Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 For many people, a cat is not merely a pet but\npart of the family. This closeness leads some owners to let their cats\nsleep in the bedroom, or even on the bed throughout the night.<\/p>\n
The habit does not automatically cause health problems for everyone.\nHowever, several factors should be considered, particularly allergies,\ncleanliness, diseases that can pass from animals to humans, and sleep\nquality. Even cats that appear healthy and clean may carry certain\ngerms.<\/p>\n
Allergies may be more likely to flare up<\/strong><\/p>\n One concern is exposure to cat allergens. These can come from flakes\nof skin, saliva and other parts of the body, which then collect on fur\nand various surfaces around the home.<\/p>\n For people with cat allergies, continuous exposure in the bedroom can\nworsen symptoms such as sneezing, a blocked nose, or itchy or watery\neyes. The Mayo Clinic advises people with allergies to reduce their\nexposure and, if possible, keep the bedroom pet-free.<\/p>\n There is still a risk of disease transmission<\/strong><\/p>\n Cats can carry germs that may cause illness in humans. The United\nStates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that cats\nmay carry certain bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi even when they\nappear healthy.<\/p>\n Conditions associated with cats include cat-scratch disease,\nCampylobacter infection, Giardia and some parasitic infections. They can\nbe transmitted through contact with the animal, its faeces or\ncontaminated objects.<\/p>\n This does not mean that everyone who sleeps with a cat will become\nill.\u00a0The risk depends greatly on the cat\u2019s health, the cleanliness of\nits surroundings and the owner\u2019s health.<\/p>\n Toxoplasmosis warrants particular attention<\/strong><\/p>\n Toxoplasmosis is one infection often associated with cats. It is\ncaused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii<\/em> and can be transmitted\nthrough contact with cat faeces containing the parasite.<\/p>\n Most people who are infected have no symptoms. However, the infection\ncan be more serious for people with weakened immune systems. Infection\nduring pregnancy can also cause serious problems for the foetus.<\/p>\n Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should\ntherefore take extra care when handling cat faeces. The Mayo Clinic\nadvises asking someone else to clean the litter tray if possible. If\nthey have to do it themselves, wearing gloves and washing their hands\nafterwards can help reduce exposure.<\/p>\n Sleep quality may also be affected<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to the risk of disease, having an animal in bed can\naffect sleep quality. Cats that are active at night, move around on the\nbed or wake their owners can make sleep less comfortable.<\/p>\n A 2024 study of 1,591 adults in the United States found that sleeping\nwith pets was associated with poorer sleep quality and higher levels of\ninsomnia. Further analysis, however, showed that the association was\nmore apparent among dog owners and was not found among cat owners.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a 2025 study of school-age children found that those who\nshared a bed with pets slept for shorter periods and had lower sleep\nefficiency than children who did not have an animal in their room. The\nstudy requires further testing, and most of its data concerned dogs.<\/p>\n The effect of sleeping with an animal on sleep quality therefore\ncannot be assumed to be the same for everyone, including cat owners.<\/p>\n Keep cats clean and healthy<\/strong><\/p>\n People who sleep with their cats should pay attention to the animals\u2019\nhealth and hygiene. Regular veterinary check-ups, parasite treatments as\nneeded, vaccinations, and keeping the cat and its living area clean are\nimportant ways to reduce risk.<\/p>\n The CDC also advises owners to wash their hands after handling or\nfeeding a cat, or cleaning up its faeces. Routine veterinary care helps\nkeep cats healthy and reduces the likelihood of disease spreading.<\/p>\n Bedding should also be cleaned regularly, especially if the cat often\ngets on the bed. Sheets, pillowcases and blankets should be washed\nregularly to keep the sleeping area clean.<\/p>\n The owner\u2019s health matters<\/strong><\/p>\n Not everyone faces the same level of risk. People with cat allergies,\nthose who are pregnant, people with weakened immune systems, or anyone\nexperiencing sleep problems should reconsider allowing a cat to sleep in\ntheir bed.<\/p>\n For owners without these conditions, a healthy cat receiving regular\ncare generally poses a lower risk. Nevertheless, keeping hands, bedding\nand the surrounding area clean remains important, as even animals that\nappear healthy can carry certain germs.<\/p>\n Ultimately, sleeping with a cat is not automatically dangerous to\nhealth. The risks are more closely linked to the owner\u2019s health, the\nanimal\u2019s health, cleanliness and sleep quality.<\/p>\n With good pet care and hygiene, owners can continue to enjoy the\ncloseness of their cats without neglecting their health.<\/p>",
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