May a cat sleep in the bed?

(This article is rewritten from an old blog from japati.nl)

The days are getting colder and the heating is turned on again. We dress a bit warmer and in the evening we crawl deep under the covers. With a bit of luck, one or more cats will lie against you (or on top of you) so that you are even warmer. But is it actually a good idea to have a cat in bed? Let's look at the pros and cons.

Together with my boys in bed

Personally, I think it is a matter of opinion whether you choose to take the cats in bed or not. When I first moved here, I had decided that my boys were not allowed in my bedroom. I kept this up for a year (then Jamie unfortunately passed away) and decided to let the boys stay in my bedroom after all, which meant that they still sleep in my bed every now and then.

As a single person, I only have Sherry and the Boys to keep me warm, so I decided to let the boys stay in the bedroom too, because, to be honest, I just find it more cozy. Most nights Davy sleeps in bed, there are only a few nights when he's not. He has his own little spot next to me (on the other side of my bed). Sherry, when she's in bed, she sleeps against me and often between my legs. Not so bad until I want to turn...that's not possible. Murphy sleeps wherever he wants. Sometimes next to my legs and sometimes next to me (with Davy). Donnie is the only one who doesn't sleep in bed very often. Apparently he prefers to sleep somewhere else. That's not a problem either, of course.

Isn't an animal in bed dirty?

Let's be honest. It's not always hygienic. Cats can bring dirt, hair and (dirty) cat litter into your bed. In addition, I often find a (play) mouse or a spring in my bed because they sometimes find it necessary to play in bed. However, there are ways to minimize these risks, such as cleaning regularly and placing a blanket especially for your cat on your bed. For example, I have a blanket next to me that Davy always lies on.

And yet... I don't mind at all when they lie in bed with me. I even miss them when they're not there. I don't like that at all. Moreover, I want to emphasize that the advantages of cat company in bed can often outweigh the disadvantages. Many people experience an increased sense of security and relaxation with their pets nearby, which can contribute to a better quality of sleep.

Why don't I mind?

Every moment I get to spend with my boys is precious to me. I learned that in the year that the boys weren't allowed in my bed. They can be gone one day or another. I like it and it's cozy when they're next to me, and I feel very special.

Of course there are nights that I'd rather not have them in bed. Let's be honest, if they go to bed at 2 a.m. to play, I'd rather throw them out of my bedroom too, and sometimes I would. There are days that I've closed the door because they were so busy. Fortunately, those days are rare, but they do happen. Most days they're just sleeping next to me (or somewhere else in the bedroom - there's a nice scratching post for a reason). I love it and they can come to bed every day.

So, do you let your cats sleep with you? If so, why? If not, why not? Share your experiences and let's learn from them!