This is one of the real joys for any cat lover. You’re snuggling up on the couch watching a movie when your furry best friend crawls onto your chest and falls asleep.
Or, perhaps less pleasantly, you’ve just made yourself comfortable in bed ready for bed, and your kitty decides there’s no better place than right up against your chest, resulting in being unable to move for hours!
Have you ever wondered why my cat does this? you are not alone! In this article, we’ll explore why cats choose to sleep on their owners.
What’s Normal When It Comes to Cats and Sleep?
Sleeping a lot during the day means your cat is ready and eager to go when needed.
Our cat’s sleep is very different from ours. First, cats sleep a lot more than we do. On average, cats sleep about 15 hours a day, but some less active kittens may sleep 20 hours a day! Cats also tend to take naps throughout the day, rather than long periods of sleep.
This sleep pattern revolves around the cat’s natural hunting behavior. The natural hunting and feeding behavior of cats is to hunt multiple times over a 24-hour period, usually at dawn and dusk or even at night when the prey is most active.
They eat very little but often, needing breaks between meals to digest, or to recover from the exertion of hunting. Sleeping a lot during the day means your cat is ready and eager to go when needed.
Why do cats purr when they sleep?
What does grunting mean?
Cats purr among themselves during many social interactions, including when they groom each other, rub their faces, or rest together.
grunting is a form Social interaction for cats. Cats purr for a number of reasons; this purr can sound different depending on what it means. A grunt can mean anything from a friendly greeting to a call asking for attention.
Cats purr among themselves during many social interactions, including when they groom each other, rub their faces, or rest together. Purring can also indicate stress, anxiety, or fear in negative or distressing situations.
Therefore, purring cannot always be attributed solely to the positive welfare status of the cat in question. Instead, it’s supposed to be a “contact request signal” — by purring, your cat is asking to be contacted with her family or owner.
ALSO READ: 7 Common Cat Meows and What They Mean
The environment in which your cat is purring can be used to gauge what emotions or feelings your cat is experiencing. Some studies have shown that cats even purr differently to elicit different responses from their owners!
What does it mean when my cat purrs in her sleep?
It’s probably not surprising that cats seek out somewhere warm during nap time, whether it’s a radiator, fresh laundry, or even their human body.
If your cat is sleeping curled up on your lap and purring, it’s likely a sign of contentment and relaxation. Those low guttural sounds are your cat’s way of expressing how comfortable and happy they are in this social situation with you.
Why is my cat lying on my chest when sleeping or relaxing?
No one knows exactly why cats like to sleep on crates, but it may just be to feel warm and safe.
So you’ve spent a ton of money on a premium heated cat bed, created the perfect cat-friendly nook and perch, and your cat has access to your entire house (and maybe even the outside world!).
Also read: 8 Most Common Cat Sleeping Positions and What They Really Mean
Why does your feline friend still choose to seek out you and snuggle up on your chest instead of their pet bed? Some suggested theories for this behavior are discussed below.
warmth
Lying on them can provide your kitty with a really warm place due to your body heat, making nap time even warmer!
It’s probably not surprising that cats seek out somewhere warm during nap time, whether it’s a radiator, fresh laundry, or even their human body. Lying on them can provide your kitty with a really warm place due to your body heat, making nap time even warmer! All parts of your body can provide your cat with a comfortable place to sleep.
Safety
Nap time is when your kitten is most vulnerable. By choosing to sleep with you, your cat recognizes that you can protect her if necessary and sees you as one of the safest places to be.
believe
Also, your kitten choosing to come to you at bedtime shows that she trusts you during this vulnerable sleep time.
friendship
Feral cats often choose to live in loose groups and have been shown to seek companionship during periods of rest and relaxation. Your cat’s choice to come and snuggle with you may be a reflection of this instinctive behavior.
Why is my cat lying on my chest and rubbing me?
Kneading behavior begins in kittens; kneading mom helps stimulate her milk production.
Theories proposed for why it persists into adulthood include cozy memories from childhood, making sleeping areas more comfortable, scent marking (cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones), or even simply stretching.
Sometimes this kneading can be a little painful, but placing a blanket between you and your kitty will protect you from those sharp claws while allowing your cat to exhibit this satisfying behavior.
My cat is lying on my chest sucking or chewing on me. is that normal?
Sucking on blankets or clothes is a self-soothing or comfort-seeking behavior left over from infancy.
While not every adult cat sucks or nurses on a blanket, cat toy, or their owner, some do when relaxing. There are several theories about why cats do this, the most popular of which is a self-soothing or comfort-seeking behavior.
Therefore, some cats do this when they are stressed or anxious, not just when they are resting and relaxing. Interestingly, cats that were taken from their mother before they were ready were much more common.
READ ALSO: 5 Visual Signs of a Stressed Cat and How to Help
While some cats outgrow the behavior, others do it for life. If your cat suddenly starts sucking and they have never sucked before, this could be an indication that something is amiss and it is advisable to speak to your local veterinarian.
My cat won’t sleep on me; should I be worried?
Your cat’s choice to come and snuggle with you may be a reflection of this instinctive behavior.
Research on Cat Behavior Shows Not Every Cat Has the same desire to socialize。 Their social needs can be considered on a spectrum, some cats are happy to cuddle every day, while others lead a more aloof lifestyle.
As such, not every cat will feel comfortable sleeping on top of their feline parent. This does not reflect your cat’s relationship or trust in you, but rather your cat’s intrinsic need for companionship. More aloof cats may express their social bond by spending time with you in different ways; simply choosing to be in the same room as you can provide your cat with adequate social contact.
If your kitten doesn’t decide to come and cuddle, don’t try to force it. It is important to respect the social boundaries your cat sets, as forced contact can lead to the development of stress, anxiety or fearful behaviors. Sadly, not every cat is cute, but your kitty will still find ways to show affection – and they can be subtle!
My cat is lying on me, is it healing me?
While there is no scientific evidence to support this, some people have hypothetical Cat purring, which has a frequency of approximately 25 to 100 Hz, may be beneficial for bone and soft tissue healing. This is because this is similar to the frequency of devices used in human therapeutic medicine.
Questions have been raised about whether cats use their purring as a built-in therapeutic tool for self-healing.While we have no evidence base to support these theories, there are controlled scientific research This shows the benefits of reducing stress and anxiety in humans by interacting with and petting animals.
So, while we don’t know if having your cat laying on you contributes to your physical ailments, we can be sure it has all kinds of benefits for your mental health!
final thoughts
There could be many reasons why your furry friend chooses to curl up with you on the couch, but having your kitty snuggled up to you is the ultimate sign of trust in your relationship.
While cats often choose an inopportune time for comfort, enjoy this bonding time with your cat. If your cats love them, offer some pets and turn on another episode of your favorite TV show; when it comes to kitty cuddles, everything else can wait!
frequently asked questions
What does it mean when a cat is on your chest?
Your cat lying on your chest is the ultimate sign of trust. Your cat may lie on your chest for warmth, companionship, or safety. Whatever the reason, your cat will approach you when you are vulnerable, and by doing so, show extreme trust.
Why is my cat sleeping next to me?
Not every cat chooses to sleep on their owner. Some cats are naturally lonely, but by choosing to sleep close to you, your cat is showing you the ultimate trust when she is most vulnerable. This is a sign that your cat loves you.
Does the cat have a crush?
In multi-person households, cats can develop fond humans. Studies have shown that cats choose a person based on who works the hardest to understand their cues and motivations. Understanding feline behavior and communication can help you get to know your cat better and improve your bond!
view resources
looters. E (2001) Feline purring: a therapeutic mechanism? Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 110:2666 DOI https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4777098 Retrieved June 24, 2022
Hilo. S et al (2003) Reduction of state anxiety by petting animals in a controlled laboratory experiment. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping: An International Journal. 16:4 Hologram https://doi.org/10.1080/1061580031000091582 search 24day June 2022
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