Why Cats Sleep in Our Beds

If you have at least one cat companion living with you, you have definitely already woken up with a purring body on your legs, stomach, back or even on your head. Only a very few cats don’t want to get into our warm beds. Have you ever wondered why cats choose beds for sleeping so often?

There are several main reasons why cats like sleeping in beds with us:

Safety 
Even though cats are predators, larger hunters present danger for them. Therefore, they have to be alert and they are most vulnerable when sleeping. So, there is no better place to sleep at than by the side of someone they trust and know (s)he isn’t dangerous and can protect them in the case of need.

Warmth
Cats love warmth and they will soon find any source of it at home. You are also a source of warmth, especially your legs and your head – the warmest parts of your body.

Territory
Cats are very territorial creatures and they might consider your bed to be a part of their territory. They mark it by releasing pheromones by rubbing head or by simple walking.

Friendship
Last but not least, a cat might like sleeping in your bed simply because it likes and trusts you. Even though cats are thought to be solitary animals, they enjoy company and when you are sleeping they can enjoy your company undisturbed. Interactions with people can make their lives as well as yours more enjoyable.

However, sleeping with a cat has a number of benefits for you as well. Purring and the proximity itself have a positive effect on the nervous system and it reduces stress. Its presence also makes us safer and our sleep is calmer thanks to that. Strengthening our relationship doesn’t really need to be mentioned anymore, I guess.

Cat’s purring has particularly beneficial effects as it helps the animal to regenerate and it does the same to you. Studies have proven that the frequency of purring has significant healing effects on human body. Besides relieving stress, it can also moderate symptoms of breathing problems. Listening to purring reduces blood pressure and slows down the heart activity. Certain frequencies even improve bone strength and promote wound healing. And that’s not all.

What about you, does your cat sleep in your bed with you? My cat has been sleeping only on my legs for several years. While it previously got up and left any time I slightly moved, now it lies still no matter how hard I fidget. :)

Related articles

Crate for an indoor dog kennel. When to get one?

Crates or transport boxes provide your pet with safety and comfort not only during car journeys. You can see them more and more often in households with dogs. What can be the reasons for buying a crate for a dog living in a flat? What doesn't belong...

International Homeless Animal Day in August

Recent estimates indicate that every third dog in the world is homeless. Some estimates go even further and state that it's half of all dogs. It is a relatively high number but the situation varies in different continents. This is one of the reasons...

Wet fur care, as advised by Klára Miketová

Summer is a time of joy. The warm weather encourages trips and having fun in the water. However, summer may not be as great for our dogs as it may seem. We fur may sometimes do more harm than good. How to take care of wet fur and how to prevent any...

Cat scratching

Cats scratch, everybody knows that. But have you ever wondered why that is? If you have a feline companion at home, you might have thought it would be a good idea to break her habit of scratching. Especially if your cat has ruined your furniture with...

The ideal dog summer

Some love it, some hardly tolerate it. We are, of course, talking about summer and the hot weather that comes with it. Hot weather can become rather unpleasant for our canine companions. While cats usually tolerate heat without any major problems,...

Tips and recommendations: Preventing tick bites

Pet owners know that summer doesn't only bring warmth, sunshine and late sunsets. It's also the time of ticks, who know how to torment our four-legged friends. Unfortunately, it's very difficult, or even almost impossible, to prevent our pet from...

Pet grooming: When (not)to clip your dog's hair

The summer season calls for hair cuts. And not only yours but also your pets'. But a shorter coat doesn't always mean lower body temperature. On the contrary, sometimes it could be the other way round. How and when to clip our four-legged friends'...