Why Do Cats Cover Their Face When They Sleep – 5 Reasons

Do you ever look at your cat and think to yourself, “Wow, how could I have gotten so lucky to have such an adorable roommate that enjoys the same hobbies as I do: eat, sleep, and repeat?” I know that I love the cuteness overload my cat exhibits when she is sleeping. I often look over at her, with her little paws are covering her eyes or her nose, and I cannot help but smile. In all seriousness, though, why do cats cover their faces when they sleep?

Cats cover their faces while they sleep to help their bodies stay insulated and warm while they take their ‘catnap.’

Now that you know the main reasons cat cover their faces when they sleep, it is also important to note that although insulation is the main reason, there are a few other reasons cats have a habit of positioning their paws over their faces when they sleep. Let us look deeper at why cats might cover their faces when they sleep.

Reasons cat cover their faces when they sleep.

As previously mentioned, cats cover their faces when they sleep to maintain body heat while they sleep. However, there are other reasons cats cover their faces with their paws when they sleep.

1. Cats feel most comfortable in this position.

After a long grueling day of school or work, your first instinct when you lay down for the night is to roll over into your favorite sleeping position: on your back, stomach, side, etc. It is the same with cats. After a long exhausting day of stalking, playing, and eating, they are often ready to curl up in their favorite sleeping position and snooze.

2. They feel more secure.

A cat’s face is the most vulnerable part of its body, and as cats are highly instinctive creatures, it is only natural for them to cover their eyes and nose. They feel it protects them better from predators while they sleep.

3. Blocking out the light.

Cats are more prone to sleep or nap during the day and become more active at night. It is in their instincts to be natural hunters at night and rest during the hot sunshiny days. Like humans, the light can be a big problem when trying to nap during the day. In this case, cats will use their tails or paws to block light.

4. Blocking out the noise.

Cats will also cover their faces to help block out any ambient sounds that might spike their curiosity. Like babies, cats will almost immediately wake up to a strange sound to investigate its source.

5. Fell asleep mid-groom

Some cats use up all the energy they have stored, and during their mid-day grooming session, they cannot hold their eyes open any longer. Sometimes you can catch your cat falling asleep mid-groom with their paws over their faces, and they are too exhausted to move their paws from their face.

How often do cats sleep?

Cats sleep on average between 12 and 18 hours a day.

Cats are incredibly active pets on the one hand due to their natural hunter instincts, and on the other hand, they sleep A LOT! Cats are known for their unique personalities and mannerisms. One minute they take all your pets and love; the next minute, they attack your hand faster than you can even comprehend what just happened.

As cats grow older, their cat naps grow longer. No matter the age, cats will often go through little spurts of energy, which many people like to call “the zoomies.” A switch flips in their brain, and they go running around, parkouring off every wall and piece of furniture they can. Once their energy has run out, they curl up in their little ball of fluff and snooze the day away. Some cats even sleep more than 18 hours a day, depending on the breed and age of the cat!

Do cats typically cover their faces in their different sleeping positions?

Cats like to sleep in several different sleeping positions, but in every common position, their faces are covered!

By covering their face, they are not only blocking any light from hitting their eyes, but they are instinctively protecting their face from any predators that might disturb them during their catnap. Think about the places cats often choose to sleep. They love boxes and small, dark spaces. These are the places cats feel most secure from the world around them.

1. The crescent roll

Crescent roll is the most common sleeping position that cats sleep in. My cat is always in this position when she is in a deep sleep. Cats will lay in what looks like a half-moon shape and cover their eyes with either their tail or paws to block out any light interrupting their snooze.

2. The bread loaf

The second most common sleeping position is when a cat curls its feet underneath its belly and sleeps. They will sometimes sleep with their head up, but often you catch them with their head down and their tail covering their face and eyes.

3. The side sleep

Cats often will sleep on their sides. Mid hunt or mid-play, they will plop on their sides, stretch, and proceed to catnap. Sometimes they will cover their eyes with their paw to block out any light shining on them.

Final Thoughts

Cats are incredibly unique in their sleeping habits and mannerisms. They are super energetic, yet they are experts at sleeping the day away. Covering their faces when they sleep may seem like a cute, innocent, happy little accident, but it is a common instinct among the feline breeds. More common than one might think.