You love sleeping with your cat, but that’s when you start wondering about something your kitty seems to love doing. “Can cats breathe under blankets?!” You’re so confused as to why is she continuously choosing to hide underneath the heavy blankets and if that could actually harm her.
It’s impossible to prevent her from crawling underneath them because she usually snuggles up to you while you’re sleeping. This happens because you’re warm, and a warm spot is more comfortable for your cat than sleeping somewhere else in the house.
Also, cats are extremely clingy pets, even though many people would disagree with that statement. However, that’s not important right now. You’re here to understand why she’s acting this way and if she’s able to breathe under all those blankets!
Why do cats like to crawl under blankets?
Before we tackle the question that worries you, I believe that we should talk about the reasons why she continuously tries to crawl into your bed and under the covers. Wouldn’t she find it more comfortable in her own bed? Or somewhere where the air isn’t as stuffy and warm as it is under the blankets?
Well, most of the time, cats tend to sleep with their owners because of warmth and safety. Especially during the cold winter, she’ll feel the need to snuggle up to you, because she’d rather be hot than cold.
The softness and warmth of the blankets soothe her nervous system. However, it’s also a great way to have some quality time with you. That’s why she’d rather spend time in your bed than in her own!
It’s also a safety thing for cats. They’re predators, but they know that they’re small and that they are susceptible to larger animals, so they don’t feel relaxed when they are alone and exposed.
Sleeping underneath the blankets gives them the feeling of being hidden and safe. It’s also safer to sleep with you, whom they trust, than to sleep alone when there could be impending danger. Of course, there’s no danger in the house, but the instincts of your cat are stronger than you may even realize.
Another little thing that you should keep in mind is that an older cat will always choose to sleep next to you. That’s because older cats aren’t able to regulate their body temperature, so they get cold much faster, and they’ll need your body heat to keep them warm.
It’s also possible that your cat will come under the blankets if she’s sick or just had some sort of procedure done. She’d feel much safer with you than she would alone.
Can cats breathe under blankets?
Now to answer your question. Can cats breathe under blankets?
Yes, yes they can!
But how? Is it safe for her? Won’t she suffocate under the blankets from the lack of oxygen? Trust me, she’ll be perfectly fine underneath the blankets, all you have to do is just trust her instincts.
Blankets permeate enough oxygen for your cat to breathe. Considering how long cats have been around, they’ve developed unimaginable predatory skills and self-preservation skills. Your cat is more than capable of understanding when she’s in danger and what is causing her to feel some type of way.
So, if your cat does get uncomfortable, which includes not getting enough oxygen or overheating, she’ll find her way out without any issues. If she starts to struggle, then she’ll meow for help, or she’ll become a little more aggressive.
Either way, she’s more than capable of taking care of herself, so you won’t have to worry about her dying just because her favorite napping spot is underneath the blankets. Even if she falls asleep, she’ll wake up and walk away as soon as she starts feeling any type of discomfort.
What about kittens?
We’ve been able to determine that cats definitely can breathe under blankets and that they won’t suffocate, nor will they overheat. However, the same thing can’t be said for kittens. Those small creatures will have a much harder time getting out if they feel uncomfortable.
Kittens still don’t have profound predatory skills or self-preservation skills. All they know is that it’s warm for the time being and that there’s just enough oxygen to breathe (for now).
Once a kitten does realize that it’s becoming uncomfortable, she won’t be able to move through it to find the exit. This is especially true if it’s a heavy blanket. Small throw blankets should be fine, but a huge blanket could potentially suffocate your kitten.
It’s also possible that your kitten will suffocate before she even realizes that there’s no oxygen under the blankets. That’s why you should be more aware of where and how your kitten is sleeping! Don’t let her sleep with you just yet, rather wait a couple of months before you choose to let her roam around your bed.
The safety issue here is obvious, the smaller the cat is, the harder it’ll be for her to get out of this uncomfortable situation!
Are there any risks for your cat?
Can cats breathe under blankets without any risks? Well, it’s possible that your cat could experience some type of discomfort, which will in turn lead to her walking away from your bed calmly.
The only risk for big and adult cats would be that they could potentially overheat. However, the possibility of this happening is minimal. It’s more probable that you’ll crush her during your sleep by turning onto your back and landing right on your furry friend than it is for her to overheat.
Cats are less likely to overheat because their body temperature is higher than ours. It’s somewhere between 38.1°C and 39.2°C. That’s why it’s not likely that the warm air under the blanket will affect her.
Should you avoid sleeping with your cat?
It’s also important to talk about whether you should allow your cat to sleep with you in the first place. I know that she’s adorable and that you want to have her around all the time, but it may be best to avoid sleeping with your cat.
It’s not because of the blanket situation, she can definitely breathe, and she can adapt her body to environments that are low in oxygen. However, there are a couple of other reasons why sleeping with your cat may be bad for both of you.
1. Disrupted sleep
Even though your cat is domesticated, she’ll still wake up at least twice during the night. Because of this, her activity will disrupt your sleeping patterns. She’ll want to play around with you regardless of how many times you try to put her aside or try to tell her to stop.
There have been many studies done on the behavior of cats during the night, and you can find funny clips online of people who hid their cameras. Not only do their cats crawl under the blankets, but they also start to lay down on the faces of their owners and so on.
Cats are curious by nature, so you’ll probably notice that your cat is meowing and scratching you in your sleep because she wants to make sure that you’re still alive.
2. Exposure to infections and parasites
When you’re awake, you have full capacity to control your cat’s behavior and you can control where she touches you. However, you don’t have that luxury when you’re asleep. You’re actually exposed to so many different infections and parasites.
Your cat will put her bum under your nose, and she’ll touch your mouth with her paws.
I know that we’re talking about an indoor cat here, but she’ll have residue of the litter, poop, and pee from her litter box between her paw pads. That’s when all those bacteria will spread over your face and mouth, and you won’t have a say in it.
If you know for a fact that your cat isn’t touching your face while you’re sleeping, then go ahead and make space for her in your bed, but otherwise, it’s best to keep her in a separate room.
3. Allergies
You were asking if cats can breathe under blankets when the better question would be if you can breathe when your cat is around.
If you’re prone to allergies, you should find a way to keep your cat out of your bed. It’s not about keeping your cat safe here, but rather about keeping you safe!
You may not even realize that you’re allergic to cats, but it’s not even important. The saliva, skin particles, and fur of a cat could potentially activate an allergic reaction. This happens when there are so many different particles inside your bed that you can’t get rid of them.
Even if your cat doesn’t touch you directly, it could happen when she starts to sleep under your covers. It’s very important to keep her out of your bedroom altogether. I can promise you that your bond won’t be any worse just because you don’t let her sleep in the same bed as you do.
