Cats adore humans just as much as dogs do, even though they appear distant at times. Your cat may choose to show you how much they care by sleeping in your bed. When your cat sleeps with you all of the time, it’s a sign that they appreciate snuggling and are happy to be with you.
This is especially true if you met your cat between the ages of 4 and 9 weeks when cat imprinting takes place. If you were a consistent and loving presence over this period, you are likely to have left an impression on them and earned their total devotion and trust.
Read this article why does my cat lay on my chest to understand your best friend and loveable feline better in terms of their psychological and social behaviour.
Cats are masters of sleep, sleeping up to 15 hours every day. They’ve probably tried napping in every corner of your house, so they know which surfaces are the most comfortable, warmest, and ideal for napping. It’s understandable if they try to sleep in your bed.
All the blankets and pillows you place on your bed for yourself just add to your cat’s appeal. Why wouldn’t they want to sleep in your bed if you do?
In this article, we are going to discuss both the sides, pros, and cons of having your cat as a sleeping partner. And then let you decide because you are the owner and responsible for all decision-making for your feline sleeping beauty.
Pros of Sleeping With a Cat
- Reduce Stress
Cats assist with stress reduction. Petting and cuddling raise oxytocin levels while lowering cortisol levels (a stress hormone). These advantages lead to decreased blood pressure and improved coping skills. Allowing your cat onto your bed at the end of a long day is a wonderful way to rest and relax.
- Sense of Security
Cats are excellent in reducing anxiety and depression. Snuggling up with your cat may help you relax and enhance your mood, especially if you’re having a bad Sunday. Remember the tale about the cat who alerted its owners to a gas leak? Although guard dogs receive the most attention, cats are also rather amazing.
According to the study, individuals who allowed their cats to lie on their beds did so because it provided them with security, company, or relaxation.
- No lonely feeling
Having a vacant and sad feeling is quite common when you sleep alone at night. To get the company of a kitty is not at all a bad idea. You could have a cuddly pet who thrives on being close to you. We think having your kitten in bed with you is nice and reassuring if it makes your pet happy and doesn’t interfere with your bedtime.
- Increase Bond and Love
Your friends call you “the cat woman” in jest, but they could be right. Women and their cats share a particular affinity, according to a study published in the journal Behavioural Processes. The relationships between 41 cats and their human families were monitored for the study.
Cats were more likely than males to approach women, and these connections were “more intense.” Don’t deny your cat the opportunity to spend as much time with you as possible.
- Helps in Sound Sleep
According to several studies, the purring sound of a cat is proven medically to be calming to the ears. It can help you fall asleep if your cat calms down at a respectable hour. Many animals enjoy napping around their head or feet. If you place them around your legs or torso, they will behave as a weighted blanket, which has been proved to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and encourage healthy sleep cycles.
Cons of Sleeping With a Cat
- Nocturnal Instincts
Cats are unmistakably nocturnal, as evidenced by their constant meowing or activity. While they are renowned for being independent, some are high maintenance and bossy; nonetheless, if you can stay asleep during their nighttime activities, your bedtime will most likely be impacted. However, if your furry buddy is keeping you up at night, you may need to create some new ground rules.
- Risk of Allergies and Asthma
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, up to 30% of people have an allergic reaction to cats or dogs, and allergies to cats are twice as prevalent as reactions to dogs, according to specialists. If someone is allergic to cats, doctors recommend removing them from the home, but there are less extreme measures you may take to alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms. You may remove allergy and asthma triggers while sleeping by closing your bedroom door and using a decent HEPA filter.
- Playful by Nature
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active in the morning and evening. However, because their prey is most active at night, some house cats who started as strays or spend a lot of time outside may adopt the habit of being most active at night. Hence, it explains all the hyperactivity and playfulness they display right after midnight.
- Disturbs Sleep
Cats are excellent sleepers, but their sleep cycles differ from ours. A cat who sleeps all day can be up at 2 a.m., rushing around the room and leaping from the furniture. They are noise-maker who continuously meows you until you wake and feed them food. Perhaps they are hungry. Cats may also snore, scratch, or just prod you for attention as you sleep, interfering with your ability to obtain a decent night’s sleep and leaving you sleepy and lethargic the next day.
- Destructive Behaviour
Cats are creatures of habit, and they have a difficult time adapting to changes in their surroundings. If you abruptly decide that you no longer want your cat to sleep on your bed, the animal may react by clawing furniture and spraying to reclaim its territory.
The Bottom line
Yes, there are certain hazards to sleeping with your cat—but as long as you’re aware of them, it’s OK! “ If you aren’t allergic and your cat sleeps quietly at night, snuggle up with him or her.
