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The litter tray

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Original poster

Why do cats shit on beds?

19 replies

NameChange30 · 20/09/2015 23:02

We have just discovered a massive shit on our bed The culprit is one of our cats, they have both been shut inside all day because we were oiling the decking and didn't want them to get anything on their paws. They have a litter tray which they hardly ever use but they did use it today.
Why oh why did the cat shit on our bed? Please don't tell me it's revenge for us keeping him prisoner all day - they can't be that evil/clever surely?

OP posts:

VimFuego101 · 20/09/2015 23:08

Because they're little furry wankers. HTH.

Original poster

NameChange30 · 20/09/2015 23:20

THERE IS POO JUICE ON OUR DUVET

This is the most disgusting thing that's ever happened. I don't mind cleaning out the litter tray, I really don't. But a massive shit on my bed is just too much. I may be resigning my Cat Person role.
THERE ISN'T A FACE FOR HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW

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Original poster

NameChange30 · 20/09/2015 23:26

We don't even let them in the bedrooms, usually. Occasionally they might go in when we're there but we never leave them by themselves. We I always close the door. DH must have left the door open and it's taking all my strength not to blame him.

OP posts:

Frostycake · 20/09/2015 23:30

Its a sign of stress. How many cats do you have? You need at least 1 tray per cat and it must be cleaned as soon as they use it or they'll go elsewhere (your bed).

Original poster

NameChange30 · 20/09/2015 23:32

Two cats and I clean the litter tray as soon as it's used. As I said, they don't normally use it but today was an exception because we had to keep them shut in.

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Original poster

NameChange30 · 20/09/2015 23:33

PS It was used earlier but I emptied it straight away - so they had a clean tray.

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AnitaManeater · 20/09/2015 23:41

I think my cat does it for a laugh. It shat on my sleeping toddler once. Perfectly clean litter tray only a matter of a couple meters away.

MrsSchadenfreude · 21/09/2015 00:04

The Shitten does it when we go away, the first day, in a defiant, well fuck you for pissing off and leaving us with the cat sitter, sort of way.

Original poster

NameChange30 · 21/09/2015 00:07

Anita " It shat on my sleeping toddler once."

OP posts:

VimFuego101 · 21/09/2015 00:31

On a slightly more helpful note, you should have a tray per cat and ideally one extra.

cozietoesie · 21/09/2015 00:35

Cats often pee and poo in very close succession - and some cats really don't like pooing in a place where they've just peed, also. You need more trays if they're kept in, in future. Two cats (ideally) means three trays.

Other than that, one of them might not like the type of litter you provided or may be having a little trouble pooing (eg if they were an older animal and might have some arthritis) so used the bed because it was a nice 'safe' place which they didn't associate with pain etc etc. Lots of possible reasons but if this is a one-off, maybe you won't find out.

Did you manage to clean up OK? It's not pleasant that's for sure but it's a bit like getting a scratch on a new car: the first is usually the worst.

coffeeisnectar · 21/09/2015 00:39

Mine did this the day we came home from holiday. I think she had issues with the other cat blocking her exit from the house. Once her tray had been put back (which she has never used before) she started using it and now goes back out side.

headexplodesbodyfreezes · 21/09/2015 01:09

Basically cats are bastards. Its been a nice day, we had the litter tray just outside the back door all day. We brought it in this evening to just inside the back door, all of about 75cm, and the little git immediately shat in it. The smell was frankly indescribable.

I really don't get the point of having it. It just bothers us for food constantly and periodically stinks out the whole house. Its not any kind of asset. Needless to say, its not my cat. Get a dog instead, at least they give something back and don't shit in the house.

VenusRising · 21/09/2015 01:57

When my cat was a kitten she would sometimes walk in her poo in the tray, whilst she inexpertly scuffed the litter over it.
I woke up one morning to the delightful smell and view of tiny little poo paw prints all over the duvet.

A spray of bleach on the cover, and into the machine at hot, and a carpet cleaner and all's well that ends well.

Poos on the bed are a stress response. Make sure you cuddle her a lot - the paint/ oil smell might be putting her off using the trays.... or she's an evil bastard punishing you for keeping her in

Original poster

NameChange30 · 21/09/2015 10:13

Thanks all. I know about the rule of one tray per cat plus an extra. We did have two trays for ages (one large, one medium) and took the smaller one away because they very rarely use either - they normally go outside. I realise now that we should have put the second tray out yesterday when we kept them in. Well, we've certainly learned our lesson!

It's not age or illness btw. They're young cats. He had to walk past the tray and up the stairs to get to the bed! But I think he must have been stressed out from being cooped up all day. The problem with cats is that you can't explain why! We didn't want them to get nasty decking oil on their paws!

cozie I'm ashamed to say DH did the clean up and I left him to it TMI warning: unfortunately there was some liquid poo and it soaked through to the duvet. The duvet is machine washable but as it's bulky I'm not sure it'll wash properly in our washing machine. Think I'll probably find a launderette this morning. The duvet cover went straight in the wash last night (with lashings of stain remover) and has come out fine thankfully. We're lucky there was nothing on our pillows or wool blanket!

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cozietoesie · 21/09/2015 11:40

I ended up buying a new duvet when Oneago peed on it on his first night with me. (I'd given him an unacceptable litter in his new tray so my own fault.) I think you may have to resign yourself to that so Thank Goodness they're only cheap.

I think I'd maybe be keeping a general eye on their innards. (It's a pity you don't know which one did the deed.) That liquid poo just could indicate some constipation/poo issues.

(I don't want to get too TMI about this but if the poo becomes hard and a little blocked for some reason, they can find it difficult to shift and you just might also get some 'leakage' of liquid round the outside of the sections. Combined with pooing on your bed, which itself might indicate some minor problems - although it could indicate stress or sheer bloody-mindedness - I think I'd just be keeping a weather eye on them both. It's a pity they normally go outside to do their duty: use of an inside litter tray is so convenient for observing inner health.)

When are they due to be vetted next in the ordinary course of things?

Original poster

NameChange30 · 21/09/2015 12:48

Hmmm not sure. Am I right in thinking they need yearly vaccinations? If so they'll need to go in soon so I could ask the vet at that point.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 21/09/2015 13:20

One of the vets who post might comment. There are some schools of thought that get a bit edgy about annual vaccines for the whole range of maladies but personally, I have them done on a yearly basis and that annual examination - which is a full consultation - alway includes a general checkup where the vet might always identify something you haven't seen yourself. (It's very easy to become accustomed to/overlook changes of any sort when you live cheek by jowl with an animal.)

Seniorboy sees his vet very much more frequently but that's mainly because he's so elderly and has some complaints which need attention. Even if your cats are only young 'uns, I'd still have them in to the vet once a year at least though.

Original poster

NameChange30 · 21/09/2015 13:27

Thanks, yes I think a yearly check-up is a good idea either way. I'm sure we'll get a reminder from the vets soon, but if not we'll give them a call. I think it's been about 7 months since their last visit (for neutering) but we've obviously been giving them flea and worm treatment since then.

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