Does It Matter What Your Cat Is Sleeping On?

Cat beds and pads come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. But is choosing an adorable bed pad for your cat enough to keep it safe? As it turns out, there is so much more to bedding than its appearance and feel. In fact, natural bedding can make quite a big difference in your cat’s life, which is why it is an option well worth looking into.

Note: when I review a cat bed – I always ask if it is safe for cats.  But I still don’t know for sure.  It’s important to know what our cats are sleeping on, just as it is important to know what we’re sleeping on.  A few years ago, when I interviewed Dr. Jean Hofve about Feline Hyperthyroidism, I asked her if they knew what caused hyperthyroidism in cats.  She said they weren’t sure, but that it could be linked to fire retardants used in carpets, bedding, etc. that cats lay on day in and day out.  That opened my eyes to many things – canary in a coal mine, anyone?

What Is Natural Bedding?

Made from organic materials only, natural bedding for cats can prevent contact with quite a few potentially harmful substances. It looks the same as regular bedding products on the outside, but there’s quite a big difference on the inside.

How Can Regular Bedding Be Harmful?

As a result of the industrial production of regular mattresses and pillows for pets, these products are treated with special substances to make them durable. However, these substances have very harmful effects on the animals sleeping on this type of bedding.

For example, the flame-retardant substance used in mattresses can affect the neurological system, as well as hormonal balance, and even lead to some forms of cancer. This also happens with bedding for humans.

Organic Alternatives for Cat Bedding

While this problem is far from being solved, there are alternatives to regular bedding that provide a safe environment for sleeping. How do they do that? By using natural fabrics and keeping the process chemical-free. For example, Mountain Air Organic Beds makes human beds and mattresses by using organic cotton and an organic wool casing instead of polyurethane foam.

The same can be found for your cat and it will make a significant difference. Cats are even more exposed to chemical dangers from improper bedding because they spend quite a bit of time on the floor. House dust is a great absorbent for these toxic substances, which is why eliminating as many as you will keep your cat healthier.

The effects of improper bedding are not seen immediately, but in time. Exposed to substances as the flame-retardant in mattresses, your cat may develop neurological or hormonal issues.  After researching this for some time, I have found that people report waking up with less aches and pains when they wake up on a natural or organic mattress.

How Will the Cat React to an Organic Bed?

Considering that natural bedding is made with organic materials only, your cat is likely to prefer it to regular bedding. It is a simple change that your cat is going to love and that will keep it safe for years to come.

The issue of natural bedding is not a mainstream one, for either people or cats, but steering clear of the dangerous chemicals in synthetic mattresses is something we should all consider.

Are you at all worried about the products your kitty is sleeping on?