All cats can make life miserable for their owners if they become overly aggressive.
In some people, it seems their breathing is to blame. Some cats pant excessively under blankets, which reduces airflow.
This may result in a melting meltdown, resulting in damage to the blanket.
So, can cats suffocate under blankets?
Although cats do pant while under a blanket, they are not in danger of suffocation. Cats have unique respiratory systems which allow them cool off very quickly by panting through their mouths and nostrils.
This rapid heat exchange allows cats to regulate their body temperature even when under a blanket.
Let’s start now.
Can Cats Suffocate Under Blankets?
Your adult cat will instinctively make itself comfortable when sleeping and it is up to you to help ensure that it is comfortable – and that you are aware of any signs that it is not.
However, the chance rises if the cat is a kitten, old or if it has an illness such as asthma.
When your cat hides under your blanket, he is either seeking cover from something – such as he has done something wrong or he needs company as it awakes.
My kitties were never in the habit of hiding under blankets and if they did, I would find them and move them or push the cat back with a bedside chair.
If a cat does burrow under a covers or blankets, it can result in damage to the bedding and the cat.
If you have a little kitten, you must ensure that the cat has somewhere to get away from you if it feels scared.
A kitten may perceive a gesture or noise as a threat and try to hide under a blanket where it can run to safety.
Why Don’t Cats Suffocate Under Blankets?
Cats Under Blankets Do Not Need To Be Monitored
The blanket measuring 20×20 inches that is purchased online to fit over the pet crate.
However, if your cat is very frightened or shows signs of illness, then the vet may want to monitor the cat for a few days in a clinic until it is feeling better before trying it out again at home.
Small kittens should be kept away from the cover of blankets and pillows as they may try to climb inside them and get stuck if not careful.
However, if blankets allow air to move freely around them, then your cat can sleep comfortably without being bothered by drafts or chilling bumps or change in its body temperature that can affect them.
Some veterinarians believe that placing dogs beneath blankets may cause pressure sores or make them more likely to overreact to sudden movements.
Cats naturally avoid situations they perceive to be harmful, and a blanket makes it more difficult for them to escape predators or dangerous situations, therefore, it can also protect them from suffocation.
Breathable Bedding Material
To test the breathability of a fabric, open a fresh piece of cloth and lay it on a flat surface so that the edges fall in one direction.
Lightweight fabrics such as cotton are very breathable and ideal for beds that come into contact with skin.
Cats Self-Regulate Instinctively
Primitive survival instincts are teachable to cats, even completely domestic ones.
Cats have evolved innate behaviors to self-regulate and protect themselves against hypothermia by reacting to changes in temperature.
When a cat feels the need to regulate its body temperature, it curls up in tight ball and tucks its legs in tightly under a blanket.
This trait may be one reason why cats do not suffocate under blankets as often is widely believed by humans.
How to Keep Your Cat From Crawling Under Blankets
Cats have a bad reputation for being difficult to train, but like most other animals they will respond positively to positive reinforcement.
Keeping your cat out of the bedroom is impractical, but it is something you can work on with your cat over time.
A cat that is used to having access outdoors will not appreciate being confined to a bedroom at night.
If you do not want to confine your cat to a room at night, consider a sleeping box for your cat or something to occupy it while you are away at night.
Can Kittens Sleep Under Blankets?
Blankets give cats enough freedom to sleep and curl up as they please without restricting their movement.
They will get up and leave a pile of fur on your bed or sofa when they decide they’ve had enough.
Younger kittens find it more difficult to find their heat balance than older kittens, so it is best to make sure new kittens are under a blanket at night.
How Long Does a Cat Suffocate?
Until the unexpected happens, few people worry about how safe their blankets are for their pets.
When the cat inhales, it’s air filtering through the trachea into the rest of the body.
In less than five breaths, the oxygen-depleted air has been drawn into the lungs and over the diaphragm into the rest of the body.
Note that this danger is greater when a human inhales; we are more likely to fall asleep in an oxygen-rich environment than a cat is.
In addition , it is unlikely that cats will sleep in a position in which their chest is flattened against a blanket without moving it first.
Cats usually sleep on flat surfaces of pillows or blankets rather than on their sides, and this limits their risk from a blanket crushing their thorax.
Also See: Why Does Your Cat Scratch Your Bed?
Conclusion
In conclusion, most cats will sleep under a blanket or comforter without a problem. However, if your cat is overly aggressive and only sits or sleeps under a blanket, you should remove the blanket or comforter from your cat’s sleeping space.
For a few days, try other things such as a clean blanket to see if your cat will sleep on the alternative surface without a blanket.
Once your cat is sleeping on other surfaces, you can try putting the blanket back in its sleeping area if you want.
They are smart enough to know how to suffocate under a blanket.
If you don’t want your cat to suffocate under your blanket, you should remove it from its sleeping area for a few days until your cat can learn to sleep on some other surface.