Co-sleeping with a cat: how to succeed

Whether you can sleep with your cat depends most of all on the characteristics of her character. Some pets are quite unassuming and will sleep anywhere they are directed without much displeasure. Others will demand a place on a large soft bed in your bedroom. (And you, if you behave, you can lie down next to me.)

If you have a good-natured cat, sleeping next to her will seem very pleasant and cozy to you. If she is unceremonious, steals a blanket and pushes you out of bed, you will most likely have to work hard to get her way.

The first step in dealing with a naughty cat is to remove it from the bed and move it to a special place where it can sleep. Make it clear and firm that she is not allowed to command here. If that doesn’t help, try moving her to a bed outside the bedroom and closing the door. You will most likely hear her meowing and scratching at the door in annoyance, so be prepared to ignore it. If you give up, the cat will very quickly realize that in this way she can achieve everything she wants.

For owners of calm cats, pets can turn into alarm clocks that cannot be set for a specific time. Cats are by nature crepuscular animals, which means they like to get up at dawn, usually a few hours before a person.

At this time, they are often in the mood to play (read “hunt”), so legs, fingers or other limbs protruding from under the covers can quickly become their “prey”. If your cat is actively hunting when you are trying to sleep, make sure there are some toys around, and preferably no bells!

Also make sure that the cat lives according to your morning schedule. When she wakes up, try not to indulge her desires – feed her only when you get up, and play only when you yourself are ready to get up. If she realizes that she can get what she wants at four in the morning, then she will most likely continue to demand it. When she remembers that she will get what she needs only after you get up, you will have a better chance that your sleep will not be disturbed later.

Play with her before bed, let her get more tired before you both go to bed. Good exercise for your cat will help her fall asleep and sleep longer—and you’ll have more time to sleep too.

Do you let your cat fight for space in the bed, do you end up sleeping on the couch, or do you send her to a luxurious cat bed? Tell us about it on our Facebook page!