Cats are fascinating and lovable animals. They can lie down quietly but will also be mischievous and destructive at times. Most cats are very independent, but sometimes they want to be close to their owners. If you are a cat owner, you will find it strange that your cat will cling to you every night. Why does my cat like to sleep next to me?
There are five main reasons why your pet cat likes to sleep next to you every night:
- Cats love a place that makes them feel safe
- They are defending their territory
- They like warm places
- They want companionship
- Your bed makes them comfortable
Follow our next analysis and sharing below to see more clearly why cats want to sleep with you every night!
Why does my cat sleep next to me?
They sleep next to you because they trust you to protect them in dangerous situations
As noted above, there are five main reasons why cats love your bed. Even though you have prepared the perfect place for them to sleep, that wonderful place is still neglected. Sometimes it’s not the sleep you prepare to be uncomfortable with, but some feline characteristics make up this habit.

Cats love a place that makes them feel safe
Any animal is highly alert at night, especially when they sleep. Cats also have those traits, and they are even more alert than some other species. To ensure their safety, they always cleverly choose the safest position and next to you is the last option.
You feed, pet, and protect them every day, making them trust you as a family member. They sleep next to you because they trust you to protect them in dangerous situations.
They are defending their territory
Cats are very possessive animals, and they are especially interested and protective of their territory. Maybe due to daily activities, they have considered your bed as their territory and need to protect the bed every night.
Cats have glands that secrete Pheromones to mark territory. When they pass or rub their heads against objects, they mark their territory. Perhaps your bed is its territory in the cat’s consciousness, and you are just a “sleepover” person.
They like warm places
Whether it’s winter or summer, cats seek warmth, and you can tell when they’re always looking for a place to bask in the sun during the day. Also, your body heat radiates like a “fireplace” that attracts cats at night.
In fact, a cat’s body temperature is about 102 degrees F. They can keep themselves warm on warm days, but when the air temperature drops lower, they must find a source of heat or work to maintain their core body temperature. Therefore, a beautiful but cold nest will not be more attractive than a bed with you at the right temperature.
They want companionship
Cats will take every opportunity to befriend you
Sometimes you want to adopt a cat to relieve the feeling of loneliness, so do cats. Some cats do not like to be alone, and there will be cats who always “mew mew” follow you to demand to pet.
If you are not at home with them much, they will also miss you and want to be around you more. Cats will take every opportunity to befriend you, and nighttime will be a great time to do so. They will still catch you even when you are sleeping.

Your bed makes them comfortable
Comfort is always loved, and the same holds true for cats. A comfortable and warm bed will give them a great night’s sleep.
Cats can also recognize the most comfortable sleeping place in your home and make choices. Their agility and flexibility help them go to all positions in the house, and they already know which is the most comfortable position. The softness of the pillow and the warm heat source will bring the most secure and comfortable feeling for their sleep.
Should you sleep with cats?
Whether or not you want to sleep with a cat is up to you. If you are not allergic to cats and your pet cat is really clean, co-sleeping is a great option. Conversely, people who are allergic to cats or do not like disturbed sleep should find ways to keep cats out of bed.
To make your decision easier, we’ll cover the pros and cons of your cat sleeping with you.
Cats help reduce stress and anxiety and improve blood pressure and depression
Advantages of sleeping with a cat
- Stress relief: Cats are pets and beautiful animals with soft fur. Many studies have shown that petting cats help reduce stress and anxiety and improves blood pressure and depression.
- Increase love: If you stick together for a while, it will make your relationship with your pet better. For a cat, when it wants to sleep with you in a bed, it is showing its trust and love for you.
- Warmer: When you and your cat sleep together, your cat will enjoy your warmth, but her warmth will also make you less cold. Its soft and warm coat has a very good heat retention effect.

Disadvantages of sleeping with a cat
Cats can create noise and affect your sleep
- Disturb your sleep: Cats are very active animals. They are more active at night. When you turn off the lights to go to bed, the cats can still walk around the room, run around, or meow. Those actions will create noise and affect your sleep.
- Make bed linen dirty: The range of movement of cats is often extensive; before going to bed, they may have run to the garden to play. Dirt or dirty water will inevitably get on them and then dirty your bed.
- Bugs and “cat diseases”: Cats are easy animals with parasites. If you don’t clean them, the parasites on cats can be transmitted to you while you both sleep. Even some diseases can be transmitted from cats to people. You need to make sure the cat is completely clean if you want to sleep with it.
Conclusion
Cats are animals that are not only beautiful but also very cute and intelligent, and they are very suitable to be petted. Their act of wanting to sleep next to you every night can be seen as a sweet embrace. However, you need to consider whether you really should let your cat sleep next to you. Make sure you are not allergic and that your cat is completely clean. We hope you have wonderful minutes with your cat!
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