Can Kittens Breathe Under Blankets? Are they safe?

Yes, kittens can breathe under blankets. You do not have to worry if your kitten chooses to lay under a blanket, as they have very strong self-preservation instincts. If they couldn’t breathe, they would get out of there as fast as possible.

Think about it: Your cat wouldn’t put himself in a dangerous situation, right? It doesn’t matter if it is a situation with another dangerous animal or a situation where the kitten could harm itself. They typically do their absolute best to avoid putting themselves in harm’s way.

Can kittens breathe under blankets? 

Unless the blanket is extremely thick or non-ventilated, it should be easy for your kitten to breathe under it. Usually, air finds its way in, either through holes in the fabric, or through openings between the blanket and the floor, sofa, bed, or whatever else your cat might be laying on. After all, air can pass through almost any fabric, and a blanket will most likely not be a problem.

Be careful with thicker blankets, though. Especially blankets that are folded in multiple layers, as these will be more air-restrictive. While these could be more dangerous for a kitten, I doubt they would be a problem either, though. For a blanket to be a real danger for a kitten, it would have to be both air-restrictive, and easy to get tangled up in. As long as your cat can easily crawl out from under the blanket, they will do so as soon as they notice any difficulty breathing.

When my cat was a small kitten, he loved laying under blankets, usually next to me when I was sitting on the sofa. Sometimes, he got in deep, and sometimes he left his head or tail sticking out, to ensure he had a quick way of getting out. He seemed to like this, and I felt safe knowing I was usually next to him in case there would be any problems. Luckily, he never seemed to get stuck in any way, and I didn’t really ever have to worry. Often he relaxed shortly after his playtime, which used to last for about 30 minutes.

What’s making me even more confident is that I’ve never heard a story of a cat having problems breathing because of laying under a blanket. As always, every cat is different, and you should be careful in the beginning, studying how he or she behaves.

Blankets that are not safe for kittens

So, most blankets are okay for kittens. But are there any blankets that you should avoid? Yes, there is! Be careful with any blanket that air will have a hard time passing through, these are most likely made out of some sort of plastic, and are hard to find. The only example of a blanket like this that I have seen was made out of fabric on one side, and a thicker material on the other side. I don’t know if it was plastic, though, but I can say for sure that it was not nearly as well-ventilated as a regular blanket.

Also, weighted blankets could be a problem, as kittens might not be strong enough to crawl out if they have problems breathing. Remember, kittens are not very strong, so just a few pounds of weight holding them down could be a problem to overcome for their small bodies. The same goes for weighted sheets, which are typically even heavier. As a rule of thumb, just make sure that there is an easy escape-way, should your cat need it.  

So, Do you have a vinyl blanket laying around on your sofa? You haven’t? Shocking, but good to hear. Your most likely do not have to worry about your kitten suffocating under it, so let your cat hide away in the warmth a cozy blanket can provide.

Why do cats burrow under blankets?

So, your cat loves to burrow under blankets? Do not worry about this, as we’ve already covered, this is safe. But why does a cat do this? Most likely, it is to feel safe. This is encoded in their DNA, and even though your cat might only spend time indoors, their ancestors did not. Cats have evolved during hundreds of thousands of years to look for safe spots, where they can hide from potential predators. 

Burrowing under blankets provides a good spot to hide, as cats usually look for warm, dark, and discreet spots to hide away in. This also provides a good spot to safely scout for, and attack prey. Again, while your apartment our house typically isn’t a good place to hunt in, this is passed down to your cat from its ancestors. 

Further, your cat might just be seeking a warm spot to escape the cold. If your home is cold, your cat could just be seeking some warmth. Especially short-haired cats seem to do this since their fur provides less protection against the weather.

Or your cat is just looking to be alone for a while. Just like humans, some cats need more alone time. If your cat often seeks to be alone, you should give it some time. While some cats always seem to want company, others are the opposite. All cats and kittens are different, so treat them accordingly.

Conclusion

Yes, kittens can hide breathe under blankets, and this is not something you have to worry about. As long as you keep regular blankets made out of standard fabric, air can pass through them without problem, and your cat will be able to breathe fine. 

Got any experience with your own cats or kittens? Please share them in the comments below, I would be happy to hear from you!