Should Cats Be Allowed to Sleep on the Bed?

You’ve brought a cat into your home, and during his first night he crawls up into your bed to sleep with you. Should cats be allowed to sleep on the bed? Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this practice.

Advantages

Many pet owners prefer to let their cats sleep on the bed with them. There are a number of advantages to this. You may find that having your cat nearby is soothing, and actually helps you to sleep. A cat’s purr is a relaxing sound, and if you love having your cat nearby, then his presence may be reassuring and comforting. If your cat sleeps soundly and quietly during the night, then you may be able to let him sleep on the bed with no problems.

Disadvantages

On the other hand, there are potential disadvantages to letting your cat sleep on the bed. Some cats are quite restless sleepers, repositioning themselves frequently during the night. Your cat may knead you during the night, creating a painful awakening. If you are a light sleeper, these factors may negatively affect your sleep.

Your cat may also choose an inconvenient place in your bed to sleep. Having a cat pressed alongside your feed can be nice as you’re drifting off, but may make it difficult to shift during the night. You may find that you wake up stiff depending on where your cat slept, since you haven’t been moving as much as you normally would.

If you have allergies, having your cat sleep on the bed can make these allergies much worse. The same is true of asthma – the presence of your cat in your bedroom all night can aggravate these conditions, negatively affecting both your sleep and your health. If you have allergies or asthma, it is a wise chance to keep your cat out of your bedroom altogether.

Additionally, consider whether your cat is highly active at night. Cats naturally hunt during the dawn and dusk hours, so your cat may be leaving your bed and returning to it multiple times during the night. You may find that you’re woken up by these changes, leading to a poor quality night’s sleep.

The Ultimate Choice

The decision of whether or not to let your cat sleep on the bed is ultimately up to you. It’s important to consider your cat’s personality and sleep patterns when making this decision. Also think about how large your bed is and how lightly you tend to sleep. Can you get quality sleep with your cat in bed with you?