stress and what they can do to prevent it.
The three most common causes of cat stress are:
-Lack of attention from their owner
-Lack of playtime with their owner
-Moving to a new home or living environment
It is important for an owner to take care of these three things in order to help their cat feel less stressed.
How You Can Help Your Cat Deal with Stress By Using These 6 Easy Tricks
There are a lot of ways to help your cat deal with stress. Some people give their cats a toy mouse or a laser pointer to play with, while others use petting and talking to their cats.
- Create a safe, enclosed space in your home
- Create a safe and comfortable place for the cat to sleep
- Keep the cat's environment tidy and free from clutter
- Provide the cat with interactive toys and scratching posts
- Provide plenty of fresh water
- Practice good grooming habits
How To Keep Your Cat Calm When You're Not Home
Cats are very territorial, and they need their space. As a result, they can be quite anxious when they have left home alone, and they might start to display some undesirable behaviors. This is why it is important to provide them with a calming aid that will make them feel safe and less anxious.
Some people might think that the best way to keep your cat calm when you're not home is by providing your cat with a feline calming aid like a warm bath, but it is better to provide your cat with a calm down kitty toy or app. This will make them feel less anxious and more secure because they have something to hold on to while you're not there.
We hope this article was enough to answer your question why is my cat peeing on my bed? We wish you and your cat the best!
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