How to Keep Cat Off Bed: 4 Gentle Ways

Last Updated: 2 months ago

Are you wondering how to stop your cat from sleeping on your bed?

Luckily, my experience working in a vet clinic has taught me some tricks that I’ll share with you.

I’ll explain to you why cats like to sleep in their owners’ beds, whether it’s hygienic, and the tricks I used to keep my cat off my bed that you can use too.

4 Ways On How to Keep Cat Off Bed

There are quite a few tips and tricks for keeping your cat off your bed without taking drastic measures.

All of these are safe for your cat and take a bit of time to work effectively.

So, if you’d like to take steps to keep your cat off your bed, here are three tips for how to get your cat off your bed.

1. Use Citronella Spray

The quickest way to get your cat away from your bed is with citronella spray. Citronella has been used mostly for deterring mosquitoes.

There are also sprays made with a bit of citronella in them that you can use to keep your cat away from whatever you want.

Cats find the smell terrible and almost always avoid whatever it is applied to. Citronella spray doesn’t stain or smell much like anything to humans, so this is a great way to keep your cat off your bed.

2. Get a Cat Bed

Getting a suitable cat bed for your cat is the next best thing. Sometimes your cat just wants a more comfortable place to sleep.

Judge what type of bed your cat would prefer by observing their sleeping habits. If your cat likes to burrow in the covers, get a cat bed that would encompass them, small with high edges.

Get them a flatter bed if they sleep directly on top of a made bed.

3. Teach Them No

It’s’ important to set ground rules for your feline friend. Cats understand many words that humans use, and it is straightforward to teach your cat the word no.

Whenever your cat does something you don’t want them to do, tell them firmly no and remove them from the situation.

If you find your cat in the bed or jumping up when you are in your bed, tell them no and then put them on the floor or, even better, outside of the room.

If you stay consistent, your cat will learn not to do this anymore.

4. Use a deterrent

Use a deterrent such as double-sided tape or line your bed with aluminum foil.

I’ve found with the pet owners I’ve met in clinics that this can be one of the most effective out of all behavioral modification techniques.

5 Reasons Why Cats Want to Sleep in Your Bed

My cat always wants to sleep on my bed because she loves cuddles.

However, this might be different for you, as there are several other reasons why some cats can’t keep away from our beds.

These include:

1. To keep warm

Many cats sleep in their owner’s bed because it provides warmth.

Even without other animals or humans in the bed with them, cats will find warmth in the insulation of your bedding.

2. To be near their provider

Cats will tend to stick close to the person who feeds them and provides them with water and affection.

If your cat likes to be in bed when you are in it, they are usually just trying to stick close to whoever fulfills their needs.

Sometimes your furry companion is just looking for some cuddle time.

3. For protection

Many cats see their owners as more than just providers; they are also their protectors. In their minds, it’s in their best interest to stay close to someone who could protect them.

4. To mark territory

Most cats view your entire home as their territory. To them, everything they have access to is theirs, including your bed.

5. For peace during the day

If you live in a home that is loud when everyone is awake, your cat may seek some quiet time in your bed.

Usually, many cat parents spend their waking hours outside their bedroom, making it a more peaceful place for a cat seeking out a nap.

Things To Consider

Now that I’ve shown you the reasons why your furry friend wants to be with you at bedtime, we can look at whether it’s a good idea or not.

1. Hygiene

Yes, a healthy cat is hygienic enough to sleep in your bed with you. This was actually one of the most asked questions at the vet clinic!

Many cat owners want to keep their cats out of their beds because they believe it is unhygienic to let them sleep in the bed.

This is primarily a myth. Healthy cats are typically very hygienic and keep anything dirty out of the places they choose to rest.

Depending on the health of your cat and its specific behavior, it’s not always hygienic. This is applicable if they have health conditions.

2. Parasites

One problem is parasites. Keep your cat out of your bed until you treat them for fleas or ticks.

Fleas and ticks bite your cat and drink their blood, which may leave bloodstains on your bed. Also, fleas may bite you if they are in your bed with you.

Other parasites, such as worms, may find their way into your bed, which is another thing you don’t want.

This is a complaint I’ve heard numerous times from clients when their cats sleep in their beds, but all it takes is the treatment of the parasites to fix the issue.

3. Health Problems

If your cat vomits or has frequent hairballs, it may be concerning if they do this in your bed.

Usually, cats won’t vomit in the place where they sleep if they can avoid it, but sometimes it happens too fast for them to get out of bed entirely first.

4. Litter

If your cat is very messy with their litter box or if the litter box is close to the bed, they may also drag litter into the bed with them.

One can usually avoid this by placing the litterbox far away from the bed and placing a mat in front of the box.

FAQs

Conclusion

Cats love to use our beds as theirs for many reasons, and most of them are because of their attachments to you in one way or another.

If you want your cat in the bed, most healthy cats are hygienic enough to be allowed there. There are a few ways to keep cats off the furniture if you decide you don’t want your cat in the bed.

These techniques only take a little time and effort on your part to get the result you want.

It’s up to you whether you’re going to allow your cat in your bed or not, and now you know the good and bad of sharing a bed with your pet cat.

What do you think of stopping your cat from sleeping on the bed? Let us know your thoughts below!