Cats have a reputation for being independent, which might make you wonder why you wake up some mornings to find your cat next to you or even lying on your head. Various reasons tempt your cat into bed with you, but they all have one thing in common—they show how much your cat loves and trusts you.
If you have a cat, you know a cat’s aloof reputation is a little unfair. Cats want to spend time with their humans, despite what people think. So, let’s look at all the reasons that special kitty in your life wants to spend time with you at bedtime.
The 7 Reasons Why Cats Like to Sleep With Their People So Much
1. Love and Trust You
Just like humans, our pets show us that they love us in different ways, which is why you might have noticed that your cat, that hates to be held or cuddled, enjoys sleeping next to you at night.
Sleeping with someone they love might also remind your cat of when they were a kitten and would cuddle with their mother and siblings. Hearing your heartbeat and the sounds you make during the night will relax them into a deep sleep, which is similar to what they heard growing up.
2. Security
Cats might be predators, but they’re small, which means they risk being attacked by another bigger predator. Cats are at their most vulnerable when they’re asleep, and you provide them with extra security should they be attacked during the night. This also shows how much they trust you because they don’t expect you to attack them.
3. Territory and Protection
Cats are known to be territorial, so it’s unsurprising that they might consider you theirs and theirs alone. Your cat might show other signs of making you their territory by rubbing their head on you or walking on your bed because they have glands on their heads and feet that release pheromones.
4. Warmth
If there’s a patch of sunlight in your home, chances are you’ll find your cat lying in it; cats love to be warm, so it makes sense that your cat is drawn to your head or feet at night when most of the heat escapes your body.
5. Comfort
Your cat might be sleeping with you for emotional and psychological comfort. If you have a multi-cat household, you might notice the tension between the cats, and one of the cats may prefer sleeping with you for security.
Cats are also more in tune with their owners’ emotions than people give them credit for. So, if you’re feeling distressed, sad, or anxious, your cat might sleep next to you to help ease your worries.
6. You’re Family
Cats recognize that we’re bigger than them, but scientists have surmised that cats think of us as hairless, clumsy cats. So, your cat is treating you exactly like they would another cat. You’re family, and your cat clearly loves and trusts you enough to want to keep you company when you sleep. Consider it a huge compliment.
7. Missed You
If you’ve been away or busier than usual, your cat might take the chance to spend some time with you. Cats are very social, despite what some might think, so sleeping next to you could indicate how lonely they’ve felt if they haven’t spent much time with you lately.
Should You Let Your Cat Sleep With You?
There are many positives to your cat sleeping beside you, but you might wonder if it’s something you benefit from and if there are any downsides.
Benefits of sleeping next to your cat:
Downsides to sleeping next to your cat:
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to you and your cat sleeping next to one another, but it is a personal preference, and some pet parents might prefer not to, especially if they are restless or light sleepers. However, it’s clear that cats enjoy sleeping with their people for various reasons. Whatever the motivation, it shows how much you’re trusted and loved by the special kitty in your life.
Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock