Where Should Your Cat Sleep?

Okay, 'fess up.  Where does your cat sleep?  Nestled in the crook of your knees on your antique quilt?  On the larger part of your pillow where your head isn't?  On an easy chair close to the bed?  Or does she position herself flush against the closed door to your bedroom?  Or in her own bed in another part of the house?

Coach

A recent online survey revealed the following facts about cats in the household:

• About 96 percent of cat owners allow their cats to sleep in the bedroom.
• Almost 50 percent of those cats are allowed to sleep in the bed.
• And 38 percent of those sleep on the pillow with the owner.

It should be noted, too, that younger cats prefer the pillow, while older cats prefer to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Lambert

Although the amount of time spent sleeping varies from cat to cat, and depends on age and personality, felines spend an average of 13 to 16 hours each day curled up in slumber.  And when it comes to sleep, your cat likes warm and cozy.  She looks for a place that feels comfortable and safe and has the right temperature.  When the weather is warm, she seeks high shaded sleeping nooks, where she can stretch out.  During the cool winter months she'll find a place in the warm sunshine or near a heat source, and there she'll curl up with face between paws to reduce body heat loss.

Lorelei

If your cat does sleep in bed with you, consider the following:

• Cats rarely sleep through the night and they often wake up too, too early for most people, usually 4 or 5 am.  At this point they want to be fed and they may also want to play.
• Cats are fascinated with anything that moves, and if the nearest thing is your hand or foot, you may have a painful awakening.
• Although cats are known to be fastidious about cleanliness, they still step in and out of the litter box.
• You might have allergies and may need to have time away from your kitty, especially when sleeping.

Phantom

Most behavioral problems can be handled, however, and training is always worth the effort.  Your cat can learn to stay quiet when she awakens or she can leave the room by herself.  A firm "no" a few times may stop the batting game with your foot – a few hundred times may get her to stop all together.  And you can help keep her paws clean if that is an issue or provide a towel or blanket on top of the antique quilt. 

Rooney

Source: www.petplace.com