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My cat pees on my bed after moving. Is it anxiety or behavioral?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 6 years and 6 months old | 11.2 lbs

I just moved to a new state 2 months ago and my cat has peed on my bed probably 9 times since. 3 times while I’m physically in bed trying to sleep. She used to pee on my bed before our move, whenever I’d be gone overnight somewhere. I’m not sure what to do. She’s 6 now and she’s been doing this since the pandemic. I haven’t tried anxiety meds yet and every vet visit I’ve had they say she’s healthy. I love her so much but I’m wondering if re-homing her is something I should consider.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 7th, 2023

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

A cat can be "healthy" and still have urination issues as you have described because the problem is behavioral and not medical. If it has been ruled out that she does not have any underlying medical conditions (kidney issues, bladder problems, UTI, etc) then you should try the behavioral modification medication. The medications work well and cats rarely have any side effects with their use. Please talk to your vet about this.

This problem is not only stressful for you but also for Prune. And typically what happens is, if you rehome her, she will do the same behavior at the new person's house. Inevitably they get frustrated and they will rehome her and the cycle continues as she is passed from home to home. She may even end up at a shelter as unadaptable which in some shelters means euthanasia. Please don't do that to her and speak to your vet about medication. I can tell you love her very much and someone else may not feel the same about her. The medication is not expensive and typically is easy to administer. The medication does not usually change their attitude towards you or change their personality in any drastic way. It is an easy solution.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Vote Icon9Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 5th, 2018

    Hi and Thank you for using PetCoach. I'm sorry you're having problems with Tigger. Inappropriate urination can be a difficult and frustrating problem for owners and vets. Ruling out medical causes such as urinary tract infection is first step, but if your vet has already run a urinalysis and Tigger and found nothing, it is most likely behavioral. The move, another cat are all possible triggers that started this. Even if those aren't immediate issues anymore, it may have been enough to start things off.
    So now to treat - multiple litter boxes, even one in the bedroom. Pheromones such as Feliway are often helpful, they make plugin adapters. Royal Canin food, calm https://www.royalcanin.com/products/royal-canin-veterinary-diet-feline-calm-dry-cat-food/3955 is often helpful. Treating this is often a multi-modal approach, unfortunately there is not one easy cure. Here are some articles for more info. https://www.royalcanin.com/products/royal-canin-veterinary-diet-feline-calm-dry-cat-food/3955
    http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=633
    http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3638
    http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1452

    Good luck, I hope this helps.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 12th, 2017

    How frustrating for you! Moving to a new home is stressful for a cat, and JB could be reacting to that stress by inappropriately peeing on your daughter's bed. Not using the litter box can also be a sign of a medical illness, such as a UTI or bladder stone. I would recommend taking JB into your vet tomorrow for an exam. Your vet can do routine blood tests and a urinalysis to see if he does have a UTI or bladder stones. If he has a UTI, he will need antibiotics to treat it. Bladder stones may need to be removed surgically, or can be managed with diet.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 3rd, 2017

    Yes, I would take him into the vet. He could be stressed from all the moves and now living with dogs, which can predispose him to a urinary tract infection or other lower urinary tract disease. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, and urinalysis to diagnose if there is a medical illness causing this inappropriate urination, and can treat him for it. I would have him seen by a vet tomorrow.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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