While many cat lovers and owners are familiar with their feline companions pulling climbing stunts, disappearing for a while, stashing away your socks, and other strange things, one of the most interesting and affectionate things that do is laying or even sleeping on their owners’ chests. While this is a very common behavior for cats, people still ask their friends, the vet, or the wise old internet, why does my cat lay on my chest?
There may be no definitive answer to why your cat sleeps on your chest. However, there are a couple of thoughts and theories on why most cats would choose their owners’ chest as their favorite chilling spot. Stick with us, and we will tell you some of the reasons your cat lies on your chest.
Why Your Cat Likes To Lay On Your Chest
There are so many speculations about why cats cozy up on their owner’s chest. In no particular order, here are some of the reasons that may make some sense to you
● Cats Love Warmth:
When the sun rises in the morning, you might see your cat stretching in the light, soaking up the warm rays because along with their favorite meal, they also love warmth. Even with beautiful thick fur, the felines lurk around, searching for the warmest, most comfortable place to snuggle up or sleep in.
You could find them at peace close to a fireplace, sunbathing by the window, or on their owner’s bed, but for cats, their top choice for a warm place to sleep on is your chest or lap. Our bodies give off heat, and since the chest is one of the warmest regions of our bodies, it totally makes sense that cats will see it as an irresistible, super-comfy, and warm sleeping place.
● Your Heartbeat Is Soothing:
Why does my cat sleep on my chest? Your cat finds your heartbeat to be very soothing. For them, they like to sleep on your chest, listening to your heartbeat because it gives them the same feeling of safety and calmness they used to enjoy sleeping on their mother.
While this is some weird form of therapy for your cat, when your cat chooses to lay on your chest and starts to purr, it also has some calming and therapeutic effects on the owners. You can get relief from stress by petting a purring cat. If you ask us, that’s some yin & yang vibes.
● Your Cat Is Marking Territory:
If your question is “why does my cat lay on my chest and neck?” and you hope to learn something adorable as it means they are grumpy and calling for attention, well you may have to reconsider. Cats that always sleep on your chest might be making territorial claims on you. The more my cat wants to lay on my chest, the more attempts it is making to possess me. Such love!
This is a typical thing for cats to do even with their toys, beds and couches, and clothes. By lingering, sleeping, and sitting on things or people they like, cats cover them with their scent, claiming that territory as theirs.
● Your Scent Makes Them Feel Safe:
Why does my cat insist on sleeping on my chest? It’s because scents are very important to cats. They learn and form memories through familiar scents of people, people, and other objects they love, and themselves. Scents are so powerful that they can calm anxious cats.
Another reason your cat lays on your chest and purr is that your scent has become familiar with safety and relaxing sound sleep, and they just can’t get enough of you. You may have even noticed your cat sleeping on your pile of worn clothes. It is because those clothes still have your scent.
Why Your Cat Shouldn’t Lay on Your Chest for Long Periods
While you and your cat both enjoy the quiet relaxing bonding moments, you shouldn’t let your cat do this for long periods. Here are some reasons you have to say no, even though you’re thinking, “but my cat just wants to lie on my chest.”
● You may trigger allergies:
Apart from their coat, cats are known to have a few dead cells that can trigger allergies in some people. When your cat always lies on your chest, close to your face, you will inhale cat hair and some dander, which could travel to your lungs and cause respiratory problems. All cats have dander even if they are regularly bathed and brushed, but young kittens have less dander and hair.
● Your cat may get crushed:
It is always a good idea to have a cuddle before you fall asleep, but sleeping with your cat in your bed might end badly for your kitty because you could be turning in your sleep and end up crushing some part of your cat with your weight. Your cat would survive the ordeal, but not without injuries.
● Breathing might be tough:
When we sleep, we take deep long breaths and want to sleep deeply, but with an adult cat that always likes laying on your chest, you may not be able to breathe properly. Kittens feel comfortable for a while, but with time, the little fellas grow into big heavy cats.
● You may get clawed:
When cats are fast asleep, dreaming about whatever cats dream about, they like to stretch, and their claws come out. Apart from the painful feeling from sharp claws, you might wake up several times in a night, messing up your sleep cycle.
Conclusion
Well, suppose you’ve been following all the way. In that case, you may finally see that it is totally normal and even affectionate for your cat to always lay on your chest. This behavior means different things like safety, comfort, warmth, and territoriality (if you have more than one cat that likes laying on your chest or neck). Your cat shouldn’t sleep on your chest all the time.
Also, suppose you don’t like it. In that case, you could find alternatives for your pet like couches and other toys, but wouldn’t you agree that sometimes looking down at a vibrating fur ball on your chest gives a special kind of feeling?
