Sleeping with cats is a common practice in different cultures and has prevailed over time. In addition, the lifestyle of the big city, which causes cats and people to share practically all the spaces inside the home, favors that these animals want to sleep with us However, it is very common for people to wonder if sleeping with a cat is bad, especially when they want to sleep with children or pregnant womenAre you also curious to know more about it?
We must know that, although it has certain he alth benefits, sleeping with a cat also has drawbacks that it is important to know about, as well as the risk of contagion of certain common diseases in cats. In this article on our site we will explain if sleeping with my cat is bad, all based on scientific studies and medical and veterinary disclosures. Leave behind the false myths!
Benefits of sleeping with cats
Those who are in favor of sharing a bed with their cats are aware that it is a routine that affects the well-being of both, that is, which is positive both for us and for them. In addition, there are also important emotional benefits that show that improves the relationship between guardian and cat, thus reflecting in a more positive, relaxed and affective coexistence.
In summary, the benefits of sleeping with cats are:
- The purring of cats helps us to reach a state of relaxation and tranquility that allows us to fall asleep more easily.
- Provides a greater sense of emotional security for both.
- The body temperature of cats, being higher than that of people, favors us to get warm in winter, thus helping to alleviate the coldest months of the year.
- Most cats that sleep with their owners have a more affectionate behavior, which positively affects coexistence and the relationship between both of them.
- To finish, we must know that waking up with our felines is also very positive. It helps us to start the day in a good mood.
But in addition, we should know that sleeping with cats is often very beneficial for children, since they find in felines a figure that it gives them security, satisfaction and relaxation In fact, the little ones tend to perceive their animals as "special friends" or as important members of the family who offer them affection, emotional support and positive interactions. They can also play an important role in the transition from sleeping in their parents' (or siblings') beds and their own.
Disadvantages of sleeping with a cat
However, not all are advantages when it comes to sleeping with cats. In fact, it is precisely for the reasons that we will detail below that there is doubt about whether sleeping with a cat is bad and we must also take them into account.
We will begin by talking about habituation, since it is very common for guardians to want to sleep with their cats when they are puppies, however, once they reach adulthood, they prefer that they do so in their own beds or in other rooms, which causes a high stress picture for the feline, who does not understand why he is being rejected and expelled from what he considered one of his "zones for sleeping". In any case, to teach a cat to sleep in its bed, it is advisable to use only positive reinforcement, for example through treats, kind words or caresses, which will cause less impact.
In this sense, it is advisable to think beforehand at the time of adoption and agree with all family members where the cat will sleepIn this way, if everyone encourages you to sleep in your own bed, it is very likely that you will accept it and not perceive it negatively.
Another important aspect is the quality of sleep, in fact, various studies indicate that some owners have trouble sleeping when they sleep with their cats, due for example to their high body temperature, scratches, nocturnal movements or hairs among others. In addition, it is also important to know that humans and cats have different sleep cycles, which means that this fundamental need can be interrupted and cause discomfort in both individuals.
Studies also indicate that cats that are aggressive, either towards other cats or towards humans, can increase this behavioral problem and even give rise to the appearance of new ones. Although it can be due to different causes, such as play behavior, redirected aggression, fear or predatory behavior, a cat may show aggression to maintain control over theresting area.
Other less common problems include lack of intimacy between couples, especially when one person in the relationship dislikes cats, or dependence on falling asleep, which can lead to short-term and long-term sleep problems.
Diseases transmitted by cats
In addition to the disadvantages mentioned, we must also take into account the diseases that cats transmit, especially when we talk about zoonotic diseases, that is, they are spread to humans and vice versa. Although any cat is susceptible to suffering from them, even those felines that live indoors, it is much more common in cats that have access to the outside
In summary we will explain some he alth problems of cats that can affect us and that would be a strong reason to decide that sleeping with my cat is bad:
Cat Diseases Transmitted to Humans
We must know that although the risk is relatively low when adequate preventive medicine is carried out in cats, there are some diseases that transmit cats, being more susceptible to children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Some of them are:
- Mushrooms
- Campylobacteriosis
- Infections
- Lyme's desease
- Rage
- Tub
- Scabies
Cat parasites
We should know that the most common intestinal parasites in cats are the nematodes(roundworms) such as Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Uncinaria stenocephala, and the cestodes (flatworms) such as Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniformes and Echinococcus granulosus. They are transmitted through fleas, lice or the ingestion of contaminated food and cause these worms to lodge in intestines and other organs , completing their biological cycle through feces, thus infecting other animals and people. Other microscopic parasites can be giardia or coccidia.
Special mention deserves the toxoplasmosis in cats, caused by the coccidium Toxoplasma gondii, sadly famous for its effects on fetuses. However, we must point out that contagion is very complicated, since it is transmitted through the raw meat of infected animals or from an infected cat to its young. It is easy to prevent its contagion and we can detect its presence with a simple test at the vet
On the other hand, the external parasites in cats are ticks, fleas, lice and mites, although there are others less common, such as screwworms, that infect wounds when flies or horseflies lay eggs in them. In turn, external parasites can act as vectors for internal parasites and other potentially serious diseases. In both cases we can prevent contagion through a deworming routine prescribed by the veterinarian.
Allergy to cats
Sleeping with our cats causes the allergens they release to remain in the mattress, even after changing the sheets. These are present in hair, slime, urine, feces, scales and other organic residues, invisible to the naked eye. They can favor the appearance of immunological responses of the body, as a result, people who share a bed with animals can develop allergies, asthma or hypersensitivity pneumonitis. To prevent it, the ideal is to buy anti-mite covers, sold in pharmacies, as they allow the mattress to be properly insulated, which is usually difficult to clean.
False myths about sleeping with cats
It is very common to hear that " sleeping with cats causes sterility" or that cat hair itself causes sterility. Derived from this, we can hear that "cat hairs cause diseases" or that "hairballs form inside people's bodies". We are talking about widespread statements but, nevertheless, they are completely false, because the truth is that cats do not cause sterility or he alth problems. There is no study or medical test to prove it.
They also say that " cats are bad for babies" and that cat hair can suffocate babies. Once again we are facing a myth, since both statements are completely falseEven so, taking into account that newborns are very sensitive, we can put a fence in the baby's crib to keep it out, until it has developed a little more.
Tips for safe sleeping with cats
Although most owners know the risks of sleeping with cats, they continue to do so. Aren't you going to stop sharing a bed with your cats either? Then take note of the final tips that we have prepared to make this routine as beneficial as possible:
- Prevent your cat from going outside: fighting between cats, the spread of various diseases and the transmission of parasites, external and internal. Of course, if your cat leaves the house regularly, you should progressively prevent access, while increasing the environmental enrichment to prevent their stress or anxiety levels from increasing, as well as carrying out daily play sessions to help channel the accumulated energy..
- Follow a brushing routine: it is highly recommended that you maintain a daily brushing routine, although you can also do it every two or three days. In addition to removing dead hair, you can quickly detect any disease, parasite or skin problem. Take a good look at your cat behind the ears, in the neck, armpits or groin.
- Go to your vet regularly: ideally, make a visit every 6 or 12 months at least, to ensure a good condition of he alth and do a control analysis. The specialist will also indicate the guidelines to follow the schedule of vaccinations for cats and periodic, internal and external deworming. Remember that even indoor cats can get it, through our clothes, for example.
- Perform proper home hygiene: clean blankets, sheets and carpets weekly, in addition to using maximum power vacuum cleaners that will help you reduce and eliminate mites present in sofa mattresses, beds and cushions.
- Guarantees the origin of the food: Regardless of whether you feed your cat a commercial balanced food or a raw diet (BARF), you must ensure that the raw materials are of quality and have undergone the relevant he alth controls. In addition, you should freeze raw meat before offering it or cook it lightly, to prevent the spread of any parasites or bacteria.
Now you know that sleeping with a cat is not bad, as long as the appropriate precautions are taken. However, if you have any doubts or want the specialist to prescribe the most appropriate and effective antiparasitic, don't hesitate to approach a veterinary clinic, where they will explain All you need to know.
