My two boys are snuggle bugs, and when they are feeling unwell, there are times when they want to be alone. That being said, my late cat Athos (who I lost not too long ago) was incredibly snuggle and lap obsessed when he was feeling sick – which to be honest, I quite appreciated.
That being said, there are times when you must get up, when you have to go do chores around the house, when you have to exercise, or even times when you might need to focus and thus can’t necessarily have your sick cat in your lap – and in these moments you might feel distressed over leaving your sick cat be.
They are obviously looking for comfort. And no human can be a source of comfort 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if you sat with your cat in your lap every moment you happened to be home, there are times you need to leave the house for work, errands, to see friends, and all sorts of other things. And in these moments you may feel guilty about having to leave a pet who is so attached.
That being said, there are things you can do to help your sick cat feel comforted in your absence, or even in your presence, if you happen to be in need of doing something else momentarily and cannot offer kitty a warm place to sleep for some time.
The following are some of my favourite ideas for creating comfort for a kitty who’s in need of as much comfort as they can get. Let me know in the comments section down below if you can think of more.
Ways to Comfort Sick Cats When They’re Not in Your Lap
1. Place a hot water bottle in an enclosed cat bed.
The level of comfort your cat gets from being in your lap probably can’t be replicated, but the warmth certainly can.
For a low-budget or even free way of ensuring your cat has an incredibly cozy spot to sleep in, grab a hot rubber water bottle and fill it with boiling water. Ideally, use one that has a fabric cover, so your cat does not get burned, though I’ve at times used a large blanket or towel to wrap these and that also does the trick.
Next, place the water bottle in an enclosed cat bed to keep in as much of the heat as you can, and prolong the quantity of time the bottle stays warm. My cats are obsessed with the Trixie Minou Cuddle Cave, so this is 100% what I’d use to put the hot water bottle in.
Then slip kitty in to see if it does the trick.
2. Grab a self-warming cat bed.
There are certain cat beds that are made of fleece and made in such a way that they really do a good job of keeping your cats warm, even if your cats are not enclosed.
This can be handy if your cat doesn’t like more enclosed cat beds, and if you aren’t a fan of using a hot water bottle to heat up a cat bed.
The Petmate Aspen is a really popular option and looks super snuggly, so I can see why. Have a gander at some of these self-warming cat beds as well if you’re looking for the right one.
3. Grab a pet warmer for your warmth-loving cat.
Electric warmers, heated cat houses, and heat mats for cats are pretty popular as well, and are super useful in cases like this. Just make sure you get one that has a load of good reviews and hasn’t got anyone complaining that they malfunctioned on them from a safety perspective.
4. Donate a worn sweater to your comfort-seeking cat.
Now, heat is not the only reason your cat comes to you for cuddles. You’re a reassuring presence for them, one that probably has no comparison to any old object, no matter how comfortable and warm.
That being said, if you can’t be there to hold your cat, a piece of clothing, or even a blanket, like a sweater you’ve worn for a few days, or a blanket you’ve used at night, might help up the comfort level for your kitty.
Dogs are known for having a very acute sense of smell, but cats also have a very strong sense of smell, and your smell on your clothes is incredibly comforting to a cat that loves you.
Cats can often be found sleeping in clothes you leave lying on the floor to use again the next day – nestling in a bundle that smells of you long after the warmth has left the pile of clothes. So “donating” a worn item of clothing so your cat can smell you while sleeping should really help up the comfort level, in my opinion.
5. Using stuffed animals or filled socks to keep your cat company.
I’ve seen a number of people online suggest using stuffed animals or socks that are filled to create a sense of presence around a cat’s little nestling area to help a cat or kitten not feel so alone.
Those who have taken care of kittens who were missing their litter mates often recommend this method.
6. Lining a laundry basket and bringing the basket around with you.
If you’re in the house, but can’t sit for some time, lining a laundry basket with blankets and/or towels and maybe even adding a few of your cat’s favourite toys, or a sweater you’ve worn, then carrying the laundry basket around when you move from room to room might do the trick in keeping your cat happy while not being right in your lap.
Your presence is absolutely wanted and loved, that’s why your cat is glued to your lap. Though you might not be able to comfort your kitty with your lap, this at least allows you to keep them in your presence, so they can hear your voice and feel you nearby, and reap the benefits of the comfort of being around you.
Your Turn: How to Keep a Sick Cat Comforted When They Can’t Be In Your Lap
I’d love to hear any and all ideas you might have on how to keep a sick cat comforted when they can’t be in your lap.
I’d also love to know if any of you have had similar experiences – with a cat who wants to sit in your lap all the time – and how you handled situations where you couldn’t have this, but still wanted to bring your cat comfort.
Looking forward to reading your ideas and stories in the comments section down below!
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