Can you tell a lot about a cat and your relationship with them by their sleeping patterns? Of course, it’s subjective to presume what a cat is thinking and often wildly unpredictable. But the way they sleep and where they do it could give you some interesting insights! Mainly, it’s fun to think about, although the real story may take a cat behavior expert to figure out.
“I wonder what they dream about? 🧡💤” shared Cole and Marmalade.
Image via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
What Does a Cat’s Sleeping Position Mean?
Recently, we spotted a video making the rounds on social media about a cat’s sleeping position. The video claims that a feline’s choice of where to sleep in relation to you can tell you about your relationship! Of course, we would take this with a grain of cat litter, but it did make us laugh! Can you relate to what they found?
Again, it’s just for fun, and we would say each cat is unique and these are purely entertaining generalizations.
Jugg on a bed curled up via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
In the video, they shared some interesting theories which are fun to think about:
- If they sleep by your feet, they think you’re their kitten and need to protect you all the time!
- If they sleep by your head, especially if they put their butt near your face, they think you’re their mom and are ready to be groomed!
- If they sleep on top of you, they think you’re their belongings, just how they call dibs on everything else at your house.
- If they sleep between your legs, they think you’re their human heater.
- If they sleep as the little spoon, they think they’re your guardian.
- If they sleep under your bed, they are a little insecure and are still yet to trust you.
- If they sleep by the front door or the window, they think they’re the boss and need to guard their colony from intruders 24/7, even when they’re sleeping.
- If they sleep above you, according to cat hierarchy law, the higher you sit, the higher you rank. So, they have accepted you to be part of their colony as a low-ranking cat!
Video by Flerkin Cats DIY:
Five Reasons Your Cat Sleeps with You
In a previous video, Flerkin Cats DIY explored “five reasons your cat sleeps with you.”
“Funny but true, your bed actually belongs to your cat,” they state.
We’d have to agree, but then, we think cats view pretty much everything as well as us as “theirs.” And we’re ok with that!
We also love this quote:
“Cats love warmth. They always look for the warmest spot. Your body heat is like a little heater for them. It’s like you are their personal sun at night!”
Image by Cole and Marmalade/Facebook
And we hope that our kitties view our bed as “a 5-star hotel for sleeping.” However, their late-night antics sometimes make us crazy! But we do enjoy being guardians for them, helping them feel protected and loved in the darkness.
“Next to you, they feel protected and trust you completely. It’s pure love!”
As a reminder, if your cat doesn’t want to sleep with you, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you or that they have a problem with you! Each cat is unique, but if you notice a sudden change in behavior, including sleeping habits, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet.
Video by Flerkin Cats DIY:
Cole and Marmalade on Seven Cat Sleeping Positions
Last year, Cole and Marmalade shared what seven cat sleeping positions mean. Since cats can sleep 15 hours each day, there’s a lot of time for observations!
Marmalade takes on all kinds of sleeping positions. Images via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
- Curled-up kitties – cats do this most often to protect their body heat and vulnerable organs
- One eye open – a cat is able to sleep while still remaining able to react fast if something happens around them.
- Sideways sprawl – a cat is feeling super relaxed and secure and may want to cool off.
Marmalade and Zig Zag all sprawled out via YouTube/Cole and Marmalade
- The classic loaf – The loaf position is hilarious, but it’s also a way for a cat to be ready to take off fast if they want to
- Boxed kitty – a cardboard box makes them feel safe, protected, and insulated.
- Belly-up! – A cat feels completely safe and secure. But don’t be fooled into touching the soft belly, or you might be surprised by a sneak attack!
- Shielding their eyes – So cute, but it’s the unconscious cat equivalent of “Do Not Disturb!”
“The positions your cats sleep in can give us a glimpse into how they’re feeling… did we miss any others?”
Cole looking cute in a blueberry box via YouTube/Cole and Marmalade
Video by Cole and Marmalade:
Jackson Galaxy on Why Cats Sleep On You
Jackson Galaxy found that people often search Google to learn why a cat will sleep on them. As he puts it, “cats are just heat-seeking feline missiles” who love warmth! And the warmest place is near your head, which is why they are attracted to curl around your noggin, even if it might wake you up sometimes!
Galaxy also identifies other reasons cats will sleep on their human:
- Claiming you as their territory
- Memories of being a safe, cuddling kitten, aka “pillowing” or “cuddle puddle.”
- Feeling your heartbeat makes them feel secure.
- They love you!
“At what point to we go, ‘My cat just loves me. That’s why they’re doing it,” says Galaxy. “These are all indications that the bond is really tight between you are your cat.”
Image via Facebook/Cole and Marmalade
Galaxy also points out that cats are individuals with unique behaviors. Not all will sleep on you, but that doesn’t mean the bond between you isn’t just as strong!
“It doesn’t matter. If you look for it, your cat is going to be sending you signals that they love you. And it doesn’t have to be sleeping on top of you all the time,” Galaxy reassures everyone. “There are so many different ways that your cat can say, ‘I love you.'”
Video by Jackson Galaxy on ‘Why Does My Cat Sleep on Me?’:
