Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi there!
I would like to know why my cat only pees on top of my bed!
He is really good all the time...i even leave my door open during the night and he comes and goes.
When I leave home I shut my bedroom door and most of the time if I'm at home i try to have it shut....
Now and then, for no reason (to me!) he pees on my bed.
I wash the lines straight away.
I don't know what to do!

Thanks for your help!
Rosa

ANSWER: Rosa,

The most common reason for that behavior is a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. When it is painful for the cat to pee, they associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. If it is urinary crystals, and it is not caught in time and causes a complete blockage, it is usually fatal in male cats.

I would suggest having him checked a medical reason for her behavior before dealing with it as a behavioral one.

Also, the bladder is a cat's stress target so he may not be upset about something having to do with you or the home.

Kittens need a friend to play kitty games with and to keep them company when they are alone. It's best to have 2 kittens about the same age and temperment. It is easier to care for two because it take the pressure off of you to keep one amused. That could be part of the the peeing problem, if it is not medical. He may be lonely and  bored and trying to tell you.

He also is at the age that you should get him neutered before the pee starts smelling 'like a tomcat's'.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply Tabbi!
The thing is that he only pees on my duvet!

He has been desexed already.
And about having 2 cats, he is a Bengal Cat and very demanding....could not think of 2!

If it were an UTI, wouldn't he pee every where? Not only on my bed?

Thanks again!

Answer
Rosa,

In that case it sounds like he is telling you something that he is upset about. When a cat pees on one person's things, or where they sleep then the problem the cat is upset about is directed at that person. Sometimes you have to be a detective to figure out what is bothering him.

I am attaching a link to a very good Bengal site. They have email available. Ask them your question and find out if his behavior is something that is Bengal-specific.

Also here are some informative links about litterbox problems that you may find helpful:

(copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

Tabbi