Do cats like blankets? Do cats like being covered by blankets?
As the temperature drops as we step into Autumn and Winter, there’s nothing better than snuggling under our favorite blanket. It gives us warmth, comfort and a feeling of being safe, snug and secure. Which got us thinking – do our cats like blankets as the colder months set in? Do they get the same feeling when snuggling under a warm fluffy blanket? In this article we will specifically look at cats and blankets but if you want further guidance on caring for your cat during the winter months then please check out our other articles too:
Keeping cats safe in winter – a complete guide
Should I leave the heating on for my cat? Do cat’s fur keep them warm?
Do cats like blankets?
Generally, YES, cats do like blankets. Of course, they will vary in the type of blanket they prefer, how and where the blanket is placed, but, on the whole cats do like a blanket. This is more so during the colder months. But as with most cat topics, there will always be one or two kitties who defy the rules and simply dislike blankets! It is often a trial and error when trying new toys or equipment with cats. The one thing that is fairly certain is that if your cat doesn’t like something, they will most certainly let you know.
Cats like blankets for their comfort and warmth. We all appreciate being snug and cozy when we have a sleep and the same is true for our cats. Cats are well known for seeking out warm spots, be it the sun shining through a window, a place by a warm boiler or body heat by sitting on your lap.
Do cats like being covered by blankets?
Your cat will dictate if she is one for being tucked into her blanket or not. Our two cats, Misty and Bella-Boo certainly purr in delight when our daughter cuddles them up in blankets. We set their sleeping area up in a way that they can snuggle under the blanket if they wish. Very often, in the winter, they will have managed to ensure they are well and truly nestled in their basket with the blanket huddled around them. If cats get too warm, or feel uncomfortable under a blanket, or indeed in any location, they will simply move somewhere else. Let your cat guide you as to whether or not they like to be covered by a blanket. They may feel as equally snug with a blanket underneath them or lining their basket with the blanket.
Do kittens need a blanket?
Young kittens will sleep snuggled up to their mother. She will provide all the comfort and warmth that they need. Ensuring the mother cat is in a warm place with a comfortable bed will make sure the kittens have the best start. There is no need to cover the young kittens with a blanket.
Once weaned and ready to leave their mothers, kittens will often have new homes and families to care for them. From here on, making sure your kitten is warm, comfortable, fed, watered and stimulated are all key elements for a happy healthy life into adulthood. Check out our article ‘How to keep your cat happy – 10 key factors’ for a deeper insight into all of these elements. If your kitten / cat develops a liking to having blankets, then here are a few key factors to consider.
Considerations when choosing a blanket for your cat
- There are many cat blankets available on the market. These are specifically designed for use by cats. Most blankets used for human use are safe for cats too, but if in any doubt please check. Blankets without holes are better. If cats chew on loose yarn, or on any material that has large or loose thread, they may ingest the fibres which can get stuck if swallowed. With their sharp claws and teeth, any blanket with larger holes and threads is likely to have holes and become damaged and worn much quicker.
- It is important that cats can move from under the blanket easily if they so choose to. Cats are excellent at regulating their own body temperatures and will instinctively know if they are getting too hot, and they will then move.
- Any decorative features on a blanket such as tassels, bobbles, fringes, buttons and so forth are not recommended, and certainly not unsupervised. They may become tempting for your cat to chew and could cause a choking hazard.
- Any blankets heated by electrical cords can also pose a danger. Chewing electrical cords can be very dangerous and may even result in death.
- Ensure your cat can move and breathe easily under the blanket and that they always have a choice as to whether or not they want a blanket.
- It may take your cat a little time to get used to a new blanket. New smells and textures may take a few days to get used to. Placement is also important for cats. Try the blanket in another area if they don’t seem keen or wait until the weather gets colder.
We love these 6 pack of blankets, suitable for cats (and dogs!). They are made of a double sided fleece material – not too heavy but soft enough for warmth and comfort. Having more than one means you can place one in each of your cat’s sleeping spots.
Why do cats knead blankets?
Kneading is a common activity in cats. It’s a very similar motion to kneading bread – the cat pushes in and out with her two front paws. Cats will often knead on soft surfaces such as blankets, cushions, other animals and even people. When kneading, cats are in a happy, contented state and will often be purring happily at the same time too. Cats will knead for several reasons:
Nursing comfort – When kittens are suckling milk from their mothers, they will knead their paws against the mother cat’s stomach. This light pressure stimulates the milk flow. The comforting feelings associated with suckling, being close to mum and kneading are thought to be continued and sought when kneading later in life. Very often cats will also suck on their blankets, or on whatever surface they are kneading.
Preparation of bedding areas – Before cats were domesticated, it is believed that cats would knead grasses and foliage to prepare an area for sleeping or to give birth. Kneading may simply be an ongoing primitive behavior of preparing a comfortable, secure area to rest and settle down.
Females in heat – Unspayed females will knead when they go into heat. This is to demonstrate to male cats that they are ready to mate.
Marking territory – Cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones. Kneading will activate these scent glands and release the scent onto the fabric or surface she is kneading thus marking territory. This can be especially prevalent in a multi cat household as each cat may want to mark their sleeping territory.
Alternatives to blankets
If your cat simply doesn’t like blankets or if like us, you like to give your cats plenty of options of sleeping places then try the following:
Self-heating pads – In the last few weeks we have purchased two of these self-heating pads. They are very simple but so very effective. They are a zipped blanket, the top layer being a soft comfortable material and the bottom being a non slip base. Inside the zipper is a thermal insulation layer with a heat reflection layer. When the cat lies on the soft blanket, its own heat is absorbed and then reflected back. No dangerous wires or electric to worry about. They are machine washable too so easy to keep clean. We placed our self-heating pads inside their cozy sleeping basket to ensure maximum warmth and comfort. One of the pads we bought was by Sleepy Paws. Our cats love sleeping on it and you can certainly feel the warmth when the cats have been lying on it so it’s a definite recommendation from us.
Hooded, cave or tent beds are excellent options for cat beds. They will keep any drafts at bay, and many have soft material on the inside for maximum comfort. Some cats feel safer when they are hiding, and these types of bed are perfect. The choices available are endless including some with the same technology as the heat pads above. This Soft fleece, self warming bed looks very snug and cozy.
Old jumper or clothing of yours
Any item that has your smell on it will bring a sense of security and calmness to your cat. As long as there are no dangerous parts on the clothing, as we mentioned above, your cat can be very warm and happy snuggled under an old clothing item. During a storm or when the wind is howling, one of our cats is particularly fond of snuggling under an old coat.
Other articles you may find of interest:
Where should my cat sleep? Where do cats sleep outside?
How much time should I spend with my cat? Why do cats need attention?
Best gifts for cats – Top 10 Christmas gifts for cats
