How to Share Your Bed with Your Cat and Still Sleep Well
Do you and your cat share a bed? About 80% of cat owners say they share their bed with their furry feline but it has definitely cost every one of us some sleep at one point or another. More cat parents probably would share their bed if they could still sleep well with their fur baby by their side. If your cat has ever walked across your face at 3 am and then had the zoomies around the bedroom, these tips should help you share your bed with your cat & still sleep well.
Keep Your Cat Active
One of the best ways to get your cats ready for some zzz’s at night is to keep them entertained throughout the day! Have a few play sessions with their favorite toys and leave some toys out for them to play with by themselves as well. (Just make sure to put away the noisy ones before bedtime.) Your cats should also have access 24/7 to some cat furniture to run up, scratch, and climb on. Even if you’re not home during the day, your cats can keep themselves entertained with some toys and furniture. Make sure to get out any last bursts of energy by having a final play session right before bed. Doing this regularly will get your cat into a routine and will hopefully teach them when bedtime is. Check out some of the best selling cat toys!
Feed Your Cat Before Bed
Feeding your cats a hearty meal before bed will make them want to curl up and take a catnap. So, try pushing back dinner time just a little bit or split their dinner into 2 parts and see if that helps them settle down for a snooze along with you. You don’t have to switch up the rest of your feeding routine if you also feed them in the morning and/or feed freely throughout the day, just make sure they aren’t hungry when it comes to bedtime!
Does your cat not join you to sleep as often as you’d like?
Place Cat Wall Shelves Near Your Bed
Do your cats want to be near you when you go to sleep but not too close? Try hanging up some cat wall shelves by the bed to get them a little closer! Cat shelves are a great way to give your cat a little space of their own while also giving them the height that they love. The Lotus Leaf Cat Shelf from The Refined Feline is a modern cat shelf that comes in multiple wood finishes made to match your decor. The white color even comes with a furry faux fur carpeting to keep your kitty snoozing in comfort and style.
Find Out What Your Cat Likes to Sleep On
Does your cat not want to share the bed? Cats can get comfortable in the most random of places but many cats tend to have a favorite spot or material that they like to sleep on/in. If you want to encourage your cat to join you on the bed, try adding a comfy blanket, or a cozy sweatshirt that smells like you. You can even try enticing your cat to join you with a couple of treats (although your cat may get used to this treatment and expect it every night!)
Don’t Give in To Naughty Behavior
Cats are nocturnal by nature so we definitely have to manage both our own schedule and there’s a little bit to make sleeping peacefully together work for both parties. If your cat likes to yowl at you for attention in the middle of the night or swat you in the face randomly, try your best not to react. Do not reward your cat for these behaviors with attention or food. You can also sternly say no and remove your cat from your bed if this behavior continues. While cats can take a little longer to train than dogs (just out of spite of course) this behavior should eventually subside if you are consistent with your response.
Cat Sleep Facts
Just like humans, cats can experience both rem sleep and & non-rem sleep. You’ll often see cats twitch or move when they are dreaming in REM sleep. Cats never let their guard down though, they are still in fight or flight mode even while asleep!
Have you ever noticed a pattern between your cat’s sleep and the weather? Many cats’ sleeping habits are affected by the weather, just like many humans. Cats tend to sleep even more than usual during rain or bad weather. Some cats even snore, but it’s only worrisome if they have other respiratory issues. Hopefully, with these tips, you can share your bed with your cat and still sleep well!
