Cat peed on dog bed — how to get your dog using it again

Your cat has marked the dog bed and now your Pomeranian won't go near it — that's a classic territorial scent problem, and the reason your dog is refusing the bed is that cat urine smell is still very much there, even if you can't detect it yourself. The only way to fix this properly is with an enzyme-based cleaner — sprays, steam, or detergent will mask the odour temporarily but the underlying proteins remain, and your dog's nose will still pick them up. Before I point you to the right product, can you tell me: is the dog bed machine washable, or does it have a non-removable cover or foam insert? And how long ago did the cat urinate on it — are we dealing with something fresh or has it had a chance to set in?

Good — the removable cover makes this more manageable, but the foam is the real challenge. Cat urine wicks deep into foam very quickly, and once it's set for a few days the urea has broken down into odour compounds that are genuinely stubborn. A standard wash of the cover won't be enough on its own, and if the foam still smells, your Pom won't touch the bed regardless of how clean the cover is. One more quick question before I give you my recommendation: roughly how big is the dog bed? I want to make sure you get enough product to saturate the foam properly — you need to wet it as deeply as the urine penetrated, which on a Pomeranian's bed is typically the full depth of the cushion.

Perfect, that gives me a clear picture. For this I'd go with Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover — it's a professional-strength enzyme cleaner that's well established, genuinely effective on set-in cat urine, and safe on foam. The key with foam is application: soak the affected area so the enzymes reach as deep as the urine did, then cover loosely with cling film or a plastic bag for a few hours to stop it drying out too fast — enzymes need damp conditions to keep working. Leave it overnight if you can, then let it air dry completely before putting the cover back on. At the same time, machine wash the cover on the hottest setting the fabric allows and add a capful of Simple Solution to the drum. Once both parts are fully dry and odour-free, your Pom should go back to the bed without hesitation. A 750ml bottle will be more than enough for a 60cm bed.

Yes — eliminating the scent marker is actually the most important step for stopping repeat marking. Cats return to spots because they can smell their own urine, which signals to them that this is an established toilet site. Once the enzyme cleaner has fully broken down those odour compounds, the scent signal disappears and the spot loses its appeal. That said, if your cat is targeting the dog bed specifically and repeatedly, it's worth thinking about whether there's an underlying territorial tension between them — sometimes a cat will mark a dog's belongings as a stress response. If the behaviour continues after the bed is clean, it's worth a vet chat to rule out a urinary issue or look at environmental changes like adding a second litter tray in a quieter spot.

Good plan. The overnight soak with the plastic covering is the bit most people skip and it makes a real difference with foam — so don't rush the drying stage either, make sure both the foam and cover are bone dry before reassembling. Your Pom's nose is far more sensitive than yours, so if there's any doubt, give it another treatment before putting the cover back. Should sort it out completely.