No doubt it may give you a warm fuzzy to think about snuggling up to your furry feline at night. However, the decision to do this or not can be much more complex than it appears.
Is sharing your bed with your cat the right decision for you? Warm companionship vs potential disruptions to your sleep – hmmm… Let’s talk a bit about pros and cons.
Pros
- Comfort and Companionship
One of the biggest benefits of letting your cat sleep with you is the sense of comfort and companionship they provide. Cats can be incredibly soothing, and their presence may help reduce feelings of loneliness or anxiety. The gentle purring of a cat can also have a calming effect, perhaps helping you fall asleep sooner.
- Strengthening Your Bond
Sharing a sleeping space can enhance the bond between you and your cat. Cats are territorial, and allowing them into your personal space, signals trust and affection. This makes your wee beasty feel more secure and deepens your mutual bond.
- Warmth
No doubt, kitties absolutely LOVE warmth. Especially during colder months, a cat curled up next to you can act as a little furry heater. Nice and comfie cozy!
- Routine and Security
For some cats, sleeping with their human is part of their nightly routine, providing them with a sense of security and stability. This can be particularly important for rescue cats or cats with anxiety issues.
Cons
- Disrupted Sleep
Cats are naturally nocturnal creatures and can be quite active during the night. They might decide to bring their favorite toys into your bed, telling you it’s time to play. They may squirm around and groom themselves. This is definitely a sleep interrupter – at least it is for me! If your cat is in “one-of-those-moods”, this could lead to frequent wake-ups and really mess up your sleep quality.
- Allergies and Health Concerns
Don’t even get me started on allergy sufferers. Allowing a cat in your bed might exacerbate symptoms. Cat dander, saliva, and fur can trigger allergic reactions, leading to respiratory issues and discomfort. Of course, if you’re allergic to cats, should you really have one in the first place?
- Hygiene Issues
Cats are pretty fastidious animals and keeping themselves clean is one of their top priorities. However, they can still bring dirt, litter, pests, and all kinds of bacterial microbes from walking around anyone’s home (even the cleanest of homes) into your bed. This can create hygiene concerns – it’s enough for any anal retentive person to nix the cat-in-the-bed deal. Is your cat an outdoor cat? Does your cat (for whatever reason) spend an inordinate amount of time in the kitty commode?
- Territorial Behavior
Some cats may become overly territorial or possessive if they are allowed to sleep in your bed. I know this is true in my case. I have a boy cat and a girl cat. The boy cat is extremely mild mannered and sweet – even with strangers. However, if he sees the girl cat trying to get my attention or come up on the bed, he goes all-out Papa bear! No way is his big sister getting the choice spot. So, I personally go back and forth with the “allowing cats in the bed or not” thing. Some nights I let them in. Some nights (when I especially need some quality sleep) I kick them out.
- Be Careful
Going back and forth on this is probably not the best choice for you or your sweet ‘ lil fur babies. My boy cat gets all kinds of nervous and starts scratching at the floor and rug and anything else he thinks might get my attention. But this only happens after the night has gone and it’s just about time to get up anyway. It’s also his breakfast time, so there’s that. He’s all about his little feline stomach.
Ok – Time To Make The Decision
Ultimately, the decision to let your cat sleep with you should be based on your individual circumstances and the nature of your cat. You might consider the following:
- Your Sleep Quality: If your cat’s nighttime activities disrupt your sleep, it might be better for your health to keep them out of the bedroom.
- Allergies: If you or a family member has allergies, it’s probably best to keep the bedroom a cat-free zone.
- Your Cat’s Behavior: If your cat is calm and well-behaved at night, sleeping together could be a positive experience. However, if they are overly active or territorial, you might face challenges.
- Hygiene and Health: Consider the cleanliness and health implications for both you and your cat.
For some, the benefits of having their cat close at night outweigh the drawbacks. In addition, some people don’t even think about it. They actually LIKE animals in their bed and have no reason to feel or make a decision otherwise. Others may find the disruptions and potential health issues not worth the discomfort.
My final advice – do what you feel is best for you and little Puff Ball. But don’t judge others who don’t like to sleep with animals (or humans) for kicking the cat out at night. You really just need to do whatever you have to do to ensure that both you and your kitty are happy and healthy.
Share your thoughts – we love feedback. This is a non-judgemental zone. Leave your comments below.
Ciao,
Disclaimer: The information and opinions herein are based on personal research. My Blog posts are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a Licensed Veterinarian nor am I any sort of medical professional. I am merely a human who takes caring for my pets seriously. My goal is to share my research with other like-minded individuals with the hope that it will help others in some small (or perhaps large) way.
