Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here for Dragon Serpents

My rmts cat won't stop peeing in my bed!

SAYNAT78 Oct 27, 2006 02:56 PM

My roommate moved in a couple of months ago and her cat has peed in my bed 3 times. I think it's personal. The cat has been scratching my leather couches and has gotten in trouble by her owner for it and by me. We keep the door shut to my room because I am allergic, but one time it was left open and I found the cat in my room, but thought nothing of it. Later when I went into my room I noticed pee and poop on my bed. We figured it was an accident because my roommate had just gotten a new litter box and it had a door on it, which was new for the cats. We thought maybe the cat couldn't figure it out and when she had the opportunity she snuck down to my room and peed. But the the other two times are no accident. If the door to my room doesn't get closed all the way she will pry it open with her paws and go pee in my bed. I have caught her doing it. This is not an incontinence issue because the cat doesn't pee anywhere else, but the litterbox and in my bed!

What's the problem? How can I fix this problem? Why is the cat doing this? Someone please help.

Replies (5)

gocatgo Oct 28, 2006 01:13 AM

I have no idea why the cat is peeing on your bed but do understand how annoying it is since I took in a stray a few years ago who liked to pee on mine. Has your roomate's kitty been to the vet to rule out a urinary tract infection which will cause the kitty to pee in inappropriate places? That would be the first place to start.

I do have a few suggestions for you. First of all cover your mattress with a rubber/plastic pad because it's impossible to clean the mattress. Second, adding vinegar to the wash water will help to take the cat pee odor out of your bedding. Third, I threw a large plastic tablecloth over my bed before I left for work in the morning and she soon lost interest in peeing on it. I finally ended up finding a home for the cat but that's another story.

If she still pees on it after covering it, you might want to try something like a 'scat mat'. It gives a sort of 'static shock' that will definitely discourage her from jumping on your bed. Hope this helps.
Link: SCAT MAT

-----
Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

cyclopsgrl Oct 28, 2006 01:34 AM

First of all cover your mattress with a rubber/plastic pad because it's impossible to clean the mattress.

====

In case you haven't bought one in a while, wanted to advise they are much better in the past couple years. You can now get the mattress pads for fairly inexpensive that are cloth-like on one side and plastic on the other -- so to the feel they aren't all crinkly. They feel more like cloth than plastic and don't make sounds... We purchased one for my niece (toddler) not too long ago. I know QVC sells them and I've seen them in stores that sell bedding. Don't automatically grab the old-fashioned sheet of plastic/rubber ones they have sold for years. Look around. You won't even know it is on your bed.

I'd try Ruby's table cloth idea before my astro turf mat idea as her's is easier to do. If her's doesn't work, go to the astro turf and then more expensive like scatmat...
-----
Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

cyclopsgrl Oct 28, 2006 01:16 AM

You'll have to be diligent about closing your door, that is the only sure fire way to stop it.

I do have a strange thought/recommendation. Pick up some astro-turf mats from Walmart or somewhere (cheap fake grass welcome mats) and lay them across your bed after you make it. Should only take a few seconds to do so. Make it a new "bedspread". Still close your door, but the cat will not like the feel of it and will probably stay off your bed if you accidently have your door open. Hopefully after a while, she will avoid your bed altogether and you don't have to do this for long. It may take a few times, tho.
-----
Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

PHMadameAlto Oct 28, 2006 07:10 AM

It does sound like this is largely a behavioral problem - but the cat should be checked by a vet to be sure there are no underlying medical causes.

Often cats will pee/poop on such things as bed or clothing because these objects have a strong smell, and they are trying to show that they "own" the territory and not you. The advice you have been given is excellent - you can also use plastic carpet runners turned upside down over your bed for a bit - cats hate those little "hook" thingies on their paws. The most important thing to do is to create as much discomfort as possible, but not to do anything that would connect you to the discomfort - such as you yelling or screaming or hitting the cat.

There is a product called Cat Attract Litter that may help your roomate re-train the cat to the box. Also there are medications vets can prescribe that can help ease the anxiety that causes marking.

Good luck!

>>You'll have to be diligent about closing your door, that is the only sure fire way to stop it.
>>
>>I do have a strange thought/recommendation. Pick up some astro-turf mats from Walmart or somewhere (cheap fake grass welcome mats) and lay them across your bed after you make it. Should only take a few seconds to do so. Make it a new "bedspread". Still close your door, but the cat will not like the feel of it and will probably stay off your bed if you accidently have your door open. Hopefully after a while, she will avoid your bed altogether and you don't have to do this for long. It may take a few times, tho.
>>-----
>>Tammy
>> Stanley and Pookey
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

gocatgo Oct 28, 2006 10:30 AM

All of the above are good ideas. I tend to agree with Cyclops and MA on the bed covering, astro turf or the carpet runner would be just as effective as the Scat Mat and a lot less expensive. I don't know the price on astro turf but do know that you can pick up a carpet runner at KMart for less than $10 and place it on the bed upside down with the little nubs sticking up. It's for sure that they don't like walking on those nubs. A time or two of jumping on your bed with the nubs poking her little feet will probably keep her off of your bed for a lifetime. You might have to put it back on a time or two as a reminder though.

And yes, the Cat Attract cat litter is another good thing. It contains a herb that seems to 'attract' cats to the litter box to do their job. It's not easy to find though but I did locate it at PetSmart for about $12.00 a bag. Your roommate might want to try something like that.

Hope some of these suggestions will help. Good luck to you.
-----
Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

Site Tools