1. Home
  2. Cats

Here’s where cats like to sleep in your home and why

By

Cats have a reputation for being mysterious creatures. Everything from their tail twitches to their sleeping habits is a curious topic for cat lovers. Since cats sleep in some pretty strange places and tend to contradict themselves quite a bit for the cat newbie, their sleeping habits could be a total head-scratcher.
So where do cats like to sleep? If you don’t understand why or how your cat falls asleep the way it does, you aren’t alone. Here are a few common things cats do when they’re sleeping and what that could mean.

Sleeping on you

Federica Formaini/EyeEm/Getty Images

It may mystify you why your cat seems to ignore you all day and then wants to be next to you as you sleep at night. Your cat isn’t playing hard to get. On the contrary, your cat could be showing signs of trust.
Sleep is a vulnerable time for cats. Sleeping next to you could offer an extra feeling of security for your normally wary cat and provide extra body heat that cats crave. It could also mean that your cat is “marking” you as theirs, a territorial bonding method that involves leaving their scent behind.

Recommended Videos

Sleeping in boxes

Cats are cautious creatures, even if they have nothing to worry about. Your cat may prefer to sleep in that cardboard box or underneath the couch to help reduce the number of places your cat has to pay attention to for danger.
If their pet bed is out in the open, your cat may be reluctant to commit to that sleeping spot. Instead, they’ll seek out something with only one entrance to watch or a place where they feel like their back is protected.

Seeking height

For the same reasons that cats seek shelter, they may also seek out high places to reduce the chances of danger. Cats are excellent climbers, and not many species can follow them as high as they can go. Height gives them a good vantage point and, in some cases, helps them stay hidden.
Your cat may feel too vulnerable if there’s a lot of activity going on at ground level. Seeking out a higher spot puts your cat out of reach of the hustle and bustle and prevents accidental nap interference.

Seeking warmth

In some cases, those strange, out-of-the-way places also offer the warmth cats crave. The body temperature of cats runs higher than humans, and they desire places that provide the warmth that maintains their natural body temperature.
That uncomfortable window or seldom-used area sometime receive more heat than the usual place. Your cat’s really nice bed may be near a draft or a site that isn’t warm enough.
Cats do this sometimes when they steal your seat. If you’ve been sitting for a while, they know the seat will still be warm from your body heat when you get up. If they take advantage of it, they’ll get a short burst of heat to fall back to sleep.

Changing locations frequently

Nipitphon Na Chiangmai /EyeEm/Getty Images

If your cat seems to change positions frequently, it could be a sign of wariness. In the wild, cats will change sleeping positions and locations often for safety, and if you’ve changed your house around or moved recently, your cat may be feeling reluctant to settle in.
If you have a new cat, this could also be a sign of mistrust. As you develop a relationship with your cat, it could begin to sleep in a few chosen spots as it learns that the environment is safe.

Signs of pain

If your cat is suddenly changing sleep positions or locations, this could be a sign of sickness or pain. A cat that suddenly wants to sleep near you could be experiencing vulnerability in the form of sickness, causing it to see out extra security.
A cat that suddenly favors sleeping in out-of-the-way places like under furniture could be experiencing some pain. These areas reduce contact with people and other pets, helping the cat manage any pain symptoms.
Before you panic, consider if other things have changed. Is your cat showing other signs of pain or illness? If you aren’t sure, it doesn’t hurt to get your cat checked out by your vet just to be on the safe side.

Where should cats sleep?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you know your cat is safe and healthy, your cat can sleep wherever it works for you and your pet. Allowing your cat to sleep with you is a matter of preference and what will help your cat feel settled and safe.

Always watch for signs that something in your cat’s health has changed. Cats don’t always express outward signals of distress, so it’s essential to note healthy behaviors and ensure that you’re paying attention to subtle signals.
Enjoy your cat’s unusual sleep choices and use this time to bond and help your cat trust your home. Someday, your cat’s sleeping position could be one that shows you how much it trusts you, and that’s a wonderful feeling to have.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
Why do cats cover their face when they sleep? This adorable behavior, explained
Keep an eye out for these symptoms of feline sleepiness and discomfort

If you ever notice your cat sleeping in an especially cute or odd-looking position, you're not the only one. Most cats get comfy in unique ways -- whether curled up on top of a laptop or stretched out on their back like a dog -- but some feline sleeping positions are more difficult to understand than others.
For example, why do cats cover their face when they sleep? There are several noteworthy reasons, though it's up to you to decipher which reason applies to your kitty. The good news is that none of these reasons are cause for worry unless, of course, there are other unusual behaviors or symptoms present. If this is the case, please consult your cat's veterinarian instead!
If sleeping with their paws covering their face is all your feline friend is doing, all you need to do is keep an eye on them. If there is a minor problem going on, like seasonal allergies, you'll be able to notice and help your cat sooner rather than later.

Sense of security and comfort

Read more
Is your cat obese? 5 ways to help them slim down
Obesity left unchecked can lead to health problems

World Pet Obesity Week is in the fall, so it's the purrfect chance to get your kitty on a diet to slim down in time. According to a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), roughly 61% of cats and 59% of dogs in the U.S. alone are overweight or obese. While few things are more adorable than a chunky cat, obesity in cats comes with a multitude of health risks.

Have you been wondering if your cat needs to lose a few pounds? We're here to share how you can tell if your cat is obese, the potential health problems caused by cat obesity, and five helpful things you can do to help them lose weight. 
What causes obesity in cats?

Read more
Why do cats eat plastic (and when you should be concerned)?
The reasons for this behavior might be surprising

Cats are quirky — sometimes puzzling — creatures. Part of the fun of kitty parenthood is laughing off these funny, curious traits and perhaps looking into what each might mean. Is your cat staring at you because they're plotting against you? Why does your cat want to sleep on your chest? Does your kitty wish you would get back to the office already after several years of this work-from-home thing?

Often, these questions — and our search for answers — are all in good fun. Cats are cats, and that's why we love them. Yet, if your cat eats plastic, you might wonder, "Why does my cat eat plastic?" You'll want to get a formal answer to this question from a vet.

Read more