Just What is a Full Night of Rest Anymore?
When I was asked to do an informative Q & A about living in a multi-cat household for the Cats the Boss site a couple weeks ago, it got me to thinking about one of the questions, “Do your cats sleep on the bed with you?” Is that really a question? I don’t think I’ve seen the top of my bed without a cat on top of it since, when, well, um… never! And whose fault is that? Well, mine, of course… But I would never consider shutting the door and keeping them out of the room. I will uncomfortably sleep at the edge of the bed each and every night and suffer unbearably, so long as the cats are completely undisturbed and content…
This got me to thinking about one of the funniest cat antidotes I shared in my book (for me anyhow), The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey, that broached this very subject. Written with what I like to call an Erma Bombeck style of wit and honesty, I thought I might as well share the excerpt with you so that you could fully understand the extent of “Do your cats sleep on the bed with you?” Okay, from Chapter 24, entitled, “And So It Is,” I bring you my funny story of how my gynecologist unwittingly became a part of my book:
“… I went to my annual gynecological checkup and told my doctor I thought I was going through menopause because I was sometimes sweating profusely during the night and would wake up drenched. Clearly I was experiencing hot flashes, right? He flat out confirmed that it was physically impossible and asked about my sleeping patterns… turns out having a blanket made of assorted cats sleeping on, next, or near you in the same bed at night can cause the same symptoms as menopause… He also confirmed with all certainty, that he thought I was certifiably nuts. Apparently sharing a bed with seven cats and one human is not normal…”
To be fair, typically all seven are not on the bed at the same time. Jazz and Harley are the only two that stick to me religiously like glue. And I mean they literally stick to me like glue. If I toss, they toss. If I turn, they turn. Both of them sleep on top of me and that is that, hence the hot flashes… Zee makes several appearances throughout the night, as he has a very important ritual that he rigidly adheres to every night. He will stay in bed with us for a while, then he leaves for what we call his “nightly ritual of homage.” He literally feels compelled to bring us gifts throughout the night. We will hear him enter the bedroom as he makes a loud and garbled meowing noise. We then hear a plunk, as a plush toy is dropped to the floor. He will meow loudly until we thank him for his gift. This happens between 5 to 7 times each night and I think he has even hit double digits on occasion! No wonder the dear boy naps all day long – he has to rest for his night-shift! The rest of the cats will randomly come in and out throughout the night. So, to answer the question, yes, our cats do sleep on the bed with us… Someone needs to use the bed for sleeping since it isn’t Dan or I!!
In your case, maybe the question should be “have you ever seen the top of our bed?” 🙂 I can’t imagine not sleeping with cats. Even with only two, it gets a little toasty at times (and unlike you, I am experiencing hot flashes even without my two feline heaters!) – but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
LOL Ingrid… my turn is just around the corner!
I like hanging on the bed in the daytime, but I don’t sleep with Jen at night. But those cats? Oh yeah, they sleep on the bed…. well, they come and go. There’s a group that tuck Jen in and get her to sleep, then a crew that’s there to help her wake up. They have quite the choreographed arrangement.
Wow Rumpy… those cats sure do have Jen under control!
Well I am shocked, you mean those things are human beds?!?!?!? LOL!
Very funny Brian!! I guess to a cat, a human bed is just one giant cat basket!
Oh my cat, you too! Maxie has the Duty to make sure Mommy gets to sleep, then Faraday burrows under the covers at about 3 AM. Mommy always wakes to see Allie riding high on the top of Daddy (usually he’s sleeping on his side)> How she manages to stay precariously perched up there, we don’t know. Doesn’t look too comfy tho.
I imagine your house is a lot like ours at bedtime Ryker’s Boyz ‘n’ Allie!!
My cat Hana leaves us sock kittens by our front door. After we leave the house. So cute. Your sleeping beauties are looking pretty darn content in life.
Oh Sharon – that is so cute!! I find it so endearing that they actually love us that much that they feel compelled to bestow us with gifts!
that photo with all of the kitties on the bed is just priceless!!!
And to think that I often think that I am sacrificing sleep for ONE cat in the bed? lol
Caren – whether it is one cat or seven, a cat can always make a big bed seem like a small space!
Even thought studies show pets do disturb our sleep, most of us don’t care. It’s a smorgasbord of bed position and times both under and over covers.
LOL Layla… no studies necessary at our house!! I would say conclusively that my pets distrupt my sleep, but I definately don’t care. It’s difficult enough for me to travel, I msis them so much. I could never shut the door on them and keep them out of the room… that would be just awful!
Oh yes, there are tons of cats on my bed too. But some stay, some come and go. It all depends on the weather, if it is cold outside, then there are lots of cats in the house and on my bed. And forget having a chair to sit in. No way. Also I am not allowed to walk through the house because my feet are surrounded by cats. But I love every minute of it. Take care.
Me too Marg!! I love every “in my way minute” that I have with my kitties!!
I”m surprised you sleep at all, Deb but it’s true how once we have our kitteh children, we adjust to them. My girls join me in the a.m. and I’ve just gotten used to laying my hand just so and making sure I don’t disturb them. I mean why have cats if you can’t indulge with them every minute? I love the photo of your gang all sleeping on the bed. Forget the expression “two dog night” and just say seven cat night!
Why have cats indeed Wendy if you can’t indulge them!! I love how you put that and Sele and Miss Bella are very lucky to be loved by such a wonderful human!
Deb – I do love that photo of all the cats on the bed! How amazing to catch them all on it at the same time!! And you are right about not getting solid sleep through the night because of cats. But it was our decision to have Jessie Cat sleep on the bed with us. In fact – it was my HUSBAND’S recommendation! Yep! So, every night, as I tread down the hallway, I look back to see where Jessie is at – if she’s following me or not – & if not, I call her to come to bed! The only time she actually disturbs me is around 4 AM as she gets restless. And perhaps since she likes to sleep between my legs (sounds weird typing that!) I actually try to stay sleeping on my back most of the night — for her! Which cramps up my legs & back some…but ya know, I don’t really mind it! Because I do love my baby girl – Jessie Cat!
Dan and I can relate to everything you have typed Gina!! We have had the cramped legs and we too call the cats if for some odd reason they don’t follow us into the room! I always feel like the Pied Piper of Sleep when it is bedtime – a whole train of cats follows Dan and I when we get ready for bed!
Of course I let my humans sleep in MY bed 🙂
Kjelle Bus – that is very kind of you to share YOUR bed!!!
That’s hilarious!!! I LOVE the photo of all seven, sacked out. They’re like mini personal heaters, I swear.
Katie’s ritual is equally as crazy. Both my husband and I typically end the day with our laptops in bed. (the Macbook variety, not the cat kind) Katie is wedged between us, in perfect petting position. Once the laptop lids close, that’s her cue. She is gone in a flash! If for some reason a laptop opens up again, she’s back. Closed, gone. Open, back.
Yes, we’ve tested this. ; )
Glogirly
That is so funny Glogirly!! Just what makes those little brains of theirs tick the way they do!!???
that is the cutest thing ever.i personally don’t have my pets in my bed well there will be no room is enough my one year still sleeps in my bed…
Thanks for stopping by Katherine! I can certainly remember when my bosy were young… yes, a one year old does crowd a bed!!
That is one of the funniest parts of the book, in fact I think I even quoted the “certifiably nuts” bit in my review!
To be honest my bed is an Austin free zone at night. The day is when he sleeps on it mostly and we do have snuggles first thing in the morning after he’s been on his first outdoor killing spree of the day. A cat must nap lol
MOL Carolyn… an outdoor killing spree! You do have such a way with words that cracks me up!!
Nice to meet you. I was banned from sleeping on TW’s bed for a month cos she claimed I brutally attacked her. Can you believe that?
Nice meeting you too CK!! And no, I can’t believe that. I think you have a lawsuit for slander in the making… You are a darling and I won’t hear any of your human’s nonsense!
OMC, Deb! It is like you are talking about our house. Tracey and I totally contort ourselves every night so that Moosey and Sammy are comfortable on the bed. No matter that I am right on the edge of the bed, perilously close to putting good old gravity to the test. MOL!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Meowmeowmans, it is so funny how us cat people can relate to this story!!!
There’s only 3 of us, but we do a good job of giving mom the hots, too. MOL
MOL Pumpkinpuddy!! That is so funny!!!!!