Cats are nocturnal animals, which cannot be said about most owners. Therefore, sleeping together often turns into entertainment for cats and a test for people. At first glance, the solution to the problem is simple: close the door to the bedroom. But instead of relief, everything only gets worse : the night's rest is interrupted by desperate meowing, grinding and unsuccessful attempts to get into the bedroom. How to solve a problem? We tell you how to wean a cat from sleeping with its owner and not disturbing him at night.
What draws a cat to bed?
There are several reasons why a cat wants to sleep next to its owner. They are explained by both physiology and psychology.
- Firstly, cats strive for warmth, because the bed is warm and cozy. This is explained by the increased sensitivity of feline temperature receptors. It's never too warm for a cat.
- Secondly, the cat remembers the warmth of its mother’s body, especially if it is small. The animal perceives the owner as a mother cat and seeks a safe refuge in the owner's bed. The cat is confident in its safety next to a person.
- Thirdly, the cat approves of a person’s choice of bed as the best and most comfortable place to rest. After all, the owner feels good in bed.
Sleeping together can bring pleasant emotions to cat owners. But there are situations when it is absolutely necessary to wean a cat from sleeping in bed - you should not come to a pregnant woman, a child or an elderly person, an allergy sufferer or an asthma sufferer.
Close the bedroom door
Tactic of closed doors at night
The most obvious advice on how to wean a cat from sleeping with its owner is to simply close the door. Although it is quite obvious, there is an important nuance to it. It takes patience to make it work.
As soon as you close the bedroom door in your cat's face, the cat will want to get in. He will scratch at the door and meow. In this case, it is important not to react to any cat provocations , because he can perceive any reaction as a positive result of his actions. Next time the cat will torment the door even more, because he will know: this technique with the owner works perfectly.
How to proceed? Be patient and only open the door if you really need it. For example, in the morning after sleep.
Closed area tactics
There is another trick that might work. Make the bedroom a no-go zone for your pet and follow this rule not only at night, but also during the day.
Why does the tactic work?
Cats are territorial animals. It is important for them to have access to territory that they consider theirs. This is why a closed door is perceived as a challenge. If the entrance to the bedroom is permanently restricted, it will cease to be part of the cat's domain and the need to inspect and guard them at night will disappear.
How to arrange a place for a cat to sleep
Perhaps the cat does not have a cozy sleeping place for a comfortable night's rest. To prevent your pet from freezing, place it near a radiator or in another warm and not accessible place. A special basket from a pet store, a mattress, or an old warm sweater are suitable as a bed. If a cat likes to hide in secluded places, then an enclosed cozy house is suitable. If the animal prefers to be more in the company of people and observe, then an open basket is better. Buy a basket for a cat who can't stand closed spaces.
The bed should be cozy, soft and dry, of a suitable size. Your pet will enjoy relaxing on the bed if you sprinkle it with mint and put your favorite toys on it. If the cat appreciates the furnished corner for relaxation, he will stop visiting the owner’s bed.
When you take a kitten into your home, let him determine his own place to sleep. Felines intuitively find the most suitable corner - perhaps on a hill - to observe what is happening. The main thing is that the cat is allowed to be in this place. If there is no battery nearby, use a heating pad.
How do I get my cat to stop sleeping in my bed?
The most common way to get a cat to stop sleeping in a bed is to give the cat another bed. Cats like comfortable space and are attracted to beds because they are soft, warm and offer great support if your cat curls up on blankets or pillows. Depending on the blankets you use, your cat may also be reminded of her mom's fur or her cuddling with her littermates when they were kittens.
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These are all powerful motivators to stay asleep in bed. If you want to keep your cats from sleeping in your bed, you need to provide them with another place where your cats can enjoy just as much.
Insulating a cat's bed with soft fabric can often be a good option, or even soft cat trees and other cat furniture can help them.
Towels or blankets that smell like your cat can also work as an alternative to a cat bed, drawing them away from your mattress and into their own space.
However, getting a cat that is used to sleeping in your bed to stop can be more challenging, so you may not be able to use this method successfully.
Try locking your cat in your room for a few days, and then try again by placing a cat bed in your room as an alternative. Your cat may go to her bed instead of yours.
If this doesn't work, there are special cat repellent sprays that will keep your cat away from certain areas. This may work in the short term, but you will still need to provide an alternative bed and other areas if you want a long-term solution, as your cat will simply return to your bed if you stop using the repellent.
It can also help to train your cat to like a new cat litter, but this method takes time, so it's not the best option for people who want immediate results.
How to wean a kitten
It is easier to wean a kitten from sleeping together in the first days in a new place. Immediately show a corner for relaxation, and for warmth, put something fur or a non-hot heating pad. The baby will feel like his mother is lying next to him and this will ensure a restful sleep.
If the method does not help, you will have to spend time weaning and tolerate the presence of an animal in the bedroom. Place the kitten's sleeping place next to the bed and fall asleep, gently stroking it and calming it down. Gradually move the bed closer to the door and take it outside the bedroom. Wait until your pet gets used to the new place to sleep, and strictly do not let him on the bed.
Is it okay if the cat sleeps in my bed?
Yes! If a cat sleeping in your bed doesn't bother you, you can let it sleep in the bed with you. Cats and kittens will move around if you toss and turn too much for them to be comfortable, and the risks to your cat in bed are relatively minimal, especially if they are on your blanket rather than under it.
The only exception is a cat allergy. Owners of cats with allergies often benefit from an allergen break at night, which means it's best to keep the cat out of bed. Unfortunately, most cats don't know the difference between staying in bed when you're sleeping and staying in bed all the time, so your cat shouldn't go to bed during the day.
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The benefits and harms of cats
Thanks to their abilities, cats can take away negative energy from any things in the house. Therefore, they can lie down on their owner’s things.
Scientists advise not to drive away cats that decide to sleep on their owner’s things. Despite the positive properties of animals, pregnant women and children are advised to sleep with them with great caution.
Why you shouldn't sleep with cats
Cats are carriers of various diseases, so they are advised to be treated with great caution.
You should definitely take your animal to the veterinarian or buy various products to get rid of cat parasites. Some people have an allergic reaction to animal fur, so this is something to consider when purchasing a furry pet.
Treatment for a cat
Many people believe that cats heal. In some mysterious way, they feel a sore spot and try to lie on it. Oddly enough, after such cat therapy the pain subsides.
Doctors, of course, unanimously say that a cat cannot be cured, but it will be quite possible to relieve a headache or relieve a spasm. The fact is that the cat acts like a heating pad, and the vibrations it creates by purring relax you.
Interesting! Cat owners claim that their pets treat headaches, joint pain and even toothache, restore heart rhythm, and normalize blood pressure.
Cats are able to sense a person’s mood and often lay on their owner precisely when he is depressed or excited. Moreover, the animal behaves very delicately: first it will lie down next to it, then it will gradually move towards the owner until it takes the place that it considers necessary. Surprisingly, communicating with a cat helps you calm down and lifts your spirits.
Is it possible for a cat to sleep between spouses?
The cat is the keeper of the hearth. If one of the household members offends her, the animal will begin to take revenge by pouring urine on the shoes of the offender. If the offender is one of the spouses, the cat will try to force him out by sleeping between the husband and wife. Being between spouses in bed, cats interfere with their energetic unity.
Folk signs are quite contradictory. According to some beliefs, the pet tries to reconcile the spouses in case of a quarrel. She goes to bed between spouses, trying to attract negative emotions to herself.
Why do cats like to sleep on a person, on a person’s head?
Why do cats like to sleep on a person, on a person’s head?
All the actions of a cat have their own mysterious meaning for humans, but important for the animal. The owner carefully observes the behavior of his pet, and cat owners often wonder: why do cats like to sleep on a person, on a person’s head? A few explanations:
- Dominance over a person, the desire to show devotion and humility . Don't believe those who say that if a cat sleeps on a person's head, then there is nothing good about it. The cat will be offended if the owner does not respond in kind to her affection, but drives the animal away. Even if the cat interferes during sleep, you need to change his resting place with caution and very carefully.
- Energy factor. Everyone knows that cats have a great sense of what cannot be seen with their eyes. If an animal sits on its head while a person is sleeping, then you need to listen to yourself. Perhaps you need a good rest, because the cat senses when a person is tired and helps him gain energy and get rid of headaches.
- From the point of view of science , which does not have a place for energy and other similar things, there is a simple explanation for the question of why a cat sleeps near or on a person. It's all about the same warmth that a cat loves. Temperature is of great importance. If it’s hot near the radiator, then the human body is the ideal temperature for a cat.
As mentioned above, an unhealthy organ has an elevated temperature, and therefore the cat easily finds it. If the person is completely healthy, then the cat settles where it is comfortable.
Can cats detect pregnancy?
Many years ago, when tests had not yet been created, cats were used to determine pregnancy. Women really believed that this way they could find out the presence or absence of an interesting position.
When a woman wanted to determine whether she was pregnant or not, she placed a cat on her stomach.
Conclusions were drawn based on the animal's behavior. For example, if the cat lay down on her stomach, curled up and fell asleep, then the baby should be expected soon. When the cat ran away, it meant that the woman was not pregnant.
