Why My Feline Friends Won't share My Bed: An Uncensored Chat on the Perks and Pitfalls
- Penned down by Annette Berger
- ⏱️ ~2 Mins
Is it Acceptable to Have a Cat in Bed: A Case for Separation? - Should a feline share human sleeping quarters? Opinions welcome.
A cat snuggled up next to you - it sounds like a dream come true, right? But, by God, it had the opposite effect on me! My mornings were once tranquil until one feline bullet train blessed my bed with its persistently purring presence. Trust me, this cat knew our sleeping sanctuary was off-limits - yet it'd shake my peaceful slumber with a relentless series of rumblings.
For those who know me, avid cat enthusiasts, my stance on sharing human beds with animals might come as a surprise. And with good reason - here are three reasons that make my case against the fusion of humans and beasts in our cozy resting spots: Discomfort, sleep interruptions, and, you guessed it, hygiene.
Cats: Impeccably Clean... (Sort of)
Okay, let's start with the sanitation sweep. Cats, they're so neat, right? But, don't let the purring charm fool you! Paw prints, mud, and sand barely keep them down. Just imagine these gritty remains as their bedtime treat of choice, nestled in the comfort of your beddings. Not an ideal morning surprise, is it?
However, indoor cats, faithfully dosing themselves with parasite treatments, curl up in designated areas of our abode. One of those favored spots happens to be a small sofa I've long since abandoned. Whenever someone dares to sit beside Spots, prepare to face an annoyed stare. The sofa, it seems, belongs to the cat, and intruders are not welcomed. This diva even prefers a clean-up routine - a fresh towel, pronto!
The Cat's Out of the Bag
Sharing a bed with a cat is like sharing a room with an English breakfast tea set: it starts off cozy, but gets uncomfortable as time goes by. Initially, the feline jumps onto the battlefield as a dainty ball of fur, leaving you undisturbed. But as the evening morphs into the dead of night, it stretches to its full glory, taking up your share of the blanket. Not to mention the oh-so-soothing soundtrack of its snoring.
Lastly, there's the circadian rhythm conundrum. At around the crack of dawn, our feline friend springs into action, ready for outdoor exploration. Meanwhile, human bones ache for the gentle grasp of a morning slow start - the last thing I need is a daring, cheerful tread right over my weary body!
So, perhaps I ought to invite Whiskers for a daytime snooze on that forsaken couch. I should try it someday… just not today.
Sources: "Focus", Article on Zooplus
Feeling curious? Check out our picture gallery to learn how cats reveal their affections - even the mostaloof kitty gamely surrenders to affection through subtle body language.
- Cat
- Bed
- Sleeping Place
- Veterinary Clinic
Bonus Insights:
It's worth noting that cats can carry parasites and pathogens from the outdoors, posing potential health risks for humans, especially those with compromised immune systems[1][2]. Cats shed dander and allergens, which may aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma_[1][2]]. Regular grooming can help transfer bacteria from a cat's fur to human sleeping spaces, causing infections_[1]. To minimize risks, consider restricting cats' access to bedrooms, providing separate sleeping areas, maintaining cleanliness, and consulting a veterinarian for regular check-ups.
- Under the community policy for cohabitation between cats and humans, it's advisable to maintain separate sleeping places, given the potential health risks, such as the transfer of allergens and pathogens, particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems.
- In the context of the aforementioned article on Zooplus, it was revealed that snoring is one of the cons that come with sharing a bed with a cat, since their yoga-like stretches during the night tend to take up the blanket space, making sleep uncomfortable.
- As part of the vaccination and parasite treatment routine for indoor cats, they can be trained to avoid certain spaces, like the bed, by offering alternative arrangements for their rest, like a designated area away from the bedroom, ensuring a more peaceful and hygienic solution for both the cats and their human counterparts undergoing vocational training in the art of living with felines.
