Is It Okay To Let Your Cat Sleep in Bed With You?

Based on a recent survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association, 49 percent of pet cats sleep on their owners’ beds.

Allowing your cat to spend the night with you can enhance the bond between you and your cat, encourage relaxation, and offer comfort. However, there are potential drawbacks, such as compromised immune systems, allergies, and hygiene issues that can interrupt your sleep.

We will explore the pros and cons and provide some steps to keep you both safe throughout the night.

Pros of sharing the bed with your cat

Letting your cat sleep with you can improve your bond while providing outstanding health perks. See below some pros of sharing the bed with your cat.

• Improve bonding
• Quality cuddles
• Improve mental health
• Calming effect
• Relief from anxiety and stress
• Release happy hormones like oxytocin and endorphins.

Cons of letting your cat sleep in bed at night

Letting your cat sleep in bed with you can be a cozy experience. However, it’s not all purrs and cuddles. Several drawbacks of co-sleeping with your furry friend cannot be overlooked.

Find some of the cons of letting your cat sleep in bed with you below:

• Can cause allergies and infections
• Can carry germs
• May scratch or jump
• It may disrupt if you’re a light sleeper
• May become territorial over the bed

First and foremost, co-sleeping with cats can trigger allergies and infections. Moreover, cats can carry germs and bacteria from their litter box, which can cause infections and illnesses in humans.

Sharing your bed with your cat can ruin your sleep quality. Cats are nocturnal animals known for their sporadic and unpredictable behavior during sleep. They can jump, scratch, and pounce on you even when you’re in deep slumber, leading to disturbed sleep, so understanding your cat’s body language is crucial.

Lastly, co-sleeping can negatively impact your cat’s behavior. If they are used to sleeping in your bed, they may become overly defensive and aggressive towards others or animals who try to share their sleeping space.

In conclusion, while allowing your cat to sleep in bed sounds appealing, it’s not without risks. If you still want to share your bed with your furry friend, take necessary precautions, like regular grooming, maintaining your cat healthy, and providing them with a designated sleeping area.

Steps to make sleeping with your pet safe

To ensure safe sleeping with your cat, it’s important to follow the simple steps, below. By doing so, you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep without any worries.

Set up Healthy Sleeping Habits

Establishing healthy sleeping habits for your cat is crucial. Train your cat to sleep regularly, and ensure they get plenty of exercise during the day to reduce their need to play at night.

This way, your cat will fall asleep quicker and less likely to disturb you at night.

Create a Designated Area in the Bed

Creating a designated area for your cat is also important. This helps them understand where they should sleep, reducing their urge to wander all over the bed.

In addition, you can use a comfortable cat bed or mat, or there are many reasons cats love sleeping in their owners’ clothes, so that is a great alternative. Just grab an old T-shirt and lay it on the bottom of the bed.

Wash Your Bed Frequently

Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is crucial, especially if your cat is allowed to sleep on the bed. Use a lint roller to remove hair and dander, wash your bedding frequently, and vacuum the bed area and the room frequently.

Regular Vet Check-Ups

Regular veterinary visits for your cat are essential. Ensure routine checkups with your vet to ensure your pet is healthy and free from fleas and ticks or any infections.

Alternatives for sharing your bed with your feline

If you decide that co-sleeping with your furry friend isn’t for you, there are plenty of alternatives to keep you and your cat happy and well-rested. Some alternatives for sharing your bed with your cat are presented below.

Get a Cat Bed

First up, consider getting your cat a bed of their own that they can cuddle up in. Not only will this give them a sense of ownership and comfort, but it will also keep them from stealing too much of your bed real estate.

Create a Separated Sleeping Area

If a separate cat bed isn’t your thing, consider creating a separate sleeping area for your cat. This could be a cozy cat tree, a soft blanket on the floor, or anything in between.

Train Your Cat To Sleep Outside Your Room

Finally, if you’re determined to keep your bed entirely cat-free, you could try training your cat to sleep in a designated area outside your room. This may take some time and patience, but it can be done with effort and positive reinforcement.

Whatever alternative you choose, remember that the most important thing is to keep you and your cat comfortable, healthy, and well-rested.

Opinions from experts

According to experts, allowing your cat to sleep in bed with you is generally safe, as long as both parties are healthy. However, they warn that pets can be active at night, causing injuries or disturbed sleep.

Additionally, it’s crucial to maintain cleanliness and seek prompt veterinary care. Regarding the pet’s behavior during sleep, experts advise understanding their nature and providing them with proper training and designated sleeping areas.

Conclusion

In summary, sleeping with your cat has its benefits but also poses risks. To make it safe, establish healthy sleeping habits, designate an area, maintain hygiene, and ensure regular veterinary care. Always consult experts and seek their opinions.

Frequently Asked Questions