Why does a cat lie on its chest, what does this mean?

It's helpful for cat parents to know as much as possible about their pet, such as how to best care for a cat, and even what their different behaviors mean—for example, why does a cat lie on a person's chest?

Not many people think about why cats love to lie on people. There are many theories worth discussing when it comes to why your cats like to rest on your chest, limbs, or even your face.

While there are many myths about cats and how they simply use you for room and shelter, they are simply not true. Cats are loving and loyal, and they show their affection in different ways. Some of these include your cat bringing you their toys, following you around, or even, you guessed it, lying on top of you.

Let's dive right into some theories as to why your kitty might want to lay on your chest.

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At the time of purchasing a pet, you need to decide whether it can be on the owner’s bed. Not every person can allow an animal to sleep next to them, citing disgust, allergies, inconvenience and much more. This decision must be made immediately when the kitten first comes into the house. It will be more difficult to retrain an adult cat.

If your pet is allowed to sleep next to family members, the following recommendations must be followed:

The animal must be completely domestic (not outside).
You should wash your cat no more than once a month. It is not advisable to skip procedures. It must be clean and well-groomed.
If your pet has long hair, it should be brushed. This will protect the owner's bed from a large amount of wool.
Once every 6 months, antiparasitic treatment with helminth drugs is required.

If a person does not allow the presence of a cat on the bed, they should equip it with a good and warm bed. You can buy it at a pet store or make it yourself. The location for the cat bed should be chosen very carefully. It should not be damp and cold. It is better if the bed is in the bedroom of its beloved owner.

How to wean a cat from sleeping in the owner's bed?

Despite the benefits of sleeping together, not all people agree to share their bed with cats. To painlessly wean your pet from resting in the owner’s bed, follow these simple recommendations:

Place your pet's area outside the master bedroom. It should be comfortable and safe. When an animal tries to climb onto the owner's bed, carefully take the animal to its resting place.
If your cat jumps onto the bed and begins to get ready for bed, do not yell at it. Spend some time with your pet and cuddle her. Then take him to his own bed.

Is it true that cats lie on a sore spot and heal it?

Conducted scientific research and experiments have repeatedly proven the ability of adult representatives of the cat family to heal. The special energy transmitted by animals has a positive effect on human health. There is even such a treatment method in medicine. It has different names: pet therapy, animal therapy or zootherapy. Specifically, cat healing is called feline therapy.

Even official medical institutions around the world use feline therapy. Fluffy “doctors” can lower blood pressure. In clinics and rehabilitation centers in the UK, they help patients after injuries, patients with autism or cerebral palsy.

The pet tries to place itself in the place where the person has unpleasant sensations. Many people note that after the pet lies down on the suffering part of the body, the pain goes away or is significantly reduced. The mustache relieves pain thanks to the warmth and positive energy emanating from it. Massaging the aching joint or muscle with your paws also brings relief to the sufferer.

It has been proven that fluffies emit biocurrents that are created due to the friction of fur hairs. Microcurrents have a beneficial effect on sore joints or injured muscles. For women suffering from inflammation of the appendages or menstrual pain, the influence of such energy is recommended. The furry doctor is placed on the lower abdomen for half an hour. After this, significant relief comes.

The vibration from purring also has healing powers - research is still being conducted on this matter. But there are already versions that cats purr precisely at those frequencies that relieve pain and spasms.

The emotional background created by furry couch potatoes has a beneficial effect on an upset and sick person. The feeling of warmth and calm transmitted from a cat sleeping next to you relaxes and creates a positive mood.

Older people who own a pet are believed to live longer and stay active longer. This is not surprising: caring for a cat is not difficult, and the pleasure from communicating with her is always abundant.

Why do cats sleep on humans?

Cats crave warmth and comfort

Our four-legged friends try to stay warm; cats have a body temperature higher than that of humans. It is hot near radiators and heaters, but on the stomach or on the owner’s head it is moderately warm, soft and cozy. Often a cat sleeps near a person's head, because during sleep the head becomes the warmest place on our body.

An adult healthy cat sleeps at least 14 hours a day. In rainy or hot weather she needs even more sleep. If your pet needs so much sleep, why not snuggle up with a warm loved one in a clean, big bed? The mustache-striped ones always try to choose a more comfortable place.

Safety is a priority

To relax and fall asleep, your cat needs to feel completely safe. Where is the safest place in the house? Under the owner's wing. A cat comes to sleep with a person to calmly recuperate and not worry about any potential threats. For a cat, the smell of its owner, especially the smell of his hair and face, symbolizes security. And being close to the owner gives the pet a pleasant feeling of control over the situation.

Show love and trust

Why do cats sleep on humans? To express the depth of their feelings, to show how much they love you. And also simply because they like it that way.

If you wake up and notice that the cat has turned its back to you, this means that your ward absolutely trusts you. Instincts will not allow a cat to turn its back or tummy to someone in whom it is not one hundred percent sure. Let us note that cats sleep only with those members of the household who are recognized as the owner. The desire to sleep next to you is a sign of a special location.

It may very well be that your pet just misses you. Food and drink are great, but cats get so lonely sitting at home while you're at work. They crave joint games, attention, communication. If a cat sleeps on a person, this helps it compensate for the lack of communication with its owner.

Designate territory

Another reason that a cat comes to sleep with a person lies in the desire to designate its possessions. During the day, the cat rubs against you. And at night he can lie on you, crushing the duvet cover with his paw pads. This way, the secretion of your pet’s sweat glands remains on you and on the bedding. It is important for a cat to indicate with its scent both the bed on which you sleep and the owner itself. These four-legged friends tend to mark the boundaries of their territory and everything that is on it. This is a signal to the external environment that this all belongs to a particular cat; she will not tolerate attempts by others to claim her possessions and will defend her interests.

Your ward thinks something like this: let, thanks to the smell, all the cats in the area be aware that this person already has a favorite pet - and that’s me!

When you can't sleep at night

Cats' sleep schedules are very different from yours and mine. It may occur to your pet to visit bowls of food and drink a couple of times a night, or take a walk to the litter box. Usually the cat not only goes about its business, but also wakes you up. How to minimize such inconvenience? Take time in the evening to play actively with your pet, and then feed the cat properly. A well-fed and well-fed mustachioed friend will sleep sweetly and will not wake you up.

Safety regulations

If a cat sleeps on a person, is it safe? There is no consensus on this issue. Supporters of sleeping cuddling with pets note that cats calm them down, warm them with their warmth, help them fall asleep faster, and even heal them by lying on a sore spot.

Opponents of sleeping with a cat remind that during the day the pet wanders around the house, explores the most secret corners under sofas or on cabinets, eats and drinks, and goes to the litter box. And then he jumps on your bed. Cats can carry parasites such as toxoplasma, which can be dangerous to children and adults with weakened immune systems. So should you let your pet into your bed?

On the one hand, a cat creates the potential for greater contact with a pathogenic environment. For example, from the floor. However, there is another opinion. A cat (like any other pet), with proper care and maintenance of cleanliness, creates its own special microclimate in the house. Being in it, any person (and especially children) trains their immunity. Our bodies learn to exist with each other and maintain balance. It has been noticed that children who grow up with pets are noticeably less likely to get sick and suffer from allergic reactions.

Should you let your cat sleep on your pillow? There is no correct answer to this question. You decide everything yourself: the main thing is that both you and your pet feel comfortable.

If a cat comes to sleep with a person, it is better to wipe its paws before going to bed. Regularly treat your pet with parasite repellents and get vaccinations on time. Brush your pet so that excess hair remains on the grooming tools and not on the pillow or your face. If there is a small child in the house, do not allow the cat near his crib. This is not only a matter of hygiene considerations, but also the fact that the cat and the young household may not get along.

If you feel unwell, it is better to carefully remove the cat and point him to the bed. If the cat herself is unwell, it is necessary for her to sleep separately from you.

Always remember hygiene and safety rules. If you close your eyes at night with a sleep mask, the cat will not get its playful paw to the mucous membranes. After sleeping in a hug with a cat, wash your hands properly, wash your face, and clear your nose - especially if you are prone to allergic reactions.

Maintaining cleanliness in the house, as well as maintaining hygiene for all household members, including pets, is our responsibility.

We wish you and your pets health and sweet dreams!

How to get your pet to sleep longer with you

If you want your pet to stay in bed with you until the morning:

Buy dark, dense curtains that let little daylight through. The morning sun's rays will not be able to disturb the pet, since thick curtains will create twilight.
Don't give your cat food right after you wake up. She will get used to you feeding her on demand and will not let you sleep if she gets hungry at night.
When your cat tries to wake you up early in the morning, don’t react. Over time, such actions will become a habit for her, and you will have to wake up at a time when she wants it, and not you.
If the cat does not sleep or wakes up at night, do not let him rest during the day. Add activity to his life: play more, walk with your pet. Tired during the day, the animal will sleep soundly all night.

Tips for safe co-sleeping

If the owner and cat want to sleep together, it is worth following the rules that will make resting together safe:

Monitor your pet's health and promptly treat it for fleas and worms.
Don't skip preventive vaccinations.
Wipe your pet's paws before bed.

Love doesn't only happen between people

Cats are wonderful companions. They know how to be loyal and loving. Give affection and show care for your furry friends every day. A satisfied pet will not want unnecessary attention at night. And if he fights for his part of the bed, think about it. Maybe this is true love and you shouldn’t be so categorical?

Causes

While it's no secret that your kitty loves to lie on you, you might want to know the reason why he prefers you, and there are many. Let's look at some:

They are looking for warmth . Regardless of the weather, cats love to sleep and relax in warm places. They like to lie on you because they like the warmth of your body. Most of your body heat is generated through your knees and chest, so they like to lie down and fall asleep in these areas. Meanwhile, your bed is a gentle, pleasant place for your pet to lie down while resting.
They want to connect . Cats don't really like you. However, by lying on you, your furry friend may be trying to tell you that he loves you. They are connected to you.
Marking the territory . We all know that people don't choose a cat, a cat chooses its person. Cats like to leave their scent on their territory so they can recognize it later, and by lying on you they may try to mark you as one of theirs.
They enjoy your company . At some point, we've all experienced our cats lying on top of us while we're talking to other people. Your cat enjoys your company and voice. Additionally, the sound of your body can make your fur baby feel better when your pet naps on you.
Your cat loves you . Perhaps you work like most people. The moment you finish your work day, all your cat wants is to be close and chase you until you sit down so she can lie down on you. Why? Because your fur baby loves you.

Does the cat understand that there is a child there?

Seeing the special behavior of her cat, a pregnant woman, to whom he constantly tries to lie on his stomach, involuntarily wonders whether cats sense pregnancy, or is it just a trick of the imagination. This has not been scientifically proven, but the pet’s reaction speaks for itself. The fact that the purr senses the presence of the baby is indicated by the following features in his behavior:

very careful movements when being held in the arms of a pregnant woman;
the desire to press against the stomach precisely in the area of the uterus;
rumbling and rubbing the muzzle on the stomach;
the desire to settle on the pregnant woman’s belly when the baby is very active.

Anyone who keeps cats immediately sees that their pets’ manners change noticeably during the owner’s pregnancy. Even the least affectionate cats suddenly become completely different. They constantly huddle close to the woman and try to spend as much time as possible next to her growing belly. There is no exact answer why a cat lies on a pregnant woman’s stomach.

On a note

If you are allergic to cat fur, it is better to avoid spending time together with your pet.

Of course, such behavior is very disarming, and it is difficult to refuse a beloved cat who intends to settle comfortably on the body of his owner.

But to ensure that such close physical contact does not cause harm to a person, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations :

If your cat has access to the street and often walks there, then it is important to thoroughly clean his paws before letting him in.
The animal must be regularly treated for worms and fleas.
If you are allergic to cat fur, it is better to avoid spending time together with your pet.
You should not let your cat get close to small children, and especially not allow them to sleep in a crib.

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

What to do?

If a cat eats fallen hair that it finds on the floor, it should be weaned immediately from this habit, as it can get stuck in its gastrointestinal tract and cause serious health problems for the animal. It is also necessary to wean pets off when they bite their head and lick and chew hair, which causes painful and unpleasant sensations for the owner. In such situations, you should initially try to prohibit the kitten with words. If there is no reaction, then stop him a couple of times and leave the room, go about your daily activities, so that the cat cannot reach his head.

If the reason for this behavior is a small age, then you can fall asleep in a cap for some time, until the period when the animal grows up and weaned off on its own. You can also try changing your shampoo. Since these are often manifestations of care for a person from the tailed one and his desire to please, you need to carefully wean him from this habit. You can try using a scented hair spray with a citrus scent, which kittens don't like. A ban on sleeping with the owner in the same bed will also help solve the problem. When a cat starts chewing hair, it is advisable to offer him a treat as an alternative to distract him. You can distract him with outdoor games or pick him up and stroke him.