A feline behaviour expert has shared insights into why your cat may sleep on you – revealing that the behaviour isn't just because you have a warm lap to cosy into
Lifestyle Rahima Miah and Natalie King 15:27, 30 Apr 2025Updated 15:28, 30 Apr 2025
A cat behaviour expert has shed light on why your kitty might just love snuggling up on you for a snooze. While one is for warmth, it's not the only reason. Amanda Campion, who's a qualified clinical cat behaviourist, suggested that your feline sees you as more than just a bed - you're also their security blanket.
In a TikTok video, Amanda revealed: "Your cat is choosing you because you make them feel safe and secure. You're just a nice little comfort blanket. Sleeping on you transfers their scent onto you and it's a way of making you part of their family. Your heartbeats and breathing can have a soothing effect on your cat just like their mother cat did for them."
She added it's "not just about warmth, it's about attachment, bonding and a feeling of security". It's very sweet when you put it like that!
Amanda pointed out that being picked regularly as your cat's favourite nap spot means they're showing you quite the compliment in cat world terms.
She also mentioned that getting snuggle time while tucked up in bed or when relaxing on the sofa with your furry friend is a "huge bonus" signifying a deep connection.
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Yet, she offered a word of caution against forcibly seeking affection from your pet by plonking them beside you, instead advocating for a "cat-led" approach to respect your puss's preferences.
Cats Protection, the UK's top feline welfare charity, has also shed light on cat sleeping habits on its website, revealing that our furry friends typically snooze for 12 to 18 hours a day and frequently switch up their sleeping locations.
The charity delves into why pet cats sometimes opt to sleep on their owners, offering three explanations for this behaviour.
1. Bonding
The experts say: "Cats are usually quite independent and solitary creatures. If they are happy to cuddle up to you, it shows that they trust you and see you as a friend.
"Cats who are bonded to each other will often sleep touching or intertwined with each other. The same goes for cats and their humans."
2. Because you're in 'their' bed
According to Cats Protection, human laps are perfect for cats because they're cosy, warm, and elevated. The charity explains that this preference stems from the great vantage point it offers and the hiding space underneath, which gives a sense of security.
The charity clarifies: "So the reason they're sleeping on you in bed could be because you've taken up all the room in their favourite sleeping spot. They have no other choice but to get comfy on top of you."
3. Warmth
One of the other reasons a cat may choose to sleep on a person is to take advantage of their body heat for warmth, mentions Cats Protection.
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Cats Protection has revealed the cosy secret behind why our feline pals love to curl up with us, pinpointing warmth as a "main requirement for a perfect sleeping spot".
To our kitties, we're just like a "big hot water bottle for them", which makes snuggling up an attractive option for staying warm.
The charity also explained why cats favour certain spots on their human's body for their naps. It shared: "When you're asleep in bed, it's likely that your head is the most stationary part of your body."
