Why Is My Bengal Cat Peeing Everywhere? [And What To Do]

Bengals are very loveable; their affectionate, playful nature and limitless energy make them great fun to own! However, just like other cat breeds, they can sometimes begin to show undesirable behaviors such as inappropriate toileting, which can be very frustrating for you as an owner. But why do they do this, and what can you do to stop the habit? Here is all you need to know.

So, why is my Bengal cat peeing everywhere? If your Bengal has suddenly started peeing everywhere, the reason is likely behavioral. This can be triggered by states of stress, such as moving house or the addition of a new cat to the household. It could also be due to a medical condition. Bengals are particularly prone to Urinary Tract Infections, so do seek the advice of a vet if you are concerned.

Most of the time, it’s the result of a change.

A change in their environment, or what they are used to or comfortable with.

This naturally causes stress.

And stress can bring about peeing and other undesirable behaviors.

However, there is always the possibility there is a medical issue. And that will of keep need further investigation.

The first step is for you to determine the cause, but as there are numerous circumstances, it’s not always entirely obvious.

So keep reading to find out how and when to respond.

Reasons Why Bengal Cats Can Pee Everywhere

There are a number of reasons why your Bengal cat may have started peeing everywhere; however, you should always check for any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the behavior first before you look at behavioral or environmental causes. 

Some medical conditions that cause unwanted toileting issues can be fatal if left untreated for too long, so it is best to get your cat checked over by a vet as soon as possible.

Bengals are particularly prone to Feline Urinary Tract Infections, which can become very painful.

They are caused by bacteria that enter the bladder and reproduce and are often the result of a dirty environment, bed, or litter box, which allows bacteria to travel up the urethra.

Cats with urinary tract infections will often urinate outside of the litter box and may whine or cry when urinating, which is an indication of intense pain.

Medical Causes

Aside from Feline Urinary Tract Infections, there are a number of other medical conditions that may result in your cat urinating outside of the litter box.

Let’s run through them now:

• Bladder stones are thought to be caused by an accumulation of minerals in the body, resulting in the formation of solid crystalline stones. If the stones are small, they can usually be dissolved with a special diet; however, larger stones may require surgery to be removed successfully. Cats with bladder stones may urinate more frequently, and you may see them straining each time.
• Cystitis is characterized by the inflammation of the bladder, which has a wide range of potential causes, from bladder stones to diabetes and dehydration. Symptoms include straining to urinate, excessive genital licking, and blood in the urine.
• Feline diabetes is more common in older or overweight cats. Because this disease prevents cats from effectively utilizing glucose, many cats with diabetes end up developing hyperglycemia (high sugar levels present in the blood) which can lead to excessive urination as the body tries to get rid of it. Other symptoms include weight loss and excessive thirst.

Environmental Causes

If you have ruled out any potential medical causes of your Bengal’s inappropriate toileting, then it is time to look at your cat’s environment.

As mentioned above, all cats are incredibly clean animals, but they can also be very picky when it comes to the location and cleanliness of the litter tray, and even the type of litter used!

Most cats prefer fine ground litter over larger clumps, and you should also be wary of scented litters as these can often be off-putting for your cat.

The best litters will remove odors naturally,

You may also need to look at the type of litter box you have.

Most cats prefer open-top litter trays as hooded ones can make them feel trapped and vulnerable.

Always ensure you scoop out any dirty litter daily at the minimum.

It is worth bearing in mind that some cats will point blank refuse to use their litter tray if there are still remnants of their last toileting episode in it, so in these cases, you may need to clean it more often.

In addition to daily scooping, you should clean the litter box fully at least once a week but be careful to avoid strong-smelling disinfectants, especially citrus-based ones, as the scent may deter your cat from using the litter tray.

Always remember that a cat’s smell is much stronger than ours, so they may still be able to smell urine even if you feel you have cleaned up thoroughly.

Stress And Anxiety As Causes 

Stress is another factor that can cause your Bengal to pee everywhere in the house.

Have you recently moved house? Added a new pet to the house? Have you rearranged the living room?

All of these things can cause stress and anxiety in cats which may result in inappropriate urination.

As a very social cat breed, Bengals can also suffer from separation anxiety if their owner is out of the house for long periods on a regular basis, which may lead them to urinate in the areas you frequent most, such as your bed or the sofa.

Once you have discovered the cause of your Bengal peeing everywhere, then you can try to rectify the situation by removing any stress factors or visiting your vet to diagnose and treat any medical conditions present.

How To Stop Your Bengal Cat From Peeing Everywhere

If you think the cause of your Bengal cat peeing everywhere is medical, then you must visit your local vet as soon as possible. If you suspect the behavior is caused by stress, then you will need to reassess your cat’s environment and make any necessary changes.

Here are some practical things you should absolutely consider: 

Optimize Litter Tray Positioning

Aside from ensuring the litter box is cleaned regularly, you should ensure that the tray is kept in a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the household.

Although Bengals are known to be social cats, they also like to go to the toilet in private, just like humans!

So too much noise can deter your Bengal from wanting to use the litter tray.

Most cats, including Bengals, prefer their litter trays to be placed in secluded areas on the edge of their’ core territory’ (the area they sleep, play, and eat).

Saying that you should NEVER place food bowls near the litter tray, as cats will not eat and toilet in the same space.

Bengals are particularly picky when it comes to cleanliness and routine and may even refuse to use the tray if you have simply put too much litter into it! T

rial and error is the best way forward to find out what your Bengal prefers.

Consider Other Home Arrivals

You may also need to consider how many cats you have in your household.

Most cats are solitary by nature, so they will not appreciate having to share a litter box!

The general rule is to have one litter tray per cat and then one more. If you have recently added a new cat to your household, your Bengals’ urinating habits may be caused by territorial behavior.

Just like cats in the wild, Bengals will perform territorial marking, which can be triggered by the odor or presence of another cat.

Always ensure you introduce new cats slowly, especially with Bengal’s as these cats have a higher territorial instinct compared to other cat breeds due to their wild ancestry.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the addition of a new animal/human into their territory can also cause Bengals to suffer from stress which may result in inappropriate elimination.

If a new person moves into your household or if you have just had a baby, you may find that your Bengal starts repeatedly urinating in the area the new addition sleeps in.

If this happens, you will need to take steps to reassure your feline companion that the new arrival is not a threat.

Often this involves having short, supervised interactions between your cat and the newcomer over the course of a few weeks, whilst offering regular praise and reassurance.

Praise Proper Toileting Behaviour 

You can also praise or treat your cat whenever he uses the litter box.

In these circumstances, you will need to make sure your cat has plenty of places to hide or climb if they ever feel threatened, which can include cat trees, beds, and additional shelves in the room.

Furniture like this will allow your cat to climb up to a high vantage point where he will feel more secure. 

Rectify Environmental Changes 

All cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment, so it is important to recognize that if your Bengal does begin to pee around the house, then he is most likely suffering from some sort of stress or anxiety.

If this happens, you will need to look at his environment to see what has changed, to try to rectify the issue.

Bengals are also incredibly intelligent cats, so they will respond well to reassurance, praise, and positive reinforcement.

If you notice your Bengal straining to go to the toilet or making unusual vocalizations whilst peeing, this may indicate a medical problem, so you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

Finally

Bengals can suddenly start to pee around the home.

It’s an unfortunate event and one that you are going to want to get to the bottom of promptly.

Besides, not only is it not nice for your home and hygiene, but most of the time, it shows that something is off with your Bengal too.

Most of the time, a few minor changes around the home can rectify the issue.

But, as we have learned today, there is always the possibility your cat has developed or is going through a medical issue that may require veterinary attention and support.

If in doubt, do contact a vet.

Don’t hesitate and provide them with as much information as you can.

Besides, at the very least, they should be able to provide some practical solutions. They’ve seen a lot of cats and will have likely been asked this question many times before!