Where Your Cat Sleeps on Your Bed: Uncovering the Meaning

Cats are strange creatures, by and large. Their behavior has perplexed humans for all the years since they decided to befriend us in ancient times. One study concluded that providing care for a cat and even sleeping with them in your bed improves a person’s overall well-being. It has also long been thought that the purr of a cat has soothing and perhaps even healing properties. You may know these feelings well after living with a cat for a while. Have you ever wondered about their behavior regarding sleeping?

Naturally, sleeping is a vulnerable position for our feline friends. Although cats seem to sleep a lot, falling into a deep sleep is rare for them. Since they are both predators and prey, they must constantly be aware of their surroundings. So, if your cat sleeps with you, count it a true sign of their trust and affection!

Read on to get a deeper insight into your cat’s personality and your bond with them by discovering the meaning behind where your cat sleeps on your bed.

By Your Head: A Common Place for Cats to Sleep in the Bed

Cats tend to seek out warm places to sleep that make them feel safe. Humans release a lot of heat through their heads. That’s why you need to wear a warm hat when it’s cold out. Since humans usually sleep under the covers with only the head sticking out, around the head is usually the warmest place for your cat to sleep in the bed.

Other theories for this sleeping position include that your cat is looking out for you. By sleeping near the exposed part of your body, they could be protecting you.

Another reason could be that your cat knows you hear and see with your head. If they’re uncomfortable sleeping on their own, they may choose to be as close to your warning systems as possible. This way, they’re sure not to miss the signals if it’s time to flee.

At Your Feet

Some cats decide to sleep at the end of the bed near your feet. The main theory behind this sleeping position is that cats are very wary of their surroundings. They sleep lightly, listening for any signs of trouble. Cats also like to be up off the ground where they can observe the world around them. These factors combined make sleeping on the end of the bed a perfect spot. This position allows them to see everything without reducing their escape route options. Also, sleeping by your feet allows your cat to be close to you without sacrificing their view or their perceived safety.

When asked about general cat behavior, Dr. Julie Parks, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Northwood Hills Animal Hospital, told AZ Animals, “A cat’s perception is their reality. It does not matter what is actually happening to them or around them. What a cat thinks is happening, is happening.”

That means that if your cat thinks a situation is unsafe, there is rarely much you can do to convince them otherwise. Dr. Parks also said that this type of reaction in cats is due to their fight-or-flight response. In the wild, cats must constantly be on guard. Each situation presents the opportunity to either stand their ground and fight or to get away from the problem (flight). Some domestic cats keep this personality trait even if they live indoors their whole life. Thankfully, once a cat finally determines a place or situation is safe, they usually calm down. So, your cat sleeping at your feet in the bed is likely just a throwback to the days before cats lived in harmony with humans in our homes!

Between Your Legs

Venturing back to the fact that cats love a warm place to sleep, snoozing between your legs when you sleep provides just that. Other than being a nice warm spot to snuggle, being surrounded by your legs makes your kitty feel safe and hidden. Cats don’t like to be out in the open with the option to duck under or into something and hide. That’s also why cats tend to like beds with a raised edge or even covered beds. Check out our list of the best-rated cat beds and you’ll see — each of them has these features in one way or another. Safe and warm is your cat’s motto when it comes to getting good sleep!

When your cat sleeps between your legs in the bed, it also gives them a good view of the space from a safe place. We discussed that cats feel the need to observe everything, so this sleeping position ticks all their boxes.

Not only that but sleeping between your legs gives them the perfect opportunity to knead. The soft flesh of your legs feels similar to their mother’s belly from when they were nursing as a kitten. Repeating this action with you shows their trust, affection, and happiness with you.

Under the Covers

While sleeping under the covers is pretty rare in cats, some choose to crawl right in with you. You may find that your cat is more likely to cover up in the colder months than in the summer. This goes back to every cat’s desire to be safe and warm when they sleep. Hiding under the covers puts them completely out of sight and situates them right next to their favorite personal heater, you. Your body releases heat into the surrounding air and items when you sleep. That’s why some people get very hot when they sleep and throw their covers off. If your cat is feeling especially chilly, they may seek out the extra warm space with you under the covers.

Sleeping under the covers in your bed also shows your cat’s trust in you. They are eliminating their ability to see everything around them, which is one of their best defense mechanisms. Your cat is trusting that you’ll alert them to any potential problems should they arise. This is the ultimate sign of trust from your cat!

On Your Chest: The Most Meaningful Spot for Your Cat to Sleep

When a cat sleeps on top of you in bed, they may just want to feel close to you. Some experts believe this position comforts your cat by allowing them to feel your breathing and heartbeat. Just like your cat’s purring is comforting to you, your heartbeat is comforting to them. They can both hear the sound and feel the beats. In fact, cats can detect changes in your heartbeat and breathing. Sometimes, cats alert their owners to these changes, which has resulted in saving the human’s life!

Others consider it a protective sleeping position because they are shielding your most vital organs. If your cat feels possessive of you or the need to protect you, they may sleep on your chest to ensure you’re safe. This position also raises the cat even further from the ground and gives them an even better viewpoint.

Another theory is that your cat is marking their territory. Cats have scent glands all over their bodies, including their face, feet, and tail. When a cat rubs themselves on you, they are showing affection, while also applying their pheromones to you and your clothing. Pheromones are chemical scents that help animals communicate with their species. If a cat wants their pheromones on you, it means they claim you as theirs. Sleeping on your chest allows them to put their scent on you, even as they sleep. As anyone who has a cat knows, a cat owns you, not the other way around!

Final Thoughts on the Meaning of Where Cats Sleep in the Bed

We’ve discovered that where your cat decides to sleep on your bed can teach you more about their personality and how they feel about you. Did you know that the position a cat naps in can also give you some insight into their feelings? The main takeaway here is that when your cat sleeps with you, regardless of their position in the bed, they love and trust you. Now, go snuggle your cat!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © FamVeld/iStock via Getty Images