Cats pee on beds primarily due to medical issues, stress or anxiety, territorial marking, or litter box problems. Medical causes to consider first include urinary tract infections, bladder inflammation, diabetes, or kidney disease. These conditions can make it difficult or painful for a cat to use the litter box properly, leading to accidents on soft, comfortable places like beds.
Behavioral causes include stress or anxiety from changes in the household (new pets, new people, moving homes), jealousy, or separation anxiety. Cats may pee on beds to mark their territory or express emotional discomfort. Cognitive dysfunction in older cats can also lead to forgetting litter box locations.
Issues with the litter box itself—such as cleanliness, location, type of litter, or insufficient number of boxes—can also cause cats to avoid the litter box and seek out other areas to urinate, like a bed.
In summary, cats pee on beds because they may be trying to communicate discomfort, stress, or health problems, or because they find the litter box unsatisfactory. The first step is to rule out medical issues with a vet visit, then address environmental and behavioral factors to help your cat feel more secure and comfortable.
