Ever noticed your cat snuggling with someone specific at bedtime? And you've been left wondering why they've chosen that person and not you. If the question, "How do cats choose who to sleep with?" has been tugging at your heart, you're at the right place!
This article sheds light on this fascinating behavior. We'll cover topics ranging from how cats develop a preference for those who feed them, why they might opt for certain cozy spots, the importance of bonding, and much more.
Keep reading to quench your curiosity and unravel the bedtime behaviors of your kitty!
The Bedtime Preferences Of Cats
Cats have their unique way of selecting their snooze mate. More often than not, they might cuddle up with the person they share the deepest bond with.
However, if you've noticed your furry friend picking someone else over you as their slumber partner, don't feel disheartened just yet.
There's a good chance there are other factors influencing their choice.
Here are some possible elements at play:
- The attraction to their food provider
- A penchant for cozy spots
- Desire to reinforce bonds with certain individuals
- The lure of available and easily accessible sleeping locations
- Compatibility of personalities
Each of these aspects significantly shapes your cat's decision about their nighttime companion. Continue reading as we explore each of these intriguing facets in the sections that follow.
How cats choose their favorite person to sleep with
Let's take a closer look at some of the reasons listed above.
A preference to be with those that feed them
Cats are hardwired for hunting to ensure that they are able to fill their bellies. Domesticated cats, like your pet at home, know that food comes from a different source.
Just like the saying, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," the same is true for your cat. Your cat may choose to sleep with the person who feeds them every day, as a show of appreciation and to ensure that the food keeps coming.
Choosing a comfy spot
You may be astonished and a little bit disappointed if you know you are the cat's favorite human, but he or she doesn't choose to sleep with you at night. The reason for this could just come down to comfort.
Cats like to be comfortable and cozy when they sleep too, and if your bed simply isn't comfortable or doesn't have enough blankets to cuddle up with, your cat might choose to sleep with someone else.
Bonding
Cats develop natural bonds with humans, and if you've had your cat since it was a kitten, the bond could go all the way back to babyhood. When a cat has a bond with someone, that person makes it feel secure and safe.
The cat trusts that person and feels its best when that person is near.
Naturally, a cat will want to sleep with someone it has developed a strong bond toward.
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Choosing a convenient and accessible spot
Love and affection aren't the only reasons that cats will choose a specific bedtime partner. Remember that cats love to get up and explore throughout the night. Who your cat chooses to sleep with could be a matter of the most convenient place in the home for nighttime activities.
Does someone in your house leave the bedroom door open while everyone else shuts theirs? Does someone always get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom?
They might be a favorite with your cat because it can easily get up to play when the mood strikes.
Personality
Like with a bond, compatible personalities have a strong impact on how a cat chooses its favorite person. If your cat is playful and adventurous, you might find that its favorite person is a child in your home. Is your cat more laidback and lazy?
He or she may gravitate to the person who prefers to spend the day on the couch. Again, when bedtime comes around, it is only natural for a cat to choose to sleep with its favorite person.
Why Does My Cat Sleep With Me And Not My Husband?
If you share a bed with your significant other but your cat only wants to sleep with one of you, it might be personality or bond that is influencing Kitty's choice. A cat will naturally prefer someone that they have a stronger connection to.
If you notice that your significant other seems to be your cat's favorite but your cat is still choosing to sleep with you, other factors might explain this.
Your cat might like your side of the bed more because it is a more ideal temperature or is softer. Or, your sleeping habits might be more compatible with your cat's so you are a more convenient sleep partner.
Of course, many felines simply enjoy hogging the best spot in the bed - right in the middle!
Do Cats Get Attached To One Person?
Cats will naturally become attached to their owners. After all, they are the ones who provide them with everything they need for a comfortable life. If there is more than one person in the home, however, you may notice that your cat seems to be attached to one person over the others.
While this is natural and very common, whether or not it happens depends on each cat's personality.
One cat may be very attached to one particular person while another cat in the same family regards everyone the same or is attached to a different person.
How Do Cats Choose Their Favorite Person?
While cats are choosy when it comes to who they are attached to, they choose their favorite person much like any other animal or human.
Cats will choose their favorite person based on a number of factors such as who they bonded with as a kitten, whose personality they are most compatible with, and who spends the most time with them.
For more on this topic, read "Do Cats Have a Favorite Person?"
Where Do Cats Like To Sleep at Night?
Cats are naturally more active at night so they are likely to wake up many times throughout the night to play, eat, or hunt. Because of this, they likely have more than one preferred place to sleep and will choose a different one each time they go to sleep.
Cat owners have observed that their beds, other furniture, and the cat bed are the most popular places their cats sleep.
Why Do Cats Sleep On You?
Your cat may choose to sleep on you as a way to show its affection and deepen your bond. Because cats prefer to be alert and ready for the hunt, sleeping puts them in a vulnerable state.
If your cat chooses to sleep on you, it is a good indicator that he or she trusts you and feels safe and secure in your presence.
Why Do Cats Sleep At The End Of The Bed?
Cats like to sleep at the end of the bed so that they can feel close to you while they sleep but still be able to get away easily if they want to get up and explore in the middle of the night.
Cats will also choose to sleep at your feet rather than closer to you so they can still sleep with you without getting overheated by your body heat.
Should You Let Your Cat Sleep With You?
Letting your cat sleep with you is a matter of preference. There are a number of reasons why cat owners prohibit their cats from sleeping with them. Allergies reduced exposure to fleas and other parasites, and not getting a good night's sleep are among the top reasons.
However, there are many benefits to allowing your cat to sleep in your bed. Having a purrball in your bed has a calming effect and you might find yourself able to fall asleep more easily.
Letting your cat sleep with you also promotes bonding, especially if you have a busy schedule and can't otherwise spend a lot of time with your cat.
Having said that, some cats can interrupt an owner's sleeping patterns. There are ways to gently teach your cat not to wake you up at night, but this level of training usually takes patience and perseverance. For many, an easier solution is to keep the cat in a separate room during the night.
Read more: How To Stop My Cat From Waking Me Up At Night (step-by-step Plan)
Do Cats Protect You While You Sleep?
Cats are independent creatures, so it may come as a surprise to learn that they are naturally very protective of their family members.
If you pay close attention to your cat throughout the day, you may notice that it pays close attention to what you do and may even choose to nap in whatever room you are spending time in throughout the day.
This is because it is your cat's natural instinct to defend their territory, and that includes you.
The Cat's Bedtime Conundrum
Cats are no different from us, or our other pets, in that they naturally want to spend more time with the person they love the most. If a cat has an identified favorite person and also chooses that person for a sleep partner, there is no wonder why.
It is when your cat has an identified favorite person but chooses to sleep with someone else that is confusing. The reason for this choice could be anything from that person having the best bed in the house to that person secretly bonding with the cat over impromptu out-of-bed adventures in the middle of the night.
While it is disheartening not to have a furry bedtime companion or not to be a cat's favorite human, don't despair. Your cat likely loves everyone in its family, including you!
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