Deciding to bring a cat into your home is a wonderful experience but it is also filled with important decisions, one of the most common being whether we will allow them to share our bed. While this practice can be deeply comforting, it comes with a number of factors that you will need to consider, from the hygiene until the emotional benefits and the potential complications. In this article, we explore everything you need to know about sleeping with your cat, including practical tips and expert-backed recommendations.
Why do cats want to sleep with you?
Cats are animals that value the to maximise security and your enjoyment. and the heat. By sleeping with you, they get both. Plus, their independent nature is not at odds with their moments of affection and closeness. Cats often seek the closeness of their caregivers because this gives them a sense of security. trust y membership to the environment. This behavior, in addition to strengthening the bond with your pet, can give you a sense of calm and emotional well.
According to recent studies, a cat's purr has relaxing and healing properties. These vibrations can help reduce stress and anxiety, making bed-sharing a mutually beneficial experience. However, not all cats are the same, and some may prefer other sleeping spots. If your cat is reluctant, you can explore alternatives in specific beds for cats.
Advantages of sleeping with your cat
The decision to allow your cat to sleep with you brings with it a series of expected benefits for both your physical and emotional health:
- Stress reduction: Cats' purring can lower levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress, and promote general relaxation.
- Mood Enhancement: Sleeping with your cat strengthens the emotional bond, which can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of companionship and happiness.
- Additional heat: Cats have a higher body temperature than humans (between 38-39 °C), which makes them act as a "natural heater" on colder nights.
- Strengthening the bond: Sharing these intimate moments strengthens the relationship between the cat and its owner, creating a deeper connection.
In addition, some studies Living with pets is linked to a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Discover more benefits here.
Hygiene and safety when sleeping with your cat
If you decide to allow your cat to share your bed, it is essential to maintain high standards of hygiene. Here we offer you some recommendations:
- regular brushing: Brush your cat daily to minimize shedding and prevent allergies, especially during shedding seasons.
- Cleaning the environment: Change your sheets weekly and be sure to vacuum your bedroom frequently to keep it free of hair and mites.
- Parasite control: Apply regular antiparasitic treatments, even if your cat does not have access to the outdoors.
- Vaccines and check-ups: Keep your cat's vaccination schedule up to date and have regular checkups with your veterinarian.
Also, consider investing in Essential products for your cat's care, such as comfy beds and scratching posts, to offer attractive alternatives when he doesn't want to share your bed.
How to handle nocturnal habits in cats
It is important to remember that cats are twilight animals, meaning they tend to be most active during dawn and dusk. This can disrupt your sleep if proper measures are not taken. Some tips include:
- Encourage daytime play: Increase your activity during the day so that you expend energy and feel more relaxed at night.
- Scheduled feeding: Feed your cat before bed to make him more willing to rest.
- Create a calm environment: Provide interactive toys and safe spaces where he can distract himself without having to turn to you.
If you are still facing problems, please consult this article for more tips on how to get your cat to let you rest at night.
Alternatives to sharing a bed
While sleeping with your cat can be tempting, it is not an option that is suitable for everyone. Some people choose to offer comfortable alternatives to their cats, such as heated beds or furniture designed specifically for them. These options not only reinforce their sense of ownership, but also provide them with a safe space and comfortable.
To learn how to teach your cat to use its bed, visit this link.
Whether you decide to share a bed with your cat or provide him with his own, the most important thing is to maintain good communication with your pet and ensure his people's wellbeingWith the right precautions, enjoying your cat's company at night can be a safe and endearing experience that strengthens the bond between you.
I have chickenpox, it can be spread to my cat.
Hello Gustavo.
In principle no, but it is best to consult a veterinarian to confirm it.
A greeting and you get better!
I have a cat and a cat ... and they sleep in our bed. It is the maximum. Feeling them close gives an incredible feeling of peace.
I have a kitten and one day the kitten got excited and began to meow as if someone had attacked her and came out terrified from where she was in a way she was spoiled from her hair and she was like a hunchback and as she spoke she was saying nononono and so she was x a for a little while and I was thinking that who attacked her could happen to her? ……………
Hi!
Mauricio: yes, indeed, sleeping with them is wonderful. An incredible experience.
Norma: what you say is curious. What was he doing at the time: sleeping or just observing what was going on around him? If you were sleeping, maybe you dreamed something that made you feel bad and react that way, like when we have very vivid dreams. And if it's the latter ... maybe there was something (sound, a person passing by, ..) that scared you.
It also occurs to me that he was playing. Sometimes cats have a behavior that, in our eyes, is strange.
Greetings and thanks for following.
Hi Ines.
Yes it's normal. It is the maximum expression of happiness and comfort.
A greeting!
Hello, how are you? For a few months I have a kitten and at this moment she is pregnant, and I have just adopted a sterilized cat, but they cannot see each other, they want to fight although I have not left them, is it because she is pregnant? ?… Will I return the kitten I adopted?… They are both about a year old
Hello Ariadna.
This behavior is normal among cats that do not know each other. Keep them in separate rooms, with a blanket, and every two-three days you exchange them. When you see that they feel comfortable with it, then you can move on to the next step, which is to see them, but from a safe place. In a corridor you can put a barrier of those for babies, which will allow them to see each other but being safe. Little by little you will get them, at least, to be accepted.
A greeting!
Hello everybody! I sleep hugging my Siamese cat for 8 years: I lie down and he comes with me to hug and cover him. Until I get up, he doesn't get up. It is a pleasure to fall asleep listening to its purr, the feeling of peace is unique. Greetings!
Hi. I have a 3 month old kitten, and she is used to sleeping in my bed. Soon my parents will come to visit and I have to donate the bed so that they can sleep there, since it will stay for 1 month. The problem is that they don't like to sleep with cats. What I can do?
Hi Catalina.
I would recommend that for a few days, you put a blanket or even a cat bed on your bed so that your cat gets used to sleeping on it. After a week, put the blanket or bed where you will have to sleep when your parents arrive, and ask them to keep the bedroom door closed. It can also be useful to put a little cat repellent in the entrance of the room.
This way your cat will not approach the room.
When they leave, you only have to clean with soap and water to remove the smell.
A greeting.
Good afternoon, I have a two-month-old cat and he wants to sleep in the crib of my son who is two years old, they told me it's bad but you say thank you
Hi Gissela.
Well, I'm not an expert 🙂, but I can tell you that my two nephews have been with my cats a lot when they were babies, and nothing has happened to them.
The important thing is that both - the baby and the cat - are in good health, and that the feline is dewormed, both inside and out. But otherwise, it doesn't have to be bad, on the contrary. The furry one will like to sleep in a warm bed next to a little human. Of course, you have to watch them from time to time to prevent them from hurting themselves - obviously, if it happened, it would be unintentionally.
A greeting.
I have a little kitten who doesn't want to sleep in his bed and I'm worried about how I make him sleep in his bed, tell me xfvor.
Hello Nataly.
It takes time, but little by little you will get it 🙂. You have to prevent him from getting on your bed, and grab him to take him to his as soon as he does. Afterward, give him some cat treat to associate his bed with something positive - the treat.
You will have to do it many times, but in the end he will understand that he has to sleep in his bed. You can spray the furniture and your bed with a cat repellent in the meantime; so it will stop climbing.
Cheer up.
Hello!! Blessings!! I have a kitten since it was days old. Today he is almost 2 months old and although he has his bed and also sleeps on the furniture, sometimes he wants to sleep with me in my bed. I am concerned that you say that there is no problem if you are vaccinated. My question is, at what age can I vaccinate him? How many vaccines are recommended? Can I sleep with him if I have not vaccinated him yet? It is very clean. I live on the second floor and do not know the street. His name is Mohamed Ali hehehe
Hi Joel.
It depends on each country. In Spain, for example, 4 vaccines are given, the first at two months of age. But in other places they put 2.
Regarding your last question: if the kitten is okay, there need be no problem. I myself sleep with a kitten who came home also days old, now she is going to be seven weeks old, and without problem.
A greeting. 🙂
Hello Monica. I have a two month old kitten and he has already slept about 4 days with me. However, he has taken too much confidence and now he is hitting me with his little hands in the face at night and catching on my back. As I see it, he wants to play but he hurts me… .. and he wrinkled my nose with his super sharp nails…
What do you think, is it normal for babies to do this or am I teaching it wrong?
Thank you very much
Hugs from Bogotá, Colombia
Hello Cristina.
Yes, it is normal for him to behave like this. But of course, when you hurt yourself you have to teach him that he cannot do it. The question is, how?
With a lot, a lot, a lot of patience. Every time he does that to you, get him off the bed. It will go up again, it will go back up, and you will lower it again.
You will have to lower it as many times as it misbehaves. You can be like this for half an hour, but in the end you will end up learning, I tell you from experience 🙂: one of my kittens -she is now 4 months old-, bit my hands and scratched me when I was in bed. After putting it down countless times, now it doesn't.
It is a matter of being constant and, above all, patient.
Cheer up.
Hello, I have two 4-month-old cats, they are already vaccinated and I put a pipette on both of them because they had fleas. 4 days passed and today I already saw a single flea on each one. Vacuum my apartment until today, every day, apply ecthol. Do fleas take a long time to be exterminated? I don't know whether to spray larvox with ease, or is that okay?
Good morning, today I just adopted a new 2-month-old kitten, the first thing he did when he got home was to hunt a mouse and start playing with his corpse, the kitten is very attached to me and does not sleep if it is not by my side.
I would like to know if this could have an impact on me, an illness or something.
Thank you
Hello Mario.
Not at the beginning. In any case, it will be enough that you clean his mouth with water, and take him to receive the vaccines. But nothing else.
I myself sleep with hunting cats, and nothing has ever happened. 🙂
A greeting.
Hi! I have two cats, the adult cat has just had babies and my other 7-month-old cat stopped approaching her when she gave birth (with babies it is worse) they fight and I have noticed that he is a little sad and does not want to eat. That's normal? Will it be jealousy? What I can do?
Hello Maria.
Are you neutered? I ask because at that age cats begin to have heat, and it may be that he is aggressive with her and with the puppies because he wants to mount her.
My advice is to get him castrated. This will calm down and the situation will improve.
A greeting.
Hello, I have a cat and a cat and I am going to neuter my cat this Wednesday. Could you sleep with me this week or not? Thank you
Hello Grace,
Of course, no problem. All the cats that I have had and have have slept and always sleep, well, where they want hehehe After castrating them I like to have them close at night, to have them more controlled.
The only thing, when they cast it, put an old blanket on your bed or, if you have, a bedspread / soak so that the sheets or anything else do not get dirty, and above all so that the animal is in a sterile place and there is still a risk minor infection.
Greetings.