Why Do Cats Like To Sleep With Their Owners – 12 Reasons!

One reason cats are loved and adored worldwide is because of the deep affection they have for their human owners. But since you’ve gotten your cat, you might have noticed that she has always been sleeping with you on your bed rather than on her own. Then this question keeps popping up in your mind: why do cats like to sleep with their owners?

Cats like to sleep with their owners because they feel vulnerable. Sleeping in bed with their owners offers them warmth and protection. Being with you in bed is also a way for them to show you love and affection.

In this article, we’ll examine different reasons cats like to sleep with their owners. Also, we’ll discuss the factors that determine who cats get to sleep with. We’ll also supply detailed answers to some frequently asked questions.

Reasons Cats Like To Sleep With Their Owners

There are several reasons cats love sleeping with their owners. Since cats can not voice the reasons out themselves, we can only propose several theories why cats enjoy sleeping with us.

Now, let’s examine the following 12 reasons cats like to sleep with their owners:

Sleeping with their owners offers extra security

When cats sleep with their owners, it offers them an extra level of security. Cats are natural hunters. In the wild, they are always ready to attack.

But the fear of being hunted down by larger predators scares them a lot. When they are asleep, they rarely fall into a deep sleep.

They understand human owners are bigger than them in every respect. They majorly seek protection when they come to sleep with us.

Sleeping near their owners provides warmth

When cats sleep near their owners, close contact naturally provides them with warmth. Anyway, some humans deliberately want their pets near themselves.

This practice of getting warmth by close contact has dated back to thousands of centuries back. Cats prefer warmth to comfort any day, any time!

Both the cat and the owner benefit from this. It’s mutual. The cat benefits more though, humans have developed ways to generate warmth without a pet around.

Territory marking

Cats are territorial animals. This can not be overemphasized. They mark their territory by marking it with their scent. It is their way of life.

So the very next time your feline comes up to your bed to cuddle beside you, she is marking you! She loves and trusts you so much, thereby claiming you as her own!

Bonding Exercise

Cats do look for ways to bond with their owners. Unfortunately, our furry friend has been tagged as unfriendly and indifferent. We know this is not true!

If you own a cat and you give her a good share of your time, you would understand that she’s ready to bond. One way she tries to bond with you is by coming over to your bed to sleep.

If you own two or more cats at home, you might notice that the oldest cat tends to use younger cats as pillows. But if there’s only one cat in the whole house, trust me, she’s coming over to you to bond!

Hormonal Issue

When cats are in close contact with their owners, research shows they release a “feel-good hormone,” otherwise known as oxytocin.

This hormone makes them happy and comfortable. The next time your cat comes close to your bed, he may be needing a dose of oxytocin.

Your body smells good

Humans are not the only ones who are drawn to nice smells. The sense of smell of cats is even known to be better than that of humans.

The scent of your shampoo or cologne may seem pleasant to your feline. Thus, your body smell might be the reason your cat keeps coming to sleep on your bed.

Your cat is drawn to the sound of your body

Out of all the body parts, cats are fond of resting on the chest of their owners. Cats seem to derive pleasure and comfort in our rhythmic heartbeats.

When cat owners are deep asleep, our heartbeats are calm and rhythmic. They also revel in these calm and rhythmic sounds.

To show trust and appreciation

If you have a guest in your home for the first time, it is highly unlikely for your cat to walk up to the guest’s bed to sleep.

Cats are known to only snuggle uptight with people they fully trust and appreciate. So the next time your feline comes up to your bedside, reciprocate her display of trust and affection by allowing her to sleep at your bedside.

Addicted to sleeping on your lap

A considerable number of cats love to sleep on the laps of their owners. The laps provide warmth and comfort.

They mostly sleep on your laps even when you are not in bed. The moment you lie down to sleep, they come to occupy their favorite spot!

They want companionship

If you are the type of cat owner who doesn’t give enough attention to your cat because of your work, bedtime would be the only time for your feline to connect with you.

Just as humans crave companionship, cats also enjoy the company of their human owners.

When it’s bedtime, your feline walks up to your bed to enjoy the companionship he has been missing throughout the day.

Your cat knows by instinct you’ll be leaving for work early in the morning; he would savor every moment spent with you in bed.

Comfortable bed

Cats are renowned for loving cozy and comfortable beds to sleep on. Just as almost every human loves sleeping on a cozy bed, cats are also not left out.

Your bed may be more comfortable than your cat’s sleeping place. Therefore, the reason your cat keeps coming over to your bed might be due to the comfort of your bed.

Food and treats

Cats have a good sense of smell. A cat might be drawn to stay in your bedroom because he is attracted to food or treats odor emanating from your bedroom.

If you are the kind of cat owner that keeps food and treats in the bedroom, you may not realize that the reason your cat keeps coming to sleep next to you is simply because of food.

Furthermore, if you are fond of feeding your feline in the bedroom, food may be the sole motivation for your cat to visit your bedroom.

How Do Cats Choose Who To Sleep With

Cats mainly sleep with those they trust and love. They are highly selective about the people they cuddle up with. These people majorly include those that bring them food.

The easiest way to make a cat bond with you is to feed it regularly. Cats are the kind of pets motivated by food. If you feed a cat regularly for a few days, you might become his next favorite!

Moreover, even if you share a bond with your cat and he doesn’t find your bed comfortable, he might not be sleeping with you.

, if you want your cat to come sleeping on your bed, two things need to be done by you —feed it daily and make your bed comfortable.

What Does It Mean When A Cat Sleeps Next To You

A reason why your cat may be sleeping next to you may be that he finds your bed super comfortable. Cats are the kind of pet that sleeps a lot. The comfort your bed provides may be the reason your feline keeps coming back.

Apart from the comfort your bed provides, cats have a deep affection for their owners and those they live with. They express this affection by sleeping next to their owners.

Since cats are vulnerable when they fall asleep, they feel safer with those they have affection for. Your cat feels more protected when he sleeps next to you.

Is It Okay To Let Your Cat Sleep With You

The answer to the above question is subjective. Some cat owners feel more comfortable sleeping with their cats in bed. In contrast, some owners feel disturbed with their felines cuddling in bed with them.

There are advantages attached when your cat sleeps next to you in bed. Experts have discovered it reduces stress levels when you sleep next to your cat. Having your cat also makes you fall asleep faster.

Having your cat next to you protects you against being lonely and depressed. Some people suffering from depression have learned how to pour out their emotions to their cats. Having a cat in bed with you could help with your mood.

On the flip side, there are some downsides associated with having your kitty in bed with you. Having your cat sleeping next to you increases the likelihood of experiencing disrupted sleep.

Also, you are at risk of being exposed to litter box debris if you allow your cat to sleep next to you. If your cat spends time outdoors, he might transfer gunk onto your bed.