Many cat owners allow their feline friends to sleep in bed with them. While this may seem like a cozy arrangement, there are some compelling reasons not to let your cat sleep in your bed. In this article, we’ll explore the potential drawbacks and offer some alternatives to sharing your sleeping space with your furry companion.
Should I Let My Cat Sleep in My Bed?
This is a common question many cat owners wrestle with. On the one hand, it can feel nice to snuggle up with your purring pal at night. But on the other hand, there are some legitimate downsides to allowing your cat access to your bed that are worth considering. Here are some of the key factors to weigh when deciding if your cat should sleep with you:
Pros
- Bonding – Sleeping together can increase the bond between you and your cat.
- Comfort – Some cats and owners find it soothing and comfortable to sleep near each other.
- Security – Your cat may feel more secure sleeping beside you in your bed.
Cons
- Disrupted sleep – Cats may walk on you, meow, or otherwise disrupt your sleep at night.
- Allergies – Cat dander on your bedding can aggravate allergies.
- Hygiene – Cats can transmit dirt and parasites into your bed from their paws and fur.
- Accidents – Your cat may occasionally urinate, defecate, or vomit on your bed.
As you can see, there are reasonable arguments on both sides of the issue. You’ll need to weigh these pros and cons relative to your own situation to decide what works best.
5 Reasons Not to Let Your Cat Sleep in Your Bed
While the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are some compelling reasons you may want to reconsider letting your cat sleep in bed with you. Here are five of the top arguments against bed-sharing with cats:
1. Disrupted Sleep
Cats are naturally most active at dawn and dusk. This means they are primed to be up and on the move while you’re trying to sleep. A cat sleeping in your bed may walk across you, knead and claw at blankets, or even playfully bat and nibble on you while you’re trying to rest. This can seriously reduce the quality of sleep you get.
2. Cat Fur and Dander
Letting your cat sleep in your sheets and blankets will cover them in fur and dander. This can be a major irritant for those with allergies. The proteins in cat saliva, skin cells and fur can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The closer the source is to your face, the more aggravated your allergies may become.
3. Unhygienic Environment
Cats groom themselves frequently, but that doesn’t mean they are clean. Dirt, germs, parasites like fleas and ticks, and even litter from your cat’s box can get into your bed. These can be transferred from your cat’s paws or coat. Such contaminants can lead to infections, itchy rashes or other health issues.
4. Litter Box Paws
Along similar lines, those litter-filled paws are another hygiene hazard. While litter helps keep your cat’s bathroom area clean, bits of it can cling to your cat’s paws and get tracked through your home and into your sheets. This exposes you to germs and odors you don’t want where you sleep.
5. Potential Damage
Your cat may damage your mattress, bedding or pillows while sleeping in your bed. Cats have a natural instinct to scratch and knead. This can cause tears or holes in fabric surfaces. They also sometimes bite or suckle on soft materials like blankets and pillows. Waking up to find your favorite pillow shredded or soggy is no fun!
Health Risks of Letting Cats Sleep in Your Bed
Beyond just disrupting your sleep, having a cat share your bed can potentially introduce some health concerns. Here are a few of the main health risks to consider:
Parasites
Cats can harbor fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and other parasites that can be transmitted to humans. These parasites can lead to uncomfortable bites or rashes or even more serious infections. Letting a cat sleep in your bed gives these parasites easy access to take up residence in your sheets or on your body. Regular parasite prevention medication greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, this risk.
Cat Scratch Fever
Bartonella henselae is a bacteria carried in cat saliva that can be transmitted through scratches. In humans, it causes cat scratch fever – whose symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever. Keeping your cat out of your bed reduces the chance you could get scratched at night and contract this disease.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite sometimes carried by cats that can infect humans. For those with weakened immune systems, toxoplasmosis can become a serious condition causing flu-like symptoms, brain and eye damage, and more. While rare, sharing a bed with a cat does slightly increase your exposure to this parasite.
Asthma & Allergies
Allergens in cat dander, saliva and urine can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions in sensitive people. Letting your cat sleep in your bed puts these allergens in direct contact with your nose and lungs while you breathe deeply during sleep. For asthma and allergy sufferers, this can mean disrupted rest and aggravated symptoms.
Bites & Scratches
Even the most mild-mannered cat may become startled or react while sleeping near a human moving around in bed. This can sometimes lead to bites or scratches. Cat bites have high risk of becoming infected due to bacteria in their mouths. Preventing your cat from sleeping in the bed eliminates this nighttime bite and scratch risk.
Alternatives to Letting Your Cat Sleep in Your Bed
If you are ready to establish some boundaries with your bed-hopping feline, here are a few great options to consider instead:
Cat Bed
Providing an inviting, cozy cat bed is a great alternative to letting your kitty sleep in your bed. Place it in or near your bedroom so your cat can still feel close to you. Choose a cushioned bed with raised sides your cat can snuggle into. Top it with a familiar old shirt or blanket bearing your scent.
Cat Tree/Condo
Another comfy sleeping spot cats love are cat trees or condos with built-in beds or hammocks. The vertical space appeals to cats natural climbing instincts. Elevated beds let them survey their domain. Place a tree beside your bed so your cat can still be close while respecting boundaries.
Catio
For cats that enjoy snoozing outdoors, a catio – or screened-in outdoor enclosure – can be ideal. Your cat can lounge in the fresh air and you don’t have to worry about them roaming loose or bringing outdoor allergens into your bedroom. Install a sleep space like a hammock or bench in the catio for optimal cat napping.
Bedtime Routines
Establishing positive bedtime routines with your cat can also help provide them a sense of closeness and comfort without bed sharing. Activities like evening play sessions, brushing/grooming them before bed, or feeding them an evening snack help create a ritual that leads up to quality co-sleeping apart.
How to Keep Your Cat Out of Your Bed
Once you’ve decided it’s best not to share your sleeping space with your cat, you’ll need to take proactive steps to keep them from crawling under the covers. Here are some smart tactics to try:
Close the Door
Shutting your bedroom door at night is the simplest way to physically block your cat from entry. Make sure their bed, litter box, water and any toys or scratching posts are set up in another room beforehand.
Use Deterrents
There are various anti-cat bedding products available that deter cats from jumping on furniture. These include scat mats that give a mild static shock, aluminum foil, double-sided sticky tape, citrus-scented sprays, and more. Test different options to see what works best for your cat.
Reward Alternative Sleep Spots
If you find your cat sleeping contentedly in its new bed, catio or cat tree, be sure to reward the behavior with treats, praise and affection. This positive reinforcement will encourage them to choose the approved sleeping areas.
Exercise & Play Before Bed
Make sure your cat gets adequate exercise and playtime during the evening to wear them out before bed. Interactive toys and vigorous play will help them fall asleep quickly in their new nighttime spot, instead of becoming restless.
Remove Rewards
Don’t give your cat any affection, attention or treats if you find them in your bed where they’re not supposed to be. This removes potential rewards for the undesirable behavior. Quickly but calmly take them back to their proper sleeping space whenever they sneak in.
Training Your Cat to Sleep in Its Own Bed
While it may take time and patience, you can train your cat to retire to its own bed at night instead of trying to take over yours. Here are some effective tips:
Start Early
It’s easiest to begin training your cat to sleep independently as early as possible, before bad habits develop. But don’t worry, even senior cats can learn new tricks with consistent positive reinforcement training.
Choose a Transition Zone
Rather than having your cat go from sleeping in bed with you to a totally different room, pick a transitional zone. This could be a cat bed on the floor right next to your bed to start.
Gradually Move the Bed
Once your cat is consistently sleeping in its new bed next to yours through the night, begin slowly moving the bed a little further away each week. Keep going until it is comfortably out of your bedroom.
Use Familiar Bedding
Rubbing a favorite old blanket or piece of clothing you’ve worn on the cat’s new bed helps the spot seem more familiar, welcoming and smells like their preferred human.
Positive Reinforcement
Whenever you see your cat sleeping in its designated new bed during its training, immediately provide positive reinforcement. Offer treats, pampering, verbal praise and affection to reward the behavior you want to encourage.
Be Patient
Don’t expect an overnight miracle. It may take several weeks or even months of consistent training and reinforcement for your cat to learn to sleep soundly in its own bed. Stick with it and eventually your furry friend will get on board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions cat owners have about letting their feline sleep in bed with them:
Is it safe to have a newborn baby and a cat sleep in your bed?
No, it is not recommended to allow cats to sleep in the same bed as human babies. A cat could accidentally smother an infant while sleeping near them. Kitties may also try to climb into the baby’s crib, which is very hazardous.
Will my cat feel rejected if I don’t let them sleep with me anymore?
Your cat may be a little confused by the new rule at first. But as long as you provide them with a comfortable alternative sleeping space and give them plenty of daytime cuddles and playtime, they will adjust without feeling rejected. Reinforce the new arrangement with consistent positive rewards.
Can I compromise by just letting my cat sleep at my feet?
It’s possible to train your cat to sleep at your feet, but not an ideal compromise. Even down by your feet, the cat can still disrupt your sleep, trigger allergies, and bring grime into the bed. It’s best to provide them an entirely separate sleeping space.
What if my cat meows and scratches at my door at night?
Expect some initial protest like vocal meowing and door scratching when you first exclude your cat from your bedroom at night. Try to ignore the behavior rather than reinforce it with any attention. Also ensure your cat has everything it needs at night – food, water, clean litter box, etc. – to help minimize distress.
Can I compromise by just keeping my cat off the pillows and sheets?
While better than letting your cat sleep directly on your pillow, having them sleep atop a blanket at the foot of the bed still brings many of the same risks of allergens, parasites, dirt and disrupted sleep. It’s best to provide them their own dedicated sleeping space altogether.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, whether to allow your furry companion to sleep snuggled up in your bed or not comes down to your own preferences and tolerance for the risks involved. While the idea of sharing slumber with pets is appealing for many cat lovers, there are some legitimate health, hygiene and sleep quality arguments for setting this boundary. If you do opt to keep your kitty out of your bed, be sure to provide them with a comfortable alternative sleeping space nearby and use positive reinforcement training. With time, both you and your cat can adjust to new co-sleeping arrangements that leave you both rested and healthy.