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An elderly Black grandma tucks a cream blanket around an orange longhair cat curled in a round plaid pet bed. 10 / 30

Grandma Odessa Has a Bedtime Routine for Marmalade, and It Involves a Blanket

AI imageorange catcat bedbedtime

Bedtime arrives with a little ceremony in Odessa's house. She leans over a round plaid pet bed, the kind made for a medium-sized dog but clearly claimed by a cat, and tucks a soft cream blanket snugly around Marmalade's shoulders. Her face is calm and focused, the same expression a grandmother might wear tucking a child in at night. Marmalade sits nestled in the cushioned ring with only his round face and fluffy chest showing above the blanket, his eyes half closed in sleepy approval. Around them, the room is cozy and a bit cluttered: a mug and glasses on the side table, a pencil cup, a houseplant, and a couch draped with a rumpled throw.

Many cats love enclosed, padded beds because the raised sides help them feel secure and hold in body heat. Cats often seek out warm, sheltered spots to sleep, and they can spend a large part of the day dozing. A bed with high sides, a soft lining, and a washable blanket can become a favorite retreat, especially for older cats whose joints appreciate the extra cushioning. Placing the bed away from drafts and heavy foot traffic, and near a spot where the family gathers, helps a cat feel both safe and included. Washing bedding regularly also helps manage shedding and keeps things fresh for long-haired cats.

Marmalade may or may not stay tucked in once Odessa turns out the light. Cats tend to follow their own sleep schedules. But for this moment, swaddled and drowsy, he looks like the most well-loved cat in the neighborhood, and he probably is.

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