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View 2 More +Cats have all sorts of odd (and sometimes annoying behaviors), which sometimes include sleeping on people’s heads. Though most pet owners don’t seem to find this behavior, others find it difficult to understand why their cat is choosing to sleep on their heads.
So why do some cats sleep near people’s heads and some do not? Whether you find this behavior cute or annoying, we’ll help you figure out the reason in this article.
Top 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Sleeps on Your Head
1. Smell
In some instances, your cat may like the way your hair smells. This is most common for women, who tend to use lots of products in their hair. If you’re using something the cat particularly likes or is curious about, they may decide to sleep next to your smelling-good hair.
This may not necessarily have anything to do with affection. Your can may not be lying there because they want to be close to you. They may think your hair and your pillow smell nice.
2. Affection
In many cases, cats may decide to sleep on your head for affectionate purposes. They may merely like sleeping near you, which can be precisely why they decide to sleep near your head. Of course, we may never know why they choose not to sleep next to your head instead of your feet, for example.
It may be that your cat doesn’t see sleeping next to your cover-up limbs the same as sleeping next to you since they’re under the blanket. Your head may be the only thing your cat can see, hence why they decide to sleep next to your head.
Alternatively, your feline may sleep next to you for affection but pick your head precisely because it’s easy to cuddle next to, as your hair might be more “comfortable” for them. Or, they may also like the smell of your hair.
3. Avoiding Your Restlessness
Alternatively, your cat may be avoiding your restless movements at night. If you move a lot at night, your cat probably knows this. Since your feline doesn’t want to get rolled over on, they may sleep somewhere safe that is still next to you – your pillow.
They don’t have to worry about you rolling over on them if they’re next to your head. They also don’t have to worry about your arms or legs moving around and accidentally bumping into them as you sleep.
You may not be aware of how much you move in your sleep. Even if you don’t move that much, one bad experience may make your cat decide that sleeping on your pillow is the safest solution.
4. Comfort
Your cat may like sleeping on your pillow more than other parts of the bed. It may be more comfortable. If your cat likes squishy sleeping places in other situations, then this is probably even more likely to be true.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that your feline isn’t being affectionate at all. They may want to sleep near you and find that your pillow is the most comfortable place near you. Plus, it’s probably the warmest as well!
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5. Warmth
Though cats naturally have a higher body temperature than humans do, in some instances, your cat might be sleeping next to your head to keep warm. Kittens aren’t good at thermoregulation and might appreciate the warmth that emanates from your head (humans lose a great deal of heat from their heads!). Cats with no hair, or sparse hair, are less tolerant of the cold and might choose your head as a resting place. Likewise, an unwell cat and under the weather might simply be feeling cold (similar to when we’re not feeling well) and may decide that sleeping near your head is a way to keep warm while they rest.
Which One is It?
With several possible reasons, you may be wondering how to figure out which reason is behind your cat’s behavior. Sadly, it isn’t always possible to determine exactly why your cat is acting a certain way. Your cat can’t talk, and there aren’t any behaviors that will make one reason more likely than the other. Most cats don’t sleep at night, and if your cat chooses to snuggle with you, odds are they’re doing so just for affection.
Plus, there may not be a single reason your feline decides to sleep on your pillow. They may decide that they want to sleep near you and find that your pillow is the most suitable solution. Or, they may want to sleep somewhere warm and find that your pillow helps them avoid your restless movements as you sleep. In most cases, there is probably a list of reasons behind your cat’s behavior.
What If You Can’t Sleep?
In many cases, your cat may not disturb your sleeping situation all that much. In this situation, there may be little reason to make your cat sleep somewhere else. However, sometimes cats are just as restless as us, which may keep us awake. Furthermore, some cats try to sleep on their owner’s heads, which can be uncomfortable for us.
If you find yourself unable to sleep with your cat’s current insistence on sleeping near your head, there are a few things you can do.
- Remove your feline. Sometimes, simply removing your feline from your pillow a few times will make your cat think twice about trying again. Some cats don’t require a lot of pushing before changing their ways and sleeping somewhere else. However, some are a bit more insistent, so you’ll need to use a different method.
- Provide your cat with their own bed. You’ll also need to give your cat their own bed. Pay attention to their sleeping habits so that you can choose a bed that matches their preferences. Sometimes, cats like to snuggle into their bed. In this case, you should purchase a bed with a top or one with very high sides that they can snuggle in. Some cats may not like feeling contained, however. In these cases, you’ll need to purchase a flatter bed so that your cat doesn’t feel trapped.
- Train your cat to sleep somewhere else. In some cases, you may need to train your feline to sleep somewhere else. This may be as easy as closing your door at night, so your feline can’t get in. Many cats will meow and whine at your door, though. Luckily, this should only last a few nights, and then your feline will get used to the new routine. Ensure your feline has everything they may need in their new sleeping area, including a comfortable bed.
What If Your Feline Is Restless?
Occasionally, your cat may be particularly restless at night. If they insist on sleeping on your head but always get up and down, it may be hard for you to sleep. As mentioned above, cats don’t necessarily sleep at night. You may have to prioritize your health in this instance using the tips provided above, as sleep is very important for your health.
Cats do not have the same day-night cycle as we do. Cats are naturally crepuscular, and often more active at night versus during the day. In the wild, cats often retreat during the heat of the day and hunt at night. This is because some of their prey (rodents) are more active at night, while others (birds) have worse vision than cats do in darkness. In between hunts, cats tend to unwind and rest. In your home, your cat may see the safest place as being next to you, which may be precisely why they decide to sleep on your head.
Conclusion
Your cat sleeps on your head or near your head for several reasons. However, most of these reasons are pretty harmless and not a cause for concern. If your cat seems unwell and seems to seek you out as a source of warmth though, it’s recommended that you have them looked over by a veterinarian.
Related Reads:
- Why Does My Cat Sleep at My Feet? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons Behind This Behavior
- Why Does My Cat Sleep On My Legs? 11 Vet-Reviewed Explanations For This Behavior
- Why Does My Cat Hug My Arm? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
Featured Image Credit: masik0553, Shutterstock
