Ever wake up during the middle of the night and seen a small little fluff ball all curled up right beside your head?
It’s your cat sleeping right beside your head!
Out of all places on the bed your cat wants to sleep right by your head on the pillow
I know what you’re thinking – Why does my cat sleep on my pillow?
Let’s find out
Carry on reading
(Make sure to check out the video right at the bottom of this article – It’s too cute! Be warned!)
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Why Has My Cat Started Sleeping On My Pillow
Let’s look at the different possible reasons why your cat has started sleeping on your pillow
You’re going to love the second reason
Warmth
Yep – it’s warm at the top of your head and cats love to seek places where it’s warm
According to wayofcats.com cats love to sleep in places where it’s warm
You see, the heat from your body escapes from your head which influences your cat to sleep right there
Your cat needs to maintain their body temperature which is an average of 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Instead of your cats body working hard to keep at this temperature
It just makes it easier for your little furball to sleep on your pillow right by your head
This helps keep your cat warm and makes it easier on your cats body to keep it warm
Another reasons your cat is sleeps on your pillow is (this reason might make you happy)
Scent
Your cat loves your scent which is why they like cuddling right next to you
Why by your head? Because they may like the smell of your hair – so whatever shampoo you’re using, it works!
According to Marilyn Krieger who is the owner of thecatcoach.com sleeping by your head makes your cat feel safe and secure when they’re sleeping
Just as much as your cat loves your scent they are marking you with theirs
We all know cat are very territorial animals and dominant too so making you part of their territory again makes them feel safe and secure
Yes, you belong to your cat (I’m sure you already knew that though!)
Trust And Protection
Your cat trusts you which is why they sleep right beside your head and on your pillow
It’s the biggest compliment a cat parent can receive knowing our cats trust us
It shows there’s a strong bond between the cat and cat owner
You’re doing something right!
Here’s the funny thing though
Your cat may sleep with their rear sticking right in your face
I know it’s not something you want to wake up too but it’s actually a good sign
How?
This is your cat showing their ultimate trust in you by turning their back on a creature (you) that is not considered part of their proverbial family
I guess it’s cute for your cat to sleep with their rear towards you – sort of, but hey at least you know your cat trusts you right?
Here’s an important question
Is It Healthy To Sleep With Your Cat?
It may feel warm and build a beautiful bond with your cat when they sleep with you
But is it safe to do so?
Can it be harmful?
Let’s find out
It’s actually a good thing
Here’s why
According to Bill Fish who’s a co-founder of Tuck.com he says as you feel your cats rhythmic breathing this can soothe you and make you fall asleep quicker which is pretty awesome especially for those who suffer from insomnia
They also reduce stress and bring you warmth and comfort
So during the winter nights you can have a hot purring cat beside you – Who could say no to that!
But there could be some problems
Depending on how much your cat sleeps and moves about during the night
Some cats will wake up during the middle of the night for food or to play which can disrupt your sleep
It’s not a good thing if you have to be up early morning (your cat may bite your face to wake you up anyway)!
Another thing to consider is fleas!
If your cat has fleas then be prepared to wake up with flea bites!
If you have an indoor cat then it’s less likely they could get fleas or if they do you can manage it because your cat stays indoors
So what about outdoor cats?
Outdoor cats can pose different threats
How?
They are exposed to more disease carriers because they spend their time outdoors
What kind of disease can cats carry?
- Gastrointestinal worms
- Giardiasis
- Ringworm
- Toxoplasmosis
- Hantavirus Infection
As you can see, outdoor cats can carry a lot of diseases and then you cuddling with your cat at night can be dangerous
Here’s how you can reduce the risk of contracting these health risks
Take your cat to the vets regularly and make sure they are up to date with their immunizations – This is what the CDC (Center For Disease Control and Prevention) recommends
Who doesn’t want to cuddle with their cats? But it’s important to take precautions
Make sure they are checked regularly with the vets
If your cat is showing any signs of illness then it’s best not to snuggle with them
[su_box title=”Did You Know? ” box_color=”#faeb35″ title_color=”#221313″]The CDC estimates that around 50% of cat parents allow their pets to sleep in their bed with them [/su_box]
Does your cat sleep with you in your bed?
Let me know in the comments below!
Related articles you may be interested in
Do Cats like to be petted while sleeping
Why do cats sleep with their owners
Do cats like to be covered with a blanket
Wrapping It Up
If you wake up to see your cat sleeping right by your face on your pillow think of it as sign your cat loves you and trusts you
It’s a good thing
As long as you’re comfortable sharing your pillow with your little furbaby
But hey, they do keep us warm
Last time, my brother fell asleep on the couch and my cat was sleeping right on his chest!
His paw was basically dangling from my brothers shoulder!
I don’t know how my brother can sleep in that position for that long! lol
Here’s a cute video I had to share with you