Sharing a bed with your cat: pleasure or risk?

For many cat owners, sleeping alongside their purring companion is the very essence of closeness and comfort. The sweet sight of a cat curled up at your feet or on the pillow can warm the heart. Before you decide to share your bed with your furry friend, though, there are a few things worth thinking about. Is it always a good idea? Are there risks we ought to know about? This article will help you make an informed decision by weighing up both the benefits and the potential risks.

The benefits of sleeping with your cat

For many people, sleeping with a cat brings a whole range of positive experiences. Above all, it strengthens the bond between you and your pet. Cats are animals that value warmth and closeness, and a shared bed is a sign of trust and security for them. Having a cat in the bed can be soothing and relaxing. A cat’s purr, known for its therapeutic qualities, can help reduce stress and anxiety and even improve the quality of your sleep. The warmth and softness of a cat’s fur is an added comfort for many people and makes it easier to drift off. What is more, cats are creatures of routine, so if they get used to sleeping with you it can become a pleasant daily ritual.

Potential risks and drawbacks

For all its benefits, sharing a bed with a cat also carries certain risks that every owner ought to know about.

Hygiene and health

The most important issue is parasites in cats and germs. Even indoor cats can carry fleas, ticks, mites or skin fungi that may pass to humans. Internal parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms are a threat too, especially to children and people with weakened immunity. Always keep up with regular worming and flea and tick prevention. A cat’s fur and skin flakes are also powerful allergens. If you or someone in your household is allergic to cat hair, sharing a bed can worsen symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, itchy eyes or breathing difficulties.

Disturbed sleep

Cats are nocturnal, or at least follow a shifting activity cycle. They may be busy at night, jumping about, purring loudly, playing and even walking across you. This can disturb your sleep and leave you tired and short of rest. Cats can also take up a good deal of room in the bed, and their sudden movements may wake you.

Safety

For very young children and babies, sleeping with a cat can pose a risk of suffocation if the cat happens to lie on the child’s face. Caution is always needed, and cats should not be allowed to sleep alongside infants.

How to minimise the risks

If you decide to share your bed with your cat, there are several ways to minimise the potential risks and keep everyone in the household safe:

• Regular veterinary visits: make sure your cat is wormed regularly and protected against external parasites (fleas and ticks).
• Keeping your cat clean: regular baths (if your cat will tolerate them) and brushing will help reduce the amount of hair and allergens in the bedroom. Keep the litter tray clean too.
• Personal hygiene: wash your hands after handling your cat, and especially before bed.
• Allergies: if you suspect an allergy, see a doctor. It may prove necessary to keep the cat out of the bedroom.
• An alternative bed: give your cat its own comfortable bed in the bedroom, so it has an option if you would rather it did not sleep in your bed every night, or if its night-time activity disturbs you.
• Boundaries: set clear rules about where the cat may and may not sleep. You might, for example, allow it on the bed but not under the duvet.
• Children: never leave babies or small children in bed with a cat unsupervised.

In short, whether to sleep with your cat is a personal decision. Weigh up all the pros and cons, but above all use common sense and look after hygiene and health, both your own and your pet’s.