Why is my cat digging on my bed?
Cats are real masters in our homes. Each cat has its favorite places and pieces of furniture. And often they pay special attention to our beds. Surely, almost every cat owner at least once asked similar questions and looked for answers to them:
Why Is My Cat Digging On My Bed? Why is my cat digging into my blanket? Why does my cat dig her claws into my bed? Why is my cat trying to dig? Why does my cat dig the bed before lying down?
Of course, we’ve all seen cats dig into their litter boxes many times. This is a normal natural instinct. But sometimes our cats start digging on the bed. This is also a completely natural reaction that is often observed in the wild when cats dig in strange places for fun. As a cat owner, there is nothing to worry about in terms of the cat’s overall health.
But why is this happening? And what should you do if you want to get rid of this habit immediately? It is extremely important to start by understanding the symptoms that accompany this habit. Once you identify these symptoms, you will know that immediate action is needed.
Why is my cat digging on my bed?
Contents
Why is my cat digging on my bed? – 5 Main Reasons
We already know that cats are incredibly inquisitive creatures. Your cat is like most of them in that they spend most of the day investigating their surroundings. She is undoubtedly investigating your bed to see what is going on.
As we continue discussing this, we’ll go over the most frequent causes of your pet’s bed-digging behavior. Let’s find the answer!
#1. The cat wants to get your attention
Perhaps this is the most common reason that she digs into your bed. She will vigorously scratch your bedding if you are ready to fall asleep to prevent you from doing so. Maybe your pet hasn’t played long enough and wants you to take her toys out of the box.
Your cat may also begin to gently rumple your skin or lightly scratch your bed when it needs attention. All cats love to be petted, held, and played with. They will keep you up all night if you don’t give them enough time during the day.
#2. The cat wants to hide something
Why do cats frequently dig? Consider that for a moment. Right, to conceal something? This may also provide an explanation for why your cat is causing damage to your bed. Perhaps she “stole” a celery stalk or a popcorn kernel from your bowl, and she’s now attempting to conceal the proof. Thoroughly inspect your bedsheet; you could locate anything your cat was nibbling on.
This behavior was inherited from their ancestors. In the past, cats had to bury their food in the wild so that other animals couldn’t find it. If you have several cats in your house, one of them may hide his cat treats in your bed so that the other cats do not find them. In this case, make sure that each cat has its own food station and enough personal space.
Why is my cat digging on my bed?
#3. Your cat is marking its territory
Your cat may dig into your bed to assert his dominance in the house, as cats have scent glands on the soles of their paws. If you brought home a new pet, most likely he will want to mark as many places in the apartment as possible with his smell.
Cats appreciate scent markings because they help them communicate with each other and clearly indicate areas where entry is prohibited.
#4. Stress
The reason why your cat might be digging in your bed could be stress. Maybe your life situation has changed, you’ve got a new pet, or another person has moved in with the two of you. Your cat may be anxious for any reason.
If this behavior started suddenly, be sure to investigate what happened and try to find the cause in order to understand what happened and help your cat. Try to remove sources of stress and, if you can, promote relaxation. Your cat will be grateful and you will be able to enjoy spending time together.
#5. Daily exercise
Who doesn’t need regular exercise, let’s face it? Okay, you may not hit the gym often, but I’m sure you walk at least 30 minutes every day.
And what about your cat? Do you spend enough time playing with her, or do you let her play alone? Do you encourage her natural hunting instincts, or does she hunt on her own? Analyze how you influence your cat’s behavior when she starts digging in your bed.
Your cat will try to find a solution if he doesn’t get his daily dose of exercise, and in this situation, he will most likely start digging into your bed.
Why is my cat digging on my bed?
Why is my cat digging on my bed? – 5 Ways On How to Stop a Cat From Digging On Your Bed
Now you know 5 likely reasons for “Why is my cat digging on my bed?” But how to fix it? What to do to wean a cat from this habit?
Sometimes pet care can be very difficult and we have to work very hard to interpret non-verbal cues. It would be easier for us to understand their requirements if they spoke, but we, cat owners, manage somehow, don’t we?
Let’s discuss 5 ways to stop your cat from digging on the bed.
1. Make your bed uninteresting for your cat
The first way is to make your bed uncomfortable and uninteresting for your cat. To do this, you can use sheets or a blanket made of a fabric that your cat does not like. You can scold the cat when it jumps on the bed, or even splash some cold water on her. (Don’t overdo it, you don’t want to scare or offend your kitty!)
Another way is to use a laundry detergent with a scent that they don’t like (like citrus). Also, try to keep the door to your room closed.
In this article, you will find many ways to get your cat out of bed.
2. Buy a scratching post
Why not provide the cat with a suitable area to dig if it wants to? The cat may enjoy itself on the scratching post without endangering the furnishings.
Additionally, it will get nice exercise while doing this, and the claws will stay strong. The fact that everyone benefits makes cat scratching posts popular among cat owners. That’s why it makes sense to install a beautiful cat scratching post.
The benefits of scratching posts include:
- A safe place to dig/scratch
- Cat claws are perfect
- Outstanding for Mental Health
Here you can find a detailed review of the best wall-mounted scratching posts for your furry friend.
3. Let your cat out more often
Have you recently had the chance to let your cat outside? If a cat doesn’t spend enough time alone outside, it may become disruptive. This explains why some breeds don’t do well with constant confinement indoors! Consider the requirements of the cat, particularly if it is clawing or digging everywhere.
As long as you let them go outside, many fluffies are great outdoors and will only behave this way (digging and scratching) when they are outside. Anything you want to dig or scrape will take up space outside the house. This is beneficial for you, your furniture, and the cat.
Of course, you need to make sure your cat has a safe space (such as a backyard) where she can run and frolic. If you live in an apartment, you can make a safe catio on your balcony.
4. Train your cat
Training your cat is a wise suggestion. Working with your cat to ensure that it recognizes when anything is wrong is crucial. Many pets won’t understand that what they are doing is wrong or “bad,” therefore you will need to communicate the message to them.
To find out what works best for your cat’s training, you can experiment with different toys and/or cat treats. To train your cat, you need to follow simple rules:
- You have to be kind when dealing with a cat that is digging in your bed.
- Do not shout so as not to scare your cat – your goal is to let the cat know what you want from him.
- You don’t have to be harsh, and small adjustments can make a big difference.
- Always reward your cat with a treat or a kind word when he does what you want him to do.
5. Pay more attention to your pet
Giving her your full attention is one of the easiest things you can do. I noticed that inattention towards your cat was one of the reasons why she dug up your bed. Even if you are a workaholic and too busy, you can still find time to cuddle with her during the day.
Play toys with her, try a feather toy, or start the game by tossing her a ball (some kitties love this). Whichever solution you choose, be sure to spend time with your cat!
Your cat needs to feel your affection, so you should not buy only toys with which she must play on her own. Don’t be afraid to play with her sometimes and cuddle with her when she allows it. I can assure you that she will be a happy cat if you take good care of her.
Why is my cat digging on my bed? Final Thoughts
Finally, we have come to the end of our article. Today we were looking for an answer to the question “Why is my cat digging on my bed?”. I think every cat owner is familiar with this behavior and everyone has been through it. And now you know the 5 main reasons for your cat’s behavior and 5 working ways to fix it.
Personally, I think the best 2 ways are to get a scratching post and spend enough time with the cat. Don’t worry if you can’t wean your friend from digging right away. This may take some time and enough patience and love. Join your favorite furry friend in his games and enjoy spending time together!
If you are interested in the unusual behavior of your furry friend and you are looking for the answer to the question “Why does the cat sleep in a litter box?” – be sure to read our post.
Thank you for reading to the end! Share your cat stories in the comments!
Why is my cat digging on my bed? – Video
Hello! My name is Julia and I am a true cat lover!
From early childhood, cats have always been a part of my life and members of my family. I can’t imagine my life without cats! And now I am a happy owner of three wonderful cats. On my website, I will share my experience of life with cats. Here you will find articles about cat behavior, care, and reviews of the best gadgets and furniture for cats. I hope my site will be useful to you!