Should You Allow Your Cat to Sleep in Your Bed (Pros and Cons)

Cat owners sleeping with their furry friend is quite common; in fact, over two-thirds of cat parents invite them to their beds. Cats are just cozy, soft, and cuddly. And their purring can stimulate the effects of white noise machines. Sleeping with your cat can give you a sense of security, both physically and emotionally.

But, do you know that sharing the bed with your feline pal can have a long term effect on your health? Well, as it turns out, you shouldn’t just sleep with your cat every night. There are several health issues that you must consider before inviting your cat to bed. So, before you invite him to your bed, please find out how his presence in your bed is affecting your health. 

Pros  

A Cat Can Help You Fall Asleep

Depending on your cat’s personality, it can help you fall to sleep or keep you up the whole night. One of the best ways to know his character is by learning how to read his body language. Your cat’s presence in your bed can help you calm your mind, forget about your stressful day, and finally fall asleep. Plus, its soft purr has a smooth, stimulating effect of a white-noise machine that will have you sleeping in no time. To avoid disruptions during sleeping time, you can have him play most of the day by evening he will be exhausted, says Cynthia Garcia from PFW. 

And scientists agree. Researchers studied 150 patients at Mayo Clinic’s Center-for-Sleep Medicine in Arizona. 56% of the patients allowed their pets to sleep with them while the rest slept alone. Of all the people who slept with their pets, 41% said that pets were beneficial to their sleep, while 20% said they were disruptive.

Reduces the Risk of Heart Diseases

A 10-year long study conducted by Minnesota University’s Stroke institute proved that sleeping with your cat can reduce the risk of heart attacks. The study, which was presented in 2008, included 4,435 Americans aged between 30 and 75years. Out of the 4,435 participants, 2,435 owned cats while the rest have never owned one. Over the 10 years, the study confirmed that the risk of death from heart failure among the cat owners was 30% lower than that of the people who didn’t own cats.

Cuddling with your cat after a long stressful day can help reduce your anxiety and stress level. That is because stroking and snuggling with our cats can cause your body to release oxytocin (happy hormones). The happy hormones boost can reduce your stress levels, thus lowering your heart rate. Snuggling with him in bed can help calm your mind and improve your moods; therefore, owning a cat ends up improving the health of your heart.

 

It Promotes Bonding

A study published in the Behavioral Processes journal confirmed that women have special bonds with their feline friends. According to the research, scientists observed the interaction between human families and their cats. And they discovered that cats are more likely to bond with females than men. Therefore, if your cat wants to sleep with you, don’t chase him away as it promotes bonding. It shows that your cat trusts you.

Cons

Disrupted Sleep

Unlike the sleeping facts for humans, our furry pals are champion sleepers as they can sleep for over 15 hours a day. However, their sleeping patterns are quite different from ours. Remember, most cats are active at night. So, don’t be surprised by your cat running all over your bedroom in the middle of the night. They can help you fall asleep and then wake you up at 2 am. Cats can prod and scratch you, at night for your attention, thus disrupting your sleep. However, some cats can sleep throughout the night while others are active at night.

Flea and Other Parasites

When sleeping with a cat, you are also sharing your bed with all the parasites your feline pal is harboring. If the cat plays outside, then ticks, intestinal parasites, and flea pose a significant threat to your health. Fleas don’t live on human beings, but they can bite you while you are sleeping, leaving you with some itchy welts. Talk to your veterinarian, learn the common signs of fleas, and find out what you can do to protect your family members and cat if your feline loves going outside.

Asthma and Allergies

Over 12% of Americans have cat allergies, which often results in breathing difficulties when they sleep in the same room with cats. Breathing difficulties can compromise your sleep, especially if you are sharing your bed with your pet. Therefore you should avoid sleeping with your cat if you have known allergies and give them their own cat bed or cat wheel. Most doctors can recommend that you get rid of your cat; however, there are other measures you can take. You can always keep your bedroom door closed and install an excellent HEPA filter to eliminate allergens while you are sleeping.

Exposure to the Litter Box Debris

A litter box is a dirty place, and the cat’s paws can capture a lot of debris, which can end up in your bedding. Even though the rubber mat can help reduce the amount of waste captured, the cat litter can still be tracked all over your home. So, if you want your bed clean, you must be ready to stop sleeping with your cat.

Risk of Disease Transmission

Sleeping next to your cat for over 8 hours means that you have a high probability of being exposed to its excretions and secretions. While the odds of contracting diseases from cats are low, people with weak immune systems, the elderly, and young children are at a greater risk. More than 25,000 individuals contract cat-scratch fever every year. Cat-scratch fever can be dangerous for people with compromised immunity systems. Other diseases that you can contract from your cats include toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis, among others. Human beings can also transmit viruses to cats; in fact, some domestic cats have already tested positive for COVID-19.

What to consider before cuddling with your cat?

Sleeping with your cat has several advantages and disadvantages, as we have just mentioned. And the decision on whether to sleep with your cat or not depends on you. But, if you have to sleep with him, there are several factors you must consider. Before inviting him to your bed, check if your cat is displaying any sign of illnesses. Some of the symptoms to look out for include skin rashes, hair loss, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, or vomiting, among others. If you notice any of these signs, then you should take him to the vet immediately. Always make sure your cat is healthy before taking him to bed with you.