For those with a cat at home, cuddling with them can be a rejuvenating experience for both of you, strengthening your bond over time. However, you might have wondered if it is safe for your cat to share your bed with you. Many pet owners sleep with their pets right by their side every single night as a source of comfort. In fact, 50% of all pet owners have their pets in bed with them and allow bed-sharing.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits and challenges of bed-sharing with cats, you have come to the right place. We’ll discuss the benefits of bed-sharing with a cat, the potential challenges you might face, and how you can take steps to enjoy a harmonious bed-sharing experience that benefits both you and your furry friends. Let’s first look at the many reasons why people love sharing their bed with their cat at night.
The Benefits of Sharing a Bed with a Cat
As you probably have guessed, there are several benefits to sharing a bed with a cat that can make the choice to invite them in at night a worthy one. For starters, as mentioned, sharing your bed with your cat is a comforting experience that can only further enhance your bond. The more time you spend cuddled up with your cat—whether they hold onto you or choose to sit at the end of your bed by your feet—the closer you’ll become.
Not only that, but reports say that bed-sharing—in general—can improve subjective sleep quality. However, it should be noted that the difference between subjective sleep quality for those with pets and those without was not too much in this study, barely a marginal difference (Source: PubMed). So, you can expect to feel more rested, but you’ll also experience psychological and emotional benefits.
You might not know this, but a cat’s purr is actually beneficial and a sign of its happiness. Some people believe that cats purr to help heal their human counterparts, but studies have confirmed that cats are strong in their socio-cognitive capabilities. They can read our emotions, ultimately mirroring us or supporting our needs (Source: PubMed). This may help us feel less lonely, potentially less stressed, and more.
One study from the recent pandemic showed that having pets around as companions can help benefit us in astronomical ways, mainly by lowering our stress, heart rate, and blood pressure. We may even improve our self-esteem and view our relationships with our pets as similar to our human friends, limiting our loneliness, even during difficult times. So, if you sleep with your cat at night, you could benefit from all of this! But there are still challenges we have yet to uncover.
The Potential Challenges of Sleeping with Your Cat
As fun as it is to sleep with your furry companion, we are not all that compatible when it comes to our sleeping habits, and there may be some health implications. Unfortunately, one of the most significant drawbacks of allowing your cat to sleep in your bedroom with you or even on your bed is the fact that they are nocturnal. They have a completely different schedule than us humans, often sleeping heavily in the afternoon and then being up throughout the night.
Fortunately, there will be some expected disruptions, but no more than that if you were also sleeping with a human partner in bed. Some people even felt less security or comfort with a cat in bed than they did with their dog nearby them, but this was only a portion of the study’s participants who felt this way. Another study said that 20% of pet owners in one study felt their pets were disruptive. So, the big issue many people first notice is disruptive sleep, but there are some health issues that could come with pets in the bedroom, too.
If you have an allergy to cats or pet dander, you have likely avoided having pets in your bed. If you do have them in your bed and you have an allergy, this could only further exacerbate your challenges. Yet perhaps the most unfortunate situation that makes many people reconsider their pets being in bed with them is the presence of fleas. Other parasites like salmonella and other viruses have also been found on healthy cars before, often in the fur, footpads, and animal beds, or even on the bedspread (Source: PubMed).
This presents a known health risk, especially to those who are younger, immunocompromised, or elderly. If your pet has a bad dream or becomes too aggressive, you could also be scratched or bitten overnight. It is unfortunate that there are so many risks associated with sharing your bed with your cat, but you can take steps to make it easier and more comfortable for both of you.
How to Create a Harmonious Co-Sleeping Experience
If you would like your cat to spend time in bed with you, there are several things you can do to achieve a harmonious nightly routine without putting either of you in a poor position:
- Establish Boundaries: Try to train your cat to sleep at the foot of the bed so that potential pathogens are limited to one area. You can also set up a pet bed in the room for them instead.
- Make the Space Cat Friendly: If you know that they disrupt your sleep or wake you up often, leave plenty of toys out overnight so that they can entertain themselves and avoid waking you up.
- Ensure Cleanliness: Above all else, make sure you’re regularly bathing your cat and ensuring that they are grooming themselves. Clean your bed and theirs often to reduce allergens and pathogens.
With these steps, you can encourage better sleep. However, if you find it is not working out, don’t be afraid to seek out alternatives to prioritize your rest and your bond with your cat.
Protect Your Health and Create an Optimal Co-Sleeping Arrangement
With all the benefits of sleeping with your furry friend, it is worth trying to find a way to enjoy the overnight cuddles and purring nearby. However, be mindful of the challenges and consistently seek to protect your health and rest first. What steps will you take to improve your co-sleeping arrangement?
