Should Your Cats Sleep With You?

Have you ever wondered how other cat owners would answer the question … “Do you let your cats sleep with you at night?

Well we decided to find out, so we ran a quick 24 hour survey on our Twitter feed and here’s what came back:

There were nearly 300 responses and 88% of them said ‘Yes’.  We’ll have to take that as an overwhelming majority!  >^..^<

Interestingly it seems that most people ask the question whether it’s healthy/advisable for people to let their cats sleep with them (more on that below), but few (if any) seem to ask whether it’s beneficial for the cats themselves. So we asked our pal and cat expert Dr. Lynn Bahr what she thought, and here’s what Lynn had to say:

“From a cat’s point of view, it’s completely natural to sleep with loved ones. During the first few weeks of their lives, kittens stay tightly knitted together for warmth, security and safety. For many, it is a habit they retain into adulthood choosing to curl up next to their owners for the same companionship and comfort they had when they were young.

Not only is sleeping with a cat good for humans, it is particularly good for the health and well-being of the cat too.” 

Sleeping together seems to be of benefit to both felines and us mere mortals…how’s that for good news!

Those of us in the majority already know that sleeping with our cats can certainly be calming, help release stress, and promote bonding with your cat. Unfortunately, sharing your bed with a cat isn’t always conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. This is because cats tend to be nocturnal, which can lead to some pretty irritating behaviors. Which cat owner haven’t been woken up by a cat pummeling their chest or nibbling on their toes?

Fear not – we have some invaluable tips to help you and kitty get enjoy a peaceful zzzzzzzzzz together!

Napping with Cats Guide

The infographic guide (below) is for the majority of us who sleep with our feline friends and it offers tips to help you get kitty sleeping peacefully in your bedroom. The guide offers tips on how to prepare your cat for bedtime and then outlines some negative behaviors and how to correct them.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Do Your Cats Sleep With You? If so, here’s a Guide to Getting a More Peaceful Night’s Sleep” quote=”Do Your Cats Sleep With You? If so, here’s a Guide to Getting a More Peaceful Night’s Sleep”]

Hopefully, this will enable you to have a good night’s sleep and have your cat share your bed. Although, if we’re honest, we all know the cat will get its own way in the end. They always do.

Credit: The above infographic was kindly provided by mattressonline

Summary

Go ahead and let your cat(s) sleep in bed with you.  Find the balance that works best in your household and enjoy the experience.  What’s your cat sleeping story?  Tell us by dropping a comment in the “Leave a Reply” box below.

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