Do cats like to be under blankets? (Can You?)

Have you ever wondered why your cat is in your bed for the umpteenth time? Maybe you would be better off with a cat bed? (Click here for my 5 best cat beds for kittens) Let me first explain if this happens to other people and why it happens…

Do Cats like to be under blankets? Yes, it makes them feel warm and your body is a source of heat. It is also a way for them to show affection toward you. In some cases, you may notice your cat prefers sleeping in your bed more than their own.

Now let me explain why kittens sleep under the blanket, if they prefer their own bed, if it’s safe to have them under the sheets and more.

I remember my brother getting down to his last bonbon sweet in the packet, he looked at me and offered this delicious sweet to me. Firstly I was shocked, but more than this I was appreciative. He didn’t have to do this.

It occurred to me that this was one of the most subtle shows of affection. In a way, this is similar to your kitten hopping into your bed and cuddling up to you under the covers.

Why do Kittens Sleep under the Blanket?

By now you know that cats like sleeping under blankets, but do you fully get why? Let me explain a number of different reasons why cats sleep under your blanket to help you to understand.

Keeping themselves warm

As briefly discussed earlier, they love to keep warm (Click here to see why cats love Fuzzy Blankets). When they burrow under the sheets, believe it or not, you are like a hot water bottle to your cat. They simply love the warmth that your body gives off.

As you know, cats are notorious for looking out for warm spots. Even if there is a slight crack of sunlight peering into your lounge through an open curtain, they will be lapping up that heat by throwing themselves in its path.

A Sense of Security

When your cat snuggles up with you, they feel an element of security. When they sleep they are at their most vulnerable. Simply because any predator could attack while they in this state. Even though this is unlikely in a domestic environment, it is still an instinctive concern.

Therefore, in this state they feel secure in your presence under the sheets snuggled up to you, are you with me?

Showing Mad Love

The final fact is affection. Your cat simply likes to show you love. Assuming you have treated your cat right, you will not be surprised to see her snuggling up with you. This is her showing you love.

Do Cats Prefer Their Own Cat Bed?

This depends on the cat. But what I would say is, they prefer it even more, when an item of yours is on it. If you have an old clothing item, that you no longer need, they will love to chill on their cat bed (Click here for my 5 best cat beds for kittens).

The reality is some cats just want to be near you, wherever you are. While others feel proud of their own cat bed. The later see this as part of their territory. For these cats, this will make them feel secure in their own territory.

Is it Safe For Them To Be Under the Blanket?

According to Canidie, their vet did not have any concerns with this. The understanding is that an adult cat is unlikely to starve of oxygen under the sheets.

They believe that if the cat is uncomfortable under the sheets she will simply relocate to a different location where there is more oxygen.

However, it is not recommended for kittens. The reasons for this is they do not have the same level of strength as an adult cat and could be at a risk for this.

It seems the general conscientious, amongst cat owners, is that they see no issue with this and have done it for years without any problems.

Ultimately it will come down to your preference and tolerance for risk. Some people will not even give this a second thought, while others may panic about it. If you are worried I say don’t do it.

Why do cats sleep on your head?

I have always been a fan of peanut butter. I remember my cousin entering the room with two plates, one with cheese sandwiches, the other with peanut butter. As I snatched the peanut butter sandwich, I munched on sweet peanut butter I literally felt stuck that position.

Almost like my feet were welded to the ground. This is similar to why cats sleep on your head, it is just less likely to move…

The reality is you lose most of the heat from your body through your head (Click here to see why cats get in your face while you sleep) . This means that it is a great heat source. This is why your cat is relaxing on your head. It is literally emitting a heap of heat, which your cat loves.

As well as this, your head is less likely to be thrashing around in the night. Your hands and legs are much more likely to do this. That is why your cat may have selected this area to relax on.

Should you even be sleeping with your cat?

This is really a personal preference. There are pros and cons on both sides of the fence. To help let me explain some of the pros and cons of this:

Pros of letting your cat into your bed at night:

Firstly it is quite warm and cozy. Especially in the winter months when warmth is at a premium, you will really benefit from your cat snuggling up to you.

Arguably this can be seen as a type of stress relief. It is an opportunity to switch off and relax and snuggle with your cat.

Cons of doing this:

Unfortunately, there are some negatives. They are notorious for having dirty feet. Just think about where their feet have been. They could be walking in and out of the litter tray and transferring the mess into your bed, yuk!

They also are not good night sleepers. Cats have a tendency to be active in the night. They like to have various cat naps in the day and then go crazy in the night. This is great for them, but not so good for you.

If you are prone to allergies, then this is not a good idea for you. Some people have allergic reactions to cat hairs, especially the long cat hairs.

Related Questions:

What does it mean when a cat licks you? This is a show of affection as well as an instinctive reaction passed down from their mother. As kittens, cats are groomed and licked by their mother. You may even notice cats licking other cats.

If she is doing this to you, take it as an honor. The fact that she is doing this means that she trusts and loves you. She will not lick any random person, that’s for sure.

Can I put a blanket on my cat? Yes, it’s fine. The reality is, if she does not like it she will just move it out of her way. Soe cats love this and will thrive on it.

Others prefer to lay on top of the covers and will immediately remove the sheets and use it as their mat. If you are curious, best to just try it and see how she reacts to it.

Why does my cat cover his face when he sleeps? This is because he is blocking the bright light from his face. The fact is most cats flock to the warm spots. Often this is in direct sunlight or a gap of the sun that enters a room through a crack in the curtains.

If your cat is in this direct light the chances are it will irritate his eyes. Hence the reason he covers his face when he sleeps.

Lindsey Browlingdon

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