one of my cats is urinating on my bed

[MissMillie]

:mad:

I don't know which one it is. (3 cats)

I don't have a washing machine big enough to wash my blankets and bedspread, so for the 2nd time in 4 days, I have to spend the evening at the laundromat.

I have a waterproof matress pad, so my matress is protected, but this is beginning to be a huge pain in the butt.

I have soaked everything in the odor/stain remover (http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_Nav_209_sku_30643_R_355_enemerch_1.aspx?cm_re=209-_-TopSellers0-_-30643#details ) before washing it.

Short of keeping them out of my room (I actually like having them on the bed w/ me when I sleep) what else can I do? Do I need to buy all new bedding? Should I hose down the whole area w/ Feliway?

[lizziegrace]

1. Are they doing this during the night

or while you're gone during the day? If so, I'd keep them out of your room when you're not home. Have you considered a shower curtain or similar to cover the blankets and all?

[zanne]

2. A shower curtain!

Sorry to interrupt, but what a great idea! Thanks!

[MissMillie]

4. I envision the cats just crawling underneath of it

:shrug:

[hedgehog]

6. I'd go with the shower curtain.

I doubt they'd crawl under it just to pee on the bed!

How many liter boxes do you have and how clean are they?

[MissMillie]

7. 2 litterboxes

for 3 cats

The boxes are scooped every other day (they're never very full when I scoop).

[hedgehog]

9. Some cats are very picky, and some are just plain strange.

We had one cat who just wouldn't use a litter box even though we had about 10 scattered around the house and basement. We used assorted litters and even empty pans. The vet couldn't find anything wrong with her. The only thing I could figure out is that the litter bothered her because of her long hair. She spent the last year of her life hiding out on top of a cupboard underneath the basement steps. She was a strange one.

[MissMillie]

3. not while I'm in bed

it's either while I'm at work or when I'm in another room.

If I let them sleep w/ me, it can be hard to get them out of the room in the morning (they hide under the bed and dresser...)

[realisticphish]

5. from the thread title

i had this image of them pissing while you glare at them from the computer, typing away.

I have absolutely no idea what you should do. Since they have free access to the bed, I don't know what you can do to keep them away. Maybe give them little diapers.

[huskerlaw]

8. First step...figure out which cat it is

A friend of mine had this issue right after she moved into her new house. 3 cats, one peeing on the bed. She took turns allowing them access to her room when she wasn't home. Sequester 2, let one roam. Switch cats the next day, etc.

Once she figured out who was doing it, she and the vet decided it was likely an anxiety thing, since the cat had been fine before the move. They put kitty on anti-depressants (kitty prozac!), the peeing stopped. They've recently weened the cat off the meds and there has been no more peeing. The whole process took about a year, unfortunately.

Good luck!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. You need to find out who and WHY...

It could be medical or behavioral -- you need to solve the problem, not treat the symptoms.

Is one of them dealing with a urinary tract issue? When my cat Junior pees in the bathtub, I know he is telling me he has a UTI.

Is one of them upset at you? Has something changed in the houshold? My cat Grrlie gets very jealous and upset if someone who is not me sleeps in the house -- she will pee right in the middle of their bed to let them know who's boss.

To me, peeing on a bed is a very person thing, so when a cat does it, they are trying to make a statement of some sort.

It's your job to figure out what that statement is.

[MissMillie]

12. we moved

I think that's the issue.

I just thought that since it was done once, the bed was now "marked" and that meant that the cat would keep going back. I thought new bedding might get the "marked" smell out and stop the behavior.

[skygazer]

13. Cats are so funny about that stuff

I read somewhere that dogs gain their security from their people but cats gain theirs from their surroundings. From what I've seen of them, it makes sense. Our cat was in a major state of anxiety for about 6 months when we remodeled the bathroom.

You might talk to your vet too and see if he/she has any suggestions.

[China_cat]

11. The shower curtain idea is good

especially if it's an older one. (They don't like the feel of it on their paws) Add to that, if you're afraid of them getting underneath it, strips of crinkled aluminum foil. Something about the feel and sound of that sends cats flying elsewhere.

[malta blue]

14. That is horrible.

My husband's cat did that to him right before we got married - not only on the bed, but on him while he was in it.

After the stressed was over, the cat got over it too.