Cats can be quite active at night, keeping their owners awake with their zoomies, playing, and demands for attention. As cat owners search for a way to get a good night’s sleep, some wonder if locking their feline in the bathroom will do the trick.
However, this raises questions about whether confining a cat to the bathroom overnight is humane or safe.
If you’re short on time, locking a cat in the bathroom overnight is generally not recommended. Cats need adequate space to roam, appropriate litter box access, and enrichment.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into considerations around locking a cat in the bathroom overnight including animal welfare concerns, safety issues, alternatives for a good night’s sleep, and tips if you decide to try it.
Animal Welfare Concerns with Locking Cats in Bathrooms Overnight
Lack of Sufficient Space
While bathrooms may seem like confined safe spaces, they rarely provide enough adequate room for a cat’s needs. The average bathroom size in the US is only around 5′ x 8′ (1.5 x 2.4 m) which equates to about 40 square feet.
However, cats require much more space for sleeping, eating, litter use, playing and stretching their legs. According to experts at the ASPCA, locked cats can show symptoms of stress and restlessness similar to zoo animals when enclosed in tight quarters over extended times.
Inability to Use Litter Box Freely
When closed in bathrooms, cats can’t access their litter box freely to relieve themselves. Depending on how long they’re kept confined, they may resort to soiling areas outside the box to avoid discomfort or health issues from retaining wastes.
Soiled bathrooms can also lead to sanitation problems and foul odors if not cleaned promptly. The WebMD Pet Health Community recommends always giving cats unrestricted litter box access to encourage good elimination habits and prevent inappropriate accidents around homes.
Lack of Proper Enrichment
Bathrooms offer little stimulation and fail to meet feline environmental enrichment needs. Essential forms of cat enrichment like scratching posts, cat trees, toys and windows for birdwatching are absent.
When locked in sterile bathrooms overnight frequently, cats can suffer declines in physical activity and mental engagement. According to veterinary research from ScienceDirect, higher levels of enrichment help decrease stress hormones, improve immune system function and add years to kitties’ lifespans.
Providing proper cat enrichments should be a daily responsibility for all caring pet owners.
Safety Risks of Confining Cats to Bathrooms Overnight
Risk of Accidents and Injuries
Leaving a cat alone in an enclosed bathroom overnight can expose them to several safety risks and potential accidents. Here are some key concerns:
- Slipping hazards from smooth, tile floors. Cats may slide around and hurt themselves.
- Danger of getting burned from hot surfaces like radiators or pipes.
- Risk of injury from falling into the toilet bowl or getting stuck in the bathtub.
- Access to toxic cleaning supplies under sinks or counters.
- Pawing at electrical cords and risk of shock.
- Knocking over glass containers or self-care products that can shatter.
Stress and Anxiety
Being confined to a small space overnight can also cause emotional distress for cats. Signs of stress may include:
- Excessive meowing or crying.
- Agitated pacing and scratching at the door.
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat.
- Anti-social behavior like aggression or hiding.
- Overgrooming their fur out of compulsion.
- Urinating or defecating outside the litter box.
Cats are naturally active at dawn and dusk. Being cooped up against their natural rhythm can frustrate them. The bathroom’s unfamiliar setting and isolation from the rest of the home is also scary for some cats.
Overgrooming Behaviors
Excessive licking or hair pulling as a coping mechanism may also occur in confined cats. A 2021 survey by UC Davis Veterinary Medicine found that up to 50% of cats demonstrate repetitive overgrooming when anxious. Consequences include:
- Hairballs from ingesting too much fur while grooming.
- Bald spots, wounds or skin infections from over-licking areas.
- GI issues like vomiting or constipation from swallowing hair.
In extreme cases, obsessive licking may point to psychological disorders like feline hyperesthesia syndrome. So premature overgrooming in young cats can signal an unhealthy level of stress.
Alternatives for a Peaceful Night’s Sleep
Playtime Before Bed
Getting your cat to expend some energy right before bedtime is a great way to encourage a restful night’s sleep. Try playing with interactive toys like feather wands, laser pointers, or treat balls for 15-20 minutes. This mimics their natural hunting behavior and helps them feel satisfied and tired.
Make sure playtime ends at least an hour before bed so your cat has time to calm down.
A Cozy Cat Bed
Having a designated sleeping space can prevent your cat from keeping you up. Place a comfy cat bed, preferably elevated off the floor, in your bedroom or another quiet area of the house. Make it extra cozy by adding a fuzzy blanket or heating pad on low.
This gives kitty a place to retreat instead of jumping on you. Stick to a sleeping schedule by putting them in their bed when it’s time for lights out.
Nightlights and Soothing Music
Cats can get anxious in the dark or respond to small noises, disrupting sleep. Try keeping a nightlight on or playing calming music to help them feel more relaxed. Sounds of nature, like bird song or ocean waves, work great.
There are even cat-specific playlists available online or CDs made just for feline ears. You can also try Feliway or other pheromone diffusers to encourage a chilled out environment.
Automatic Toys
When you’re sleeping, your cat may get bored and try to pester you for playtime. Entertain them with self-activating toys like treat balls, moving tail toys, or interactive play mats. These provide mental stimulation and physical activity to keep midnight zoomies at bay.
Automated laser toys can allow for independent play as well. Just be sure to position them away from your bed. With their toy urges satisfied, kitty will be more inclined to leave you undisturbed.
Tips If You Decide to Lock Your Cat in the Bathroom Overnight
Litter Box Set Up
If you plan to lock your cat in the bathroom overnight, it is crucial to set up a litter box for them. The litter box should be in a quiet, low-traffic area of the bathroom. Make sure the litter box is clean and has enough litter in case they need to use it multiple times.
Scoopable, clumping litter is best as it’s more sanitary. Place a mat or newspaper under the litter box to catch any kicking litter. Leaving your cat without a litter box overnight can lead to accidents and stress.
Leave Out Food and Water
Don’t forget to leave your cat food and fresh water for the night. A bowl filled with dry food allows them to graze as needed. Canned food can be left out but may spoil if not eaten right away. Make sure their water bowl is full and placed far from their food and litter box.
A water fountain is ideal as it keeps water circulating. Limit food close to bedtime to help reduce bathroom needs at night. A hungry, thirsty cat is not a happy cat!
Provide a Comfy Place to Sleep
While your bathroom may not initially seem cozy, you can help your cat settle in for the night. Place a pet bed, blankets, or towels in a quiet corner for them. Elevated surfaces like a countertop, hamper, or shelves can make a great perch too.
Your cat will appreciate having options to lounge and sleep. You can also bring in familiar items like a toy or bed from their usual space to help them feel more at ease.
Give Them Toys or TV for Stimulation
To keep your cat entertained while confined overnight, provide ample toys and activities. Rotate novel toys to pique their interest and curiosity. Catnip toys, balls, and interactive feeders with treats provide mental and physical stimulation.
Turning on a TV, radio, or cat-friendly YouTube videos provides soothing background noise and something for them to watch. Just make sure the volume isn’t too loud to overstimulate them.
Start with Short Time Periods
If locking your cat in the bathroom is new to them, start with short time frames first. Begin with just an hour or two during the day to see how they handle it. Slowly work up to leaving them for longer periods. Cats are creatures of habit and introducing changes gradually helps ease anxiety.
Pay attention to their reaction when you let them out. If they seem extremely stressed, confinement overnight may not be the best option for your feline.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to lock your cat in the bathroom overnight so you can get some sleep, this practice raises welfare and safety concerns. Cats need space, enrichment, and litter box access. As an alternative, provide active playtime before bed, set up a cozy sleeping space, and consider toys or music to occupy them.
If you decide to try confining them, ensure basic needs are met and start with short time periods. Overall, locking cats in bathrooms overnight is controversial and not typically recommended.
