In this post we are going to answer the question of “why does my cat sleep next to me?”. It’s a question often asked because cats are known
for being independent creatures. It’s usually dogs that are better known for showing more love and compassion towards their owners, but cats can often show this too.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 50 percent of pet owners living in the United States allow their pet to sleep next to them during the night.
If you are a cat owner who let’s your cat sleep next to you, you may be wondering is it healthy? Is it hygienic, and are their any risks? This article on why does my cat sleep next to me will cover all of these topics and show you 5 reasons why your cat sleeps with you.
Why Does My Cat Sleep Next To Me?
1. Cats Love Comfort
Cats can be very playful at times but they also sleep for around 15 hours a day. We often find cats sleeping in all kinds of weird places, but your fluffy bed with all of those extra layers and soft sheets is at the top of the list. This is one of the reasons why your kitty loves snuggling up with your every night.
2. For The Warmth
You’ll notice that cats love to curl up and sleep in nice warm places. A cats average body temperature is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If its too cold then a cats body will have to work harder to maintain this average temperature.
If you live in a cold part of the world then certain places in the house, especially at night may not be warm enough. This is why they love to snuggle up in bed next to you. The heat from your body will act as a radiator which will keep your cat nice and warm.
3. Showing Love
Dogs are well known for showing love to their owners but it’s a different story when it comes to cat. All cats are unique with very different personalities but it general, most cats are independent and will show love in a different way to that of a dog.
Sleeping with you may be one of the ways your cat is showing you love and affection. This may be more common if you have had your cat as a kitten from the first two to seven weeks of their life. This is due to the fact that you take over as the mother figure and will gain their complete devotion.
4. They are Territorial
With cats being very territorial creatures, one of the reasons they may be sleeping with you is because they think it is actually their bed and not using. They are seeing it as you are sleeping in their bed which is also a sign that your cat trusts you enough to let you sleep with them.
Another sign of marking territory is if they are scratching the the bed with their claws. If a cat regularly rubs against you, kneads or head rubs when on your bed then they are claiming both you and your bed as theirs.
5. Cats Love Security
Even if your cat appears to be very relaxed, they are always in constant alertness. Cats in the wild are very vulnerable when they are asleep, so they take this predatory instinct and come to you for safety. Sleeping next to uou will allow them to lower their guard and feel more relaxed.
Why does your cat sleep on certain parts of your body?
You’ve probably noticed that cats prefer to sleep on certain parts of your body. Here are some explanations on why they do this.
Why do cats sleep on your head?
- Your head is warm.
- Your head doesn’t move as much as your arms and legs do during the night.
- You cat may be attracted to the smell of your hair and shampoo.
Why do cats sleep on your chest?
Dr. Satchu explains that cats may be drawn to the sounds of your body. “Cats likely find some benefit to our very slow and calm respiratory patterns while we sleep,” she says.
This is when we are at our most calm and most cats tend to echo those same sentiments, even though they get to sleep for a good 18 hours each day!”
Why do cats sleep on your lap?
Your lap is a nice warm spot where you cat can curl up and relax and also receive petting and attention.
Why do cats sleep with their backs toward us?
A cat sitting with his back to you is actually a sign of trust and not that they are being rude. Cats out in the wild are very vulnerable as they are also the prey. This means that they like to position themselves in the safest place possible.
Sitting with their back to you means they do not see you as danger and they are watching out in the environment for both of you.
Is it good to sleep with your cat?
It all depends on the individual and the personality of your cat, but there are advantages and disadvantages of allowing your cat to sleep with you. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros of letting your cat sleep with you
- Relieves stress: Snuggling and petting your cat can actually relieve stress. This works by increasing levels of oxytocin, which is a happy hormone. It also reduces levels of a stress hormone called cortisol and the benefits also help to lower your blood pressure.
- Calming: Pets are great for keeping you calm and protecting against loneliness.
- Bond: Allowing your cat to sleep in the same bed as you will build a great bond between the two of you.
- Warmth: The added body heat of your cat is a great way to keep warm on a cold winter night.
Cons of letting your cat sleep with you
- Hygiene: Every time your cat goes outside they will pick up all kinds of germs and dirt on their fur and paws. The biggest concern with letting your cat sleep in bed with you is hygiene.
- Allergies: Some people will have mild allergies to cats and they may not even know it because they show no signs of it. Your cat sleeping next to you all night may actually bring these allergies out which will disrupt your sleep.
- Disruption: All cats are very different and some may be more energetic than others, but pretty much most cats will cause disruption to your sleep due to being active, moving around, or trying to lye on you.
- Hair: Hair from your cat will get absolutely everywhere and is extremely difficult to remove the hair from your bed sheets.
- Parasites and fungal infections: Sleeping next to your cat all night could be exposing you to mites, fleas, hookworms, and roundworms.
What to do if your cat is ruining your own sleep
You may be thinking “can you train a cat to sleep with you?”. There are a number of things you can do to prevent any disruptions during the night. Here are some tips for you to try.
1. Automatic feeder
Using an automatic pet feeder will allow your cat to snack during the night without disturbing you. Here are a couple of great options:
2. Play session
Having a play session with your cat and their favorite toys is great for bonding, but it also ensures that they can release all of their energy before bedtime.
3. A Second Cat
This may not be for everybody but you should consider getting a second cat to keep your cat company. Having somebody to play with will prevent them from waking you and disrupting your sleep.
Common Questions
Why does my cat sleep with me every night?
If your cat likes sleeping with you every night then this a sign that they trust and like you very much. If you look after your kitty and have regular play sessions, you will build a great bond and they will see you as a good sleeping companion.
Is it bad to sleep next to your cat?
Not only is a cat soft and cozy who will keep you warm on them cold winter nights, but their purring actually stimulates similar effects to that of a white noise machine which can be very calming and help reduce stress.
On the downside, there are potential risks of being exposed to parasites and bacteria.
Why does my cat sleep on the corner of my bed?
A cat sleeping on the corner of a bed is them claiming territory, or just simply finding a certain spot they love. You’ll also find that cats do the exact same thing with a sofa where they find a favorite spot that they always seem to relax on.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this article on why does my cat sleep next to me. Do you allow your cat to sleep with you at night and do they disturb you? Let us know in the comments below.
