Should You Sleep with Your Cat?

Before we bring a new cat home, we promise ourselves that we won’t let him into bed with us. But, then winter comes, and we feel bad for leaving him all alone. So, we let him come and keep us company. Many people aren’t sure if you can sleep with your cat, so we’re here to answer that question.

Cons of sleeping with your cat

First, we’ll detail the disadvantages of letting your cat sleep with you in your bed (or in the same room). The main issue has to do with hygiene. Although felines are cleaner than dogs, they also accumulate bacteria and viruses on their legs and genitals.

However, there’s a way to keep your pet from stepping on the sheets after leaving the sandbox. For example, you could let him sleep on an old blanket.

If you’re allergic to cats, then you probably shouldn’t have one. But, if you do decide to adopt a cat and you have to keep the windows open so his hairs don’t make you sneeze, you should forget about sleeping with him. It might sound harsh, but it’s the truth.

At night, you have to keep everything closed and, even if the animal is sleeping, his hairs will still make their way into the air. Once these reach your nose, you’ll be having adverse reactions all night.

Other reasons you shouldn’t sleep with your cat

Another reason why you might wake up in the middle of the night if you sleep with your cat is that cats are nocturnal animals! That’s why they sleep during the day and are more alert when the sun goes down. They’ll want to play or hunt, not stay by your side like a stuffed animal.

Also, in that regard, you have to be careful when sleeping with your cat. The slightest motion could make him jump on you as if you were prey he’s hunting. Cats can’t tell that there are feet and fingers under the blankets, so he won’t hesitate to scratch them when they move. Your own cat will be hunting you!

In addition to those with allergies, there are other groups of people that shouldn’t sleep with cats: asthmatics, babies, young children, and pregnant women.

If you’ve adopted a baby kitten, you should know that he’s going to miss his mother. So, at night, he’ll probably stay up crying and will stay close to you for warmth.

Advantages of sleeping with your cat

However, it’s not all bad news if you’re thinking about sleeping with your cat (in your bed or in the room). So, we’re also going to highlight the benefits of sleeping with your cat. 

Doing so will improve your relationship with your pet. Sharing an activity as beautiful as sleep with your cat will help you earn his respect, as well as his love. You might be the only person in the family that he spends time with.

It’s a great feeling to have your cat at the foot of the bed, especially when it’s cold and he warms your feet. Additionally, you might hear him purring from happiness, which will make you the happiest pet owner in the world. 

If your cat is calm and doesn’t sleep much throughout the day, he’ll be just as tired as you at night. So, all you’ll hear from him is his breathing and him settling into a comfortable spot. His calmness will be transmitted to you, and you’ll have a wonderful night’s sleep.

Are you one of those people who has a hard time waking up in the morning? Don’t worry because your cat will act like the perfect alarm. And, of course, you’ll always have someone to watch movies with in bed.

Conclusion

If you’ve weighed out the pros and cons, and have decided that you’d like your cat to sleep on your bed, then you’ll have to comply with a few ‘rules’:

• Brush him daily so you don’t end up with hair in your bed
• Change the sheets once a week
• Wash your pajamas every week
• Use an insecticide to repel parasites
• Stay up-to-date with your cat’s immunization schedule
• Clean your room thoroughly every week
• Put an old blanket down for him to lay on

Tell us about your experience sleeping with your cat!