Why does your cat sleep on you? 5 reasons behind this charming phenomenon

One of the cutest cat habits, and let's be honest, sometimes one of the most annoying too. Every owner loves it when their pet is close to them, especially the cat owners experience this as a reward, as it always indicates that the pet is happy and still attached. But when they shove their fluffy little bums in your face at 5 a.m., you might question the power of creation.

So the question arises in your mind, why do they do this? Our article now makes a brave attempt to answer this question.

Sleeping habits of cats

First of all, it is most practical to understand that cats have completely different sleep patterns than ours. While we usually, and in lucky cases, sleep through the night, they take several naps during the day to regain their energy. However, these naps are mostly only superficial, they do not reach the phase of deep sleep. This is necessary because as predators they must always be ready to fight and defend.

But let’s not waste time, the reasons will follow!

1. To strengthen the bond

Every cat owner can attest that cats are one of the sweetest, most caring and loving creatures in the world. Don’t let the bad reputation fool you! They show their affection in a unique way. One such way is for them to sleep with you and on you. Hearing your heartbeat and feeling your breathing is comforting for your pet. Can anyone say that this didn’t melt them at least a little bit?!

This behavior is a domesticated version of its behavior in the wild. They always show great love for their tribe, which they prefer to express by grooming, i.e. licking and cuddling.

2. They like it warm

Have you ever noticed that they almost chase the sunny spots in the apartment? This is because the warmth helps them to relax, making the naps more calming. And the warmest point in the apartment is probably you. If you can, let your pet sleep on you, as a sedative sleep is very good for their health.

3. They want to feel safe

As we mentioned before, being a predator comes with quite a lot of stress, so it is important for them to be able to recharge undisturbed during sleep and not have to worry about external threats.

Cats are vulnerable when they sleep, so if they trust you enough to fall asleep on you, consider it a huge honor. They also learn this technique from their mother in the litter. If you’ve ever seen kitties sleeping together, they always pile on top of each other for safety and cozy warmth.

4. Designate their territory

Cats are territorial creatures. In their territory, they release pheromones produced by their scent glands to mark what belongs to them. So when they sleep on you, they are actually marking you with their scent. No problem, you can absolutely take this as a compliment from a kitty. This is the most important way to declare that you belong to their tribe.

5. It can also be due to hormones

Neuroscientist Paul Zak studied 10 cats in his test. He examined the animals’ saliva samples while they played with their owners. The results showed that the cats’ oxytocin levels increased by up to 12%. The study in the Behavioral Processes even showed that cats prefer contact with their owners even over eating. So don’t be surprised if your pet sleeps on you simply because it makes him feel much better.