Why does my cat like to sleep in bed with me?

Cats sleep, on average, around 12 to 18 hours each day and they often like to change their sleeping locations. Although they have a perfectly good bed, you may find that they often choose to sleep on top of a cupboard, on a radiator, on the sofa – or on your bed.

Here, we explore the pros and cons of allowing your cat to sleep with you and what you need to know.

There are several reasons why your cat likes to sleep on your bed:

• To bond with you. Cats are loving and sociable animals, and like to share their love. They’ll sit on your lap if you’re on the sofa and can lay across your lap, legs, feet – or even head – when you’re in bed.
• To keep cosy. Let’s face it, your bed is comfortable and the perfect place for a nap. Add the warmth of your body and it’s no wonder they’ll choose to sleep on you.
• To be secure. Cats feel vulnerable to predators when asleep so being near you helps them feel safe.
• Because it’s their spot. You may think it’s your bed but cats are territorial animals, so it’s likely they’ve already marked it as theirs.

Unless you have an allergy to cats or have asthma, it’s fine for your cat to sleep on the bed. However, there are certain circumstances where it may be better for both you and your cat to keep them off of your bed.

For instance, cats with kidney problems or urinary tract infections may urinate in places they usually wouldn’t. If that’s the case, you may want to have a special space where they can sleep, with a waterproof mat beneath their bed, instead.

• If you’re a light sleeper or your cat is restless, it may interrupt your sleep.
• Cats can become more active at night so you may find they decide to play or roam the house.
• If your cat uses the cat flap at night and it’s wet outside, you’ll find lots of paw prints on your nice clean bedding.
• Cats shed hair, especially when moulting in the spring and summer, so your bed can get pretty hairy. You may find you need to wash your sheets more often.