Why do cats sleep on you?

Picture the scene: you’ve sat down, got nice and comfy on the sofa, and within approximately 0.5 seconds your cat has planted itself upon your lap - trapping you for potentially hours. We hope you’ve had a recent bathroom break…

Sound familiar? Whether you’re a pet parent yourself or you’re cat sitting for a new feline friend, it’s a special moment for us cat lovers - after all, it means you are the chosen one! But, it does beg the question: why do cats sleep on you? 

Cats are a mystery, and we wouldn’t dare to unpick their complex kitty brains in a 4 minute article. However, there are a number of reasons that help to answer the big ‘why do cats like to sleep on you?’ question. Here are a few to get you started…

Why do cats like sleeping on you?

I mean - we’re definitely not complaining. But our feline friends get up to a lot of weird and wonderful things which can often leave us cat lovers scratching our noggin’ trying to find out why. I mean, why do cats purr? Why do cats enjoy sitting in an Amazon delivery box over their fluffy, expensive cat bed? The mind boggles… 

And so, we're curious: why do cats like to sleep on top of you? Let’s explore some of the main reasons for this adorable cat sleeping position...

Reason 1: They enjoy the warmth

Our furry family members love nothing more than a warm, cosy place to snooze - and sometimes, that place is you! 

Did you know your cat's normal body temperature is around 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit? It’s true, and by snoozing up to their warm, cosy human, they are able to maintain their perfect body temperature with ease. It’s the same reason why your cat loves sleeping by a sunny window, or in a nice sun spot in the garden. 

In other words, if you’re pondering the question why do cats want to sleep on you?, it could be that your kitty simply sees you as an excellent source of heat. I mean, did we expect anything less? If you're worried about your kitty maintaining a normal cat temperature, check out our blog on how to keep them warm over the winter months.

Reason 2: To bond with you

Now, this is the answer we wanted to see! So - why do cats sleep on top of you? It may simply be because they loooove you. 

Despite what you may have heard, cats can be incredibly affectionate - any experienced cat owner could tell you that. 

Sleeping on you can be an excellent bonding experience, and so, when your cat chooses to snooze on you, they’re essentially saying, ‘Human - I want to spend time with you!’ (and they might even be dreaming about you too!). We’re flattered, honestly.

Reason 3: To mark their territory

Cats can be incredibly territorial, so sometimes the simplest answer to the ‘why do cats want to sleep on top of you’ question is this: they are marking their territory, aka, you. 

To mark something as ‘theirs’, cats release pheromones to claim their territory - usually by rubbing their heads on you or objects around the home. 

In other words, when your cat snoozes on you, they are leaving their scent and making it clear to any other cats sniffing around that you are theirs - and only theirs, capiche?

We suppose it's kind of cute in a way, no?

Reason 4: For safety and security

Having your feline friend choose to sleep on you not only reinforces your relationship, but it's also a surefire sign that they trust you and feel safe in your company, too. 

In the wild, cats need to find a safe place to sleep and rest in between hunting. Unfortunately, our now domesticated, homebody little kitties didn't quite get the memo that there’s no predators or danger lurking around your home. 

Your cat choosing to snooze on you means they trust you and feels safe in your presence. So, if you’re wondering ‘why do cats sit on you when you sleep’, it could be as simple as a matter of safety. 

Why do cats sit on your chest when you sleep? 

Ok - so we know more or less why your cat may choose to sleep on you. But more specifically, why do cats lay on your chest when you sleep, over another part of your body?

Your heartbeat (and the sound of your breathing) are soothing to your kitty, and helps them to feel calm, content and at ease. So, if your cat prefers to sleep on your chest rather than, say, your lap or legs, it may be because it's closer to your heart. Aww… 

Why do cats sleep on the bed with you? 

Not everyone is a fan of sharing their bedroom with their furry friends, but if your cats love to sleep in your bed, you may be wondering why. 

Actually, it’s more or less because of all the reasons we’ve mentioned above. Think about it: your bed is kind of the perfect place for a kitty. It's warm and cosy. It's safe. Plus, you're there! It's basically the kitty hattrick of sleep surroundings.

Why do cats lay on you when you're sleeping?

Ever awoken to the weighty feel of your cat laying on you as you slumber? Then you’ve almost definitely pondered the question: why do cats sleep on you at night? 

(Most probably in the very early hours of the morning, we’re guessing).

While you are sleeping, your body releases warmth which your kitty is more than happy soak up. Plus, while you're asleep, you are less likely to be moving around and disturbing your cat. Basically, your sleeping form is the perfect kitty bed… Who knew?