These days, weighted blankets are as ubiquitous as herbal teas and blue light blockers—all in the name helping us sleep better. But what about those of us who have furry companions around at bedtime? Is a weighted blanket safe for cats to sleep under? Learn more, plus find weighted blanket alternatives for cats: aka, cozy cat beds!
Why do cats go under the covers?
Pet parents can agree: Some cats love crawling under the covers with their humans, while other cats refuse to do so. In the case of the former, why do cats go under the covers? There are a few possibilities for this adorable behavior.
- For warmth: Let’s be honest, cats are heat addicts. As desert creatures, they’re biologically drawn to heat. Plus, their internal body temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit means they have to compensate for greater heat loss than us humans. And if you (aka, your body heat) are already under the covers, it’s all the better for your cat!
- For comfort: Similar to how a weighted blanket provides comfort for humans, your regular bed covers have a soothing weighted quality to your cat. Again, your cat may also take comfort in crawling in next to you under the covers.
- To hide: When feeling vulnerable or frightened, some cats hide under the bed; others hide under the covers.
What are weighted blankets?
Weighted blankets are heavy blankets filled with plastic or glass beads. These blankets use pressure therapy, or a calm-inducing amount of pressure across the entire body, to help relieve anxiety, restless body symptoms, and other sleep issues. Sleep experts recommend that you purchase a weighted blanket that’s approximately 10 percent of your body weight. This means that weighted blankets for adults typically weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.
So, is a weighted blanket safe for cats?
Now the real question: If you’re using a weighted blanket, is it safe for your cat to go under the covers? Let’s consider the advice of sleep experts, that these blankets should weigh 10 percent of your body weight. At the very least, that’s around 10 pounds—which is 100 percent of the average cat’s weight!
Would you want to sleep under a blanket that weighs as much as you?
With this in mind, it’s important that you do not allow your cat to sleep under your weighted blanket. It is not safe for cats (and small dogs) to sleep under a weighted blanket because it is simply too heavy for their small size. If your cat goes under a weighted blanket, they may not even be able to crawl back out without assistance.
Weighted blanket alternatives: Cozy cat beds!
Now that we know there isn’t really such a thing as a weighted blanket safe for cats, let’s consider some comforting alternatives for your feline. Check out these cozy cat beds and cat sacs from Litterbox.com:
Cover photo by Carla Luca de Tena on Unsplash
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