One of the greatest joys for me is a cold winter’s night, bundling in bed with my cats tucked all around me, some under the covers and some on top (because that’s how they do.)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates about half of all pet owners allow their furry friends to sleep in bed with them. But there exists some division of opinion if this is a great idea. Co-sleeping with your pet can have a down side, especially for those with allergies, along with thought of getting parasites. Not to mention how many times Daisy Mae insists on walking across your face and disturbs your sleep.
Any time you share a bed with another living being, human or otherwise, you share what they bring with them. Cats may pick up additional dust mites, pollen or molds, or bacteria gotten from other infected animals, or even just stepping in others’ poop —especially if they are indoor-outdoor cats. Toxoplasmosis is just one of the possibilities. By making sure they have all the proper vaccinations, etc., you cut down the possibilities of this being a problem, but it’s always possible. If you’re immunocompromised, this could be an important consideration.
Pets disrupt your sleep, just like a human companion, when they turn, jump, wiggle or you name it. Surveys have shown that as much as 35 percent of people report a problem with pets waking them at night. It’s your call whether this is such a detriment you can’t tolerate it.
If you definitely want to continue bedding down with Garfield and Felix, you can do a few things besides attending to their health to improve your reactions. Wash your sheets often to get rid of loose hair and dander. If you’re having allergic symptoms, medications exit to relieve them. You can use an air purifier in the room to help mitigate the flying fur.
Giving your cat regular baths may help, if sweet Maggie will tolerate them. Most importantly, if your cats go outdoors, take a few moments to wipe your cat’s paws, their sanitary areas, and any skin breaks when they return.
The good news is, mental health studies seem to show that co-sleeping with your furry friends tends to help mitigate depression and even creates a good mood in people. So if you’re one of the lucky people who can deal with the cons listed above, go for it!
Keep your feet warm and your kitties happy.