Is My Cat Spiteful?
Your Cat Pooped On the Bed — Why would he do such a thing?
While cats are usually very clean pets, stress, insecurity, and certain health issues can make a cat poop on the bed or in other unexpected places.
Spoiler alert: it’s never about spite.
Written by Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers
Updated for 2025
At the end of a long day, we all look forward to climbing into bed with our soft blankets and maybe a purring cat curled up beside us.
But nothing destroys that peaceful moment faster than a strange smell… or discovering an unwelcome “surprise” on your bed.
It’s natural to wonder: “Is my cat mad at me?”
Let me reassure you — your cat is not being spiteful. Let’s break down what’s really going on.
A Real-Life Example
I once worked with a couple whose two Ragdoll siblings seemed like the picture of harmony, affectionate, playful, and bonded. Yet every so often, one of them would poop in the bed, creating frustration and tension at home.
After asking lots of questions and observing the cats, the real reasons became clear. Below are the most common causes of pooping outside the litter box.
Causes of Pooping Outside the Litter Box
Pooping on the bed (or anywhere outside the box) is less common than urinating outside the box, but it definitely happens. Many of the causes overlap.
Identifying the trigger is the key to stopping the behavior.
1. Illness
A vet check is always step one. Issues that may cause litter box avoidance include:
- IBS or other digestive disorders
- Cancer
-
Intestinal parasites
-
Painful elimination
If it hurts to poop in the box, a cat may associate the box with pain and choose a softer, more comfortable surface — like your bed.
In my experience, cats may also eliminate elsewhere when they feel sick to help protect their “colony,” just as they would instinctively in the wild.
2. Situational Unhappiness
Cats are sensitive to changes in routine.
In the case above, the issue almost always happened after one partner returned from a business trip. The cat wasn’t angry, he was anxious and upset about the change.
Cats don’t have words to express emotional distress, so behavior becomes their communication tool.
3. Stress or Insecurity
This often overlaps with situational stress but goes deeper.
In this case, the cats were still new to the household, only two months in. They had been separated from their mom, siblings, and familiar environment. One owner’s absence made the household feel even more unstable.
Cats thrive on predictability. When their world feels uncertain, stress can show up as inappropriate elimination.
4. Litter Box Problems
This is the #1 cause of inappropriate pooping or peeing.
Cats can be surprisingly particular about their bathrooms. Consider:
- Type of Litter
Most cats prefer soft, sandy litter over large or sharp chunks. (See my Cat Litter Types Review)
- Type of Box
Some cats hate covered boxes; others want privacy. Make sure the box is large enough for your cat to turn around comfortably.
- Box Placement
Avoid noisy or high-traffic areas. Cats want privacy with a clear escape route.
- Cleanliness
Scoop daily, at least once per day if not twice. A dirty box is the feline version of an un-flushed toilet; no thank you!
5. Litter Box Bullying
In multi-cat homes, one cat may guard or “claim” the litter box. A bullied or intimidated cat may feel safer using your bed — it smells like you, it’s elevated, and it has multiple escape routes.
Rule of thumb: One litter box per cat, plus one extra.
6. Stress from Outside Cats
Outdoor cats — even if your cat never sees them — can trigger territorial stress simply through scent.
This often happens during mating season or when strays roam close to your home. That stress can lead to pooping outside the box. Safe, humane outdoor cat deterrents can help reduce this trigger.
Together we’ll get to the root of the issue and create an easy, effective plan to stop accidents and restore harmony.
Get Expert Help From Certified Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers →
How to Stop Inappropriate Pooping and Peeing
Once you’ve identified the root cause, you’re ready to break the habit and rebuild confidence. Here are the most effective steps:
🐾 5 Simple Steps to Stop the Behavior
Vet Visit
Rule out medical causes first.
- Identify the Trigger
Address emotional or environmental stressors.
- Fix the Litter Box Setup
Adjust litter type, box size, location, and cleanliness until your cat is comfortable.
- Make No-No Zones Unappealing
Use temporary deterrents such as citrus scent, foil, or motion-activated devices to break the cycle.
- Reward Good Behavior
Praise or give a small treat when your cat uses the litter box correctly. Positive reinforcement builds confidence faster than punishment ever could.
No More Poop On the Bed!
With the right detective work and adjustments, most cats return to reliable litter box habits quickly.
Before long, you’ll be snuggling peacefully again — without any unpleasant surprises hidden under the blankets.
And remember: If your cat’s litter box issues persist, it’s not your fault — and you’re not alone.
Also read: Does Your Cat Pee On The Bed? HELP! My Cat Pees On Everything!
Need Help Solving Your Cat’s Behavior Problems?
Book a private consultation with Rita Reimers, Certified Cat Behaviorist.
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HELP! We have a brother & sister duo, adopted close to 2 years ago. The male has a habit (2+ times a week) of pooping outside – literally, JUST outside – the litterbox. Sometimes, he doesn’t step far enough into the box, so his turds do not fall into the box. Other times, he doesn’t even go into the box, just poops somewhere close to it. Luckily, never elsewhere in the house. We originally had a Litter Locker, and I thought maybe the bucket style was simply too small – he is a rather long cat – so I bought the longest litterbox I could find. It hasn’t helped! We use wood pellets for litter, as the rescue organization told us that’s what the siblings were used to (not to mention, it’s MUCH cheaper than any kitty litter on the market). I am close to re-homing these cats because of this issue, which is a shame, as there are no such problems with the female, and they are otherwise enjoyable pets.
Hi Leanne,
Pooping outside of the box is usually how cats self soothe themselves if they are feeling anxious. How is his general demeanor? Have there been any changes to the household (people leaving, people added, pets added or passed). Any outdoor cats causing him stress?
I would suggest that the first step would be to rule our intestinal issues, as parasites and other illnesses like IBS can cause litter box avoidance. I know, taking cats to the vet can be difficult. This company sends tests you can do at home, https://affordablepetlabs.com/, and the results are sent to you and your vet.
Another thing to check, is his sister cat bullying him or causing him to not go into the box? Cats who are being prevented or entering or exiting the box will do this, too.
Is the litter box lidded? Try taking the lid off to see if that helps. How many boxes do you have; for 2 cats, ideally 3 is the right number, but 2 will do if they are large and scooped at least once per day.
It could also be the wood pellets. Many cats don’t like how those feel on their paws. Try adding a box right next to the box with the wood pellets, but put a soft, sandy type of litter in it. If he uses that one, that’s the answer…
Should you need more help pinpointing and correcting the problem, we’re here. I believe this would only need our 30-minute session.
Keep us posted,
Rita
I have had a roommate move in and my cat is now pooping on my bed. I have made sure her box is clean I have taken her to the vet and have even given her a special area in my room
Jus for her but she’s still pooping on my bed. Please, what do I do?
Hi Stephanie,
It sounds like the changes in the household have created some anxiety for your cat, which is fairly common. Kitty is pooping on your bed either because she is mixing her scent with to self soothe.
Does she have a good relationship with your roommate? Encourage your roommate to offer kitty some treats, soothing sweet talk, take over some of the feeding duties, and perhaps engage in play to help your cat associate good things with the new member of your household.
Let us know how things are going, and feel free to book a session with us should you need more specific guidance. I think a 30-minute session would be purrfect for you and your cat. https://ritareimers.com/cat-behavior-consultations/
Rita
Hello! My sweet cat has been pooping on my bed a couple times a week now. I’m really struggling with this as cat odors are very hard to get rid of and is such a hassle to wash all of my bedding so frequently.
She is kept in my room as we do have other animals in the house. She has her own large litter box. She doesn’t get along with one of the other cats in our house which is why she is kept in my room with the door closed at all times. They haven’t had any encounters for weeks (they did encounter each other accidentally 2-3 times this year) so I am not sure why she is doing it now. We do have a dog that gets on her nerves sometimes. So I know there are some stressors for her, but they have been present for quite some time so I am not sure why she is acting out now. I will take her into the vet to check her health, although I have not noticed any concerns in that regard. She gets lots of time outside in the backyard, and cuddles with me at night. Not sure what to do! Please help!
Hi Lauren,
Without a full behavior session, my educated guess is your kitty is pooping outside her litter box to self soothe her anxiety. Being kept in one room, not getting along with the other cat and knowing (and smelling) the other cat is in the rest of the house can often cause cats to regress to their primitive kitty instincts to try to claim territory and protect themselves. I don’t believe this is a litter box issue, so “fixing” the litter box really won’t do anything to improve the behavior.
It would be great if you could schedule a behavior session with us. Getting to the root cause of her anxiety and stress, building her confidence, getting the cats to peacefully coexist are all things that will greatly improve her litter box habits. Feel free to schedule a free pre-consultation to meet us first so you feel more comfortable booking a full session: https://ritareimers.com/cat-behavior-consultations/
You may want to also consider attending our upcoming class, “Cat” We All Just Get Along, where we teach our method for helping cats have a better relationship with one another. The class is being held via ZOOM on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 4pm to 6pm Eastern Time. Early Bird registration is just $35 until September 15, when we go up to full price of $40: https://calendly.com/catbehaviorallianceinc/cat-behavior-webinars?month=2023-09&date=2023-09-23
Linda and I look forward to solving this problem for you and your kitties,
Rita
Hi there,
I hope you have some advice because I feel as though I’ve tried so much. Whenever I leave town, one of my cats seems to poop either on my bed or somewhere with a soft blanket or rug in my home. I have gotten anxiety diffusers. I put pet blankets on the two beds that have sometimes the orange sent even. She loves mint so I don’t know if that would do. Also I feel like she will just go somewhere else. I make sure the litter box is clean. They like the cat sitter, and I’ve had her come here with me here too. They’ve known her for quite a while. She plays with them and gives them treats. I have a strong inkling that my cat is upset that I’m leaving, and she knows I’m gone because the sitter is here. So I honestly don’t know what to do because I have to be able to leave sometimes. Do you have any other suggestions?? Thank you so much in advance. I also think it doesn’t help that I live alone, so she get used to it just being mostly me a lot of the time. Again so grateful for any advice.
Hi!
Were you able to sort the situation out with your cat? I travel often and have been experiencing the same things. This all began after a kitchen renovation in my home. So, fairly certain this is stress/anxiety related.
Help?
Thanks!
Andi
Hi Andi,
Household changes can often cause cats stress and anxiety, and a kitchen renovation is high stress situation.
How are things going now? If you need help, I would suggest setting up a free 15-minute pre consultation with Nicole, so she can talk about the issues you face and recommend the session that’s right for you while making you comfortable with our services.
Here is the link to our session page, so you can review the options we offer.
The free pre-consult is the first link: https://ritareimers.com/cat-behavior-sessions/
Rita
We have two cats. There are no changes in our household routine. once a week or so I find one of the cats are pooping in my chair or on the sofa. I have bought covers for these and spray down every other day with Keep Off. this worked for awhile but today I found poop in my chair. Why would they do this?
I have no idea which one is doing it. I could guess but really it would be a guess
Hi Patty,
Without a session to assess specifics in this case, there are any number of reasons this happens. Outside cats (even if you cats are indoors only) can cause indoor cats anxiety and pooping on your chair is a way they self soothe by mixing their scent with yours. They also do that to display their alpha status in the household. How many litter boxes do you have? Some cats prefer to poop in one and pee in another, so that could also be a reason for this behavior.
Be sure you clean up the places good with a safe enzymatic cleaner, like Anti Icky Poo, and put something over those places where poo occurs, so the cats can’t even get to that spot.
If you still need some help, I think a 30-minute session would be enough for us to gather information with you and recommend some deeper solutions.
Rita