There is nothing more rewarding than having your feline friend curled up in your lap, enjoying the moment. But you may be wondering: Why does my cat sleep on me? Maybe it is a first-time thing or a regular occurrence, but is there any reasoning behind this behavior?
The 9 Reasons Your Cat Sleeps on You
1. Seeking Your Warmth
If you have cared for your cat for a while, you may have observed their common behavior of lying in a nice, warm, and sunny spot in your house, garden, or balcony. Some cats even lie on top of electronics because of the soothing heat they produce. In fact, a cat’s normal body temperature is between 101.0 and 102.5°F. They originally descended from desert animals, so it is only natural for them to seek warmth.
2. Comfort
When your cat decides to cuddle up to you unexpectedly during the day or night, they may be seeking comfort. When your cat feels like being social, they may decide to come snuggle up to you. They may or may not want to be stroked, so check out how your cat behaves if you try to interact with them while they are resting. Most cats will gladly let you give them a subtle scratch behind their ear.
3. Security
Your cat may decide to snuggle up to you when they are feeling vulnerable or even scared. There might be something in the environment that could be causing them distress, such as loud noises, new pets, guests, or a change in their surroundings.
4. Hungry
Feeding time can tell you a lot about your cat’s behavior. Your cat may approach and rub around your legs or perch on a part of your body. They may be trying to signal to you that they are hungry for their breakfast.
5. Not Feeling Well
Your cat might want to be extra close to you if they are not feeling well, it may be their way of trying to tell you and to comfort themselves with a human they trust. If your cat starts doing this and you have noticed other changed behaviors, like sleeping more than usual or being less eager to eat, these may be signs of an underlying illness. It is best to take them to the vet for a health check-up.
6. Comfortable Seat or Bed
If you are resting on a nice soft bed or relaxing on your couch, your cat may find this a desirable and comfortable spot as well.
7. Thanking You
Your cat may be sleeping on you to thank you for something you recently did that pleased them, such as feeding them or giving them a treat or a new toy. It is not uncommon to see your cat show their gratitude.
8. Showing Affection
Your feline friend could simply just be trying to bond with you and show you affection. This is quite common with social animals or if they are feeling a bit lonely, even though most cats choose to ignore their owners most of the time.
9. Showing You Love
Your cat may be showing you love and happiness. They may just generally enjoy spending time with you, and your presence makes them feel safe and loved. This is commonly seen at night if your cat decides to cuddle up on you in your bed.
Is This a Sign That Something is Wrong?
If you suspect this behavior to be health-related, call your vet. If you think your cat is looking for warmth, placing a pillow or cat bed in a sunny spot will help deter this behavior.
Conclusion
Although there seem to be a few reasons for this behavior, almost all of the reasons are positive. Also, a typically antisocial cat deciding to take a nap on someone’s lap may be a big achievement for most pet parents!
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Featured Image Credit: Alena Ozerova, Shutterstock
