It has long been noticed that many pets, having their own cozy and soft beds and pillows, prefer to rest at night next to their household members. But why do cats love to sleep with their owner, lie on his stomach, head, chest, and curl up at his feet? This behavior of four-legged friends is explained by many reasons, both based on banal speculation and scientifically confirmed.
Desire to keep warm
Livestock breeders and zoologists are sure that domestic cats sleep with their beloved owner because the bed is simply cozy and not cold, and they are very heat-loving creatures who adore comfort and coziness. The bed, heated by the human body, is the warmest corner in the room if there is no spacious radiator or heating pad nearby. The average body temperature of a furry animal is approximately 38.6 °C. He needs more warmth, which is why four-legged pets can so often be found on windowsills and balconies illuminated by the sun's rays.
At night, they move to a warm bed, using a person in the form of a huge soft heating pad. They are primarily located above the head or on the stomach. During sleep, it is these zones that radiate heat as much as possible, since active blood flow is maintained in them. Thus, cats do not treat headaches or migraines, as is commonly believed, but take care of their own comfort.
Why do cats like to sleep on humans?
For all the millennia that cats have lived next to people, the human race has never learned to understand these mysterious creatures. Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly why they prefer to sleep on their owners, choosing different parts of their bodies (head, legs, stomach, chest, etc.). Only the cats themselves know this, but, alas, they cannot tell about it and we can only speculate.
Cats love to sleep on their owners.
Mystical explanation
Since ancient times, cats have been credited with psychic qualities and the ability to heal people. It is believed that the cat lies down exactly where it hurts (or doesn’t hurt yet, but will get sick in the near future) . Allegedly, having its own powerful energy, the pet senses an area with a changed energy field and, by moving there, neutralizes its negative impact, and also relieves pain.
When an animal stubbornly tries to lie down on its legs, this may indicate some problems in the limbs with joints (arthritis, arthrosis) or veins (varicose veins). If nothing bothers the owner in this area for now, then the little healer will work for the future and relieve joint tension, as well as fatigue accumulated over a long day of work.
Many cats like to sleep on their feet
However, most often, furry healers sit comfortably on a person’s stomach, which is easily explained by the presence of a large number of internal organs in this part of the human body. Felines are distinguished by their ability to sensitively respond to the psychological state of household members . Having settled down in the solar plexus area, the cat will help improve your mood, relieve tension and stress, and also relieve the blues and depression.
A good friend of mine who suffers from heart failure always places his cat on the left side of his chest. At first he stomps around a little, then he carefully lies down, curled up into a ball. The man claims that this brings noticeable relief.
It has long been noted that a cat is the first to know that a woman is pregnant. And he always settles down on the belly of the expectant mother, taking her child under protection.
A cat systematically trying to lie on its owner's head thus relieves his mental stress. Experienced cat owners say that these animals are extremely sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. They are trying to help weather-dependent people, alleviate their condition caused by cerebral vasospasm, and relieve migraines. At the same time, they can hug the host’s skull with their entire body.
Some cats prefer to lie next to a person’s face and even on top of a person’s head.
Popular rumor ascribes the greatest healing powers to pets with white fur. Black cats, constant companions of all kinds of witches and sorcerers, have the ability to absorb negative energy. Ginger cats are an excellent tonic; they give vivacity and energy. Gray pets, on the contrary, calm and pacify.
Video: medicinal properties of cats
Desire to show superiority
For many cats, lying on a human body is evidence of dominance over him. A furry friend marks his territory this way, leaving his scent on the pillow. Shows that the person belongs to him, and he can feel like an emperor. This especially happens if there are other animals in the family. A narcissistic pet demonstrates to its fellow tribesmen a special closeness to its owner, thus showing a certain amount of its selfishness. In addition, the cat's instinct tells who is dominant in the house. For its own safety, the four-legged friend chooses to sleep together with members of the household.
Treatment of diseases
Cat breeders often believe that cats have extraordinary energy that they share with people. They even take on chronic diseases, which is why they go to bed with the owner. Scientists explain this behavior differently. Heat-loving pets are placed on the diseased organ, since it emits the most thermal energy. With their rumbling they can calm the nervous system, relieve stress and fatigue, but nothing more. Cat treatment does not help with serious disorders in the body.
Signs and superstitions associated with cat sleep
There are many signs and superstitions associated with where a cat sleeps. The animal has long been a symbol of the hearth, so you should not frighten it, hold it by the tail or offend it. You can attract failures into your life. If a cat falls asleep between lovers, then the spouses may quarrel.
It is believed that a husband and wife are able to feed each other’s energy, so no one should sleep between them, except perhaps children, and then in extreme cases. Cats are often jealous, so they may begin to mark territory, especially one of the spouses.
Since ancient times, cats have been considered one of the strongest bioenergy sources. If you live with them, you can get rid of negative energy.
The cat’s biofield has a positive effect on humans, attracting good luck, happiness and positive thoughts. Cats can try to neutralize negative energy, so they always go to bed in the right place.
Control of the situation
Scientists who have studied the behavior of pets put forward another theory why cats sleep with their owner. In their opinion, they just like to control everything. This same fact explains that pets choose the tallest wardrobes and cabinets, which offer the best view of the surrounding space. At night, all they have to do is watch their owners, in case they decide to go to the kitchen to eat something tasty. And in the morning, the pets will definitely know that the household members have woken up, and it’s time to beg for the next delicacy.
Fragrance theory
For many pets, the owner's scent has a calming effect. They have a sensitive nervous system and sometimes do not even sleep, but simply doze, catching sounds around them. Adequate sleep for cats is possible only in conditions of complete safety. This feeling is given to them by their beloved owner. In addition, furry friends love the smell of hair, especially housewives who use sweet shampoos and conditioners. Dizzying and fragrant aromas work on the purr better than any valerian.
Attention! You should not allow your cat to lick your hair. Many styling products, shampoos, gels and varnishes contain synthetic compounds that are dangerous to the animal's gastrointestinal tract.
How to stop a cat from sleeping in the owner's bed
Some cat breeders prefer their pet to have its own sleeping place. There will be no need to wash his paws before bed and then clean his bed linen of fur. To arrange a cat's overnight stay, it is enough to buy a soft bed, a basket or a small house. It is advisable to place them near a warm radiator and cover the cat’s bed with a jacket or sweater with the owner’s familiar scent, and surround them with their favorite toys.
If the apartment is poorly heated in winter, place a heating pad or several plastic bottles with heated sand under the animal’s bedding. To radically wean your pet from sleeping in bed, you need to isolate him at night in another room for several weeks. At the same time, the cat must have access to the toilet and food. When these methods do not help, something frightening to the pet is placed on the bed, for example, a large soft toy. If, after all, the wayward creature came and lay down on the bed, it cannot be driven away. It’s better to just wait until the cat dozes off and move it to the litter, pet it, calm it down and give it an encouraging treat.
Cons of sleeping with a cat
Despite all the benefits and therapeutic effects, doctors advise that you approach the idea of sleeping with a cat with caution. There are several reasons for this:
- Decreased sleep quality. A person, instead of falling asleep, communicates with his beloved pet, which reduces rest time. In addition, the cat often wakes up the owner by moving at night.
- Reduced comfort. An animal may begin tossing and turning, biting, purring and stomping its paws in the middle of the night, thereby waking up a person.
- Poor hygiene. The cat walks on the bare floor, rummages in the litter tray, and gets into places where dust and dirt accumulate. She can bring infectious agents or parasites into the bed, stain the linen, and leave hairballs.
- Allergy risk. Too close contact with your pet can cause irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.
To avoid negative consequences, you need to take the following precautions:
- do not let the animal outside, do not allow it to come into contact with unfamiliar (potentially infectious) pets;
- once a month it is necessary to wash the cat and clean it thoroughly;
- if the animal is a long-haired breed, it must be thoroughly combed and not allowed into the bed during shedding;
- Regularly (once every 6 months) you should show your pet to a doctor to prevent fleas, lice, ticks and helminths;
- Do not allow cats to sleep with small children and people prone to allergies;
- Before letting your pet into bed, you need to wipe its paws with warm water and soap.
If sleeping with a cat causes discomfort to a person, you need to provide the pet with its own place to sleep on a soft and warm bedding. It should be located away from the noise, bustle and main places of human activity. You need to drive the animal out of bed strictly and decisively, but without shouting or assault. You should not punish your pet for following his habits - most likely, he will not understand the reason for the sudden bad attitude.
Scientists cannot clearly name the reason why cats love sleeping with humans. Pets sit and lie on the owner in search of safety, warmth and comfort, care and attention. Many owners believe that their pets deliberately heat a sore spot in an attempt to heal it. Others believe that in this way whiskered pets mark property and try not to let the owner out of control.
