What causes my cat to sleep on my head and face?
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**Why Does Your Cat Sleep on Your Head?**
Ever wonder why your cat chooses to sleep by your head when you’re all snug in bed? While it may sound like the start of a children’s bedtime tale, many cat owners know that sharing their home often means sharing their pillow too. If you wake up with a furry helmet on your head, you might be curious about why cats prefer to snooze on your face and how to stop it if it disrupts your sleep.
Since we can’t exactly ask cats for answers, we consulted Amelia Wieber, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Caring Behavior LLC, for insights.
### Two Main Reasons Cats Sleep by Your Head
While there are various reasons your cat may opt to cuddle your face instead of your feet, Wieber identifies two primary explanations for this puzzling behavior.
1. **Your Head is the Coziest Spot**
Think about where your cat likes to nap during the day—likely in sunny spots, near the fireplace, on your lap, or beside a furry friend. Cats are naturally drawn to warmth when they sleep. According to Wieber, the body heat radiating from your head (often the only uncovered part when you’re under the blankets) may create an irresistibly cozy sleeping spot for your feline.
This preference for warmth has biological roots. A cat’s normal body temperature is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which is higher than our average of 98.6 degrees. Cats have fewer heat receptors than humans, so they often seek out warm surfaces (like your unsuspecting head) to help maintain their internal temperature.
2. **Your Cat Loves You**
If you feel a bit used by the warmth explanation, Wieber's second reason might uplift your spirits. “In my experience, cats that feel very close and comfortable with their humans will snuggle up to their heads while sleeping,” she explains. “So, you could take this behavior as a compliment.”
Wieber shares that she frequently wakes up with a cat sleeping on the pillow behind her head, but she has one cat, named Moscow, who particularly enjoys wrapping himself around her face. This behavior usually happens when it’s cold outside, suggesting that your cat might have several motivations for cuddling close.
### How to Stop Your Cat From Sleeping on Your Face
If sharing your pillow isn’t working for you—especially for those with allergies or who are light sleepers—there are ways to encourage your cat to sleep elsewhere while still preserving your bond.
Here are two strategies to help address the behavior:
1. **Provide an Extra Cozy Bed**
What could be cozier than your head? A heated cat bed! If warmth is the driving factor, Wieber suggests introducing a heated bed to redirect your furry friend away from your face and into their own comfy space.
2. **Give Your Cat Extra Attention**
Consider bonding with your cat in other ways while you’re awake. Set aside time to snuggle on the couch or let them rest on your chest for a bit before gently moving them to their heated bed as you turn off the lights.
If you’ve tried these tips and still have a pillow-hogging kitty, consult your veterinarian, a veterinary behaviorist, or a certified cat behavior consultant. Your sleep—and your relationship with your cat—deserve the effort to find a lasting solution.
Ever wonder why your cat chooses to sleep by your head when you’re all snug in bed? While it may sound like the start of a children’s bedtime tale, many cat owners know that sharing their home often means sharing their pillow too. If you wake up with a furry helmet on your head, you might be curious about why cats prefer to snooze on your face and how to stop it if it disrupts your sleep.
Since we can’t exactly ask cats for answers, we consulted Amelia Wieber, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Caring Behavior LLC, for insights.
### Two Main Reasons Cats Sleep by Your Head
While there are various reasons your cat may opt to cuddle your face instead of your feet, Wieber identifies two primary explanations for this puzzling behavior.
1. **Your Head is the Coziest Spot**
Think about where your cat likes to nap during the day—likely in sunny spots, near the fireplace, on your lap, or beside a furry friend. Cats are naturally drawn to warmth when they sleep. According to Wieber, the body heat radiating from your head (often the only uncovered part when you’re under the blankets) may create an irresistibly cozy sleeping spot for your feline.
This preference for warmth has biological roots. A cat’s normal body temperature is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which is higher than our average of 98.6 degrees. Cats have fewer heat receptors than humans, so they often seek out warm surfaces (like your unsuspecting head) to help maintain their internal temperature.
2. **Your Cat Loves You**
If you feel a bit used by the warmth explanation, Wieber's second reason might uplift your spirits. “In my experience, cats that feel very close and comfortable with their humans will snuggle up to their heads while sleeping,” she explains. “So, you could take this behavior as a compliment.”
Wieber shares that she frequently wakes up with a cat sleeping on the pillow behind her head, but she has one cat, named Moscow, who particularly enjoys wrapping himself around her face. This behavior usually happens when it’s cold outside, suggesting that your cat might have several motivations for cuddling close.
### How to Stop Your Cat From Sleeping on Your Face
If sharing your pillow isn’t working for you—especially for those with allergies or who are light sleepers—there are ways to encourage your cat to sleep elsewhere while still preserving your bond.
Here are two strategies to help address the behavior:
1. **Provide an Extra Cozy Bed**
What could be cozier than your head? A heated cat bed! If warmth is the driving factor, Wieber suggests introducing a heated bed to redirect your furry friend away from your face and into their own comfy space.
2. **Give Your Cat Extra Attention**
Consider bonding with your cat in other ways while you’re awake. Set aside time to snuggle on the couch or let them rest on your chest for a bit before gently moving them to their heated bed as you turn off the lights.
If you’ve tried these tips and still have a pillow-hogging kitty, consult your veterinarian, a veterinary behaviorist, or a certified cat behavior consultant. Your sleep—and your relationship with your cat—deserve the effort to find a lasting solution.
