✔ This article was reviewed for accuracy by a licensed veterinarian.
In 2018 there were roughly 373 million pet cats in the world. Within the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly 50 percent of pet owners allow their pets to sleep in bed with them.
In my house, we learned that a cat in the bedroom means a zero percent chance at half-decent sleep! So that begs the question: why do our cats like to sleep with us? And more specifically: why does my cat lay on my chest?
Below is an overview of the various topics we covered in this post:
A quick overview of the sleeping behavior of cats
Why Does My Cat Lay on My Chest? 8 Reasons Why
#1. Cats like to feel safe and secure
#2. Cats seek out warmth
#3. Cats like to hear your heartbeat
#4. Cats love their caregivers
#5. Cats protect their loved ones
#6. Cats like to claim objects, areas, and people
#7. Cats prefer comfortable areas to rest
#8. Cats miss us and want to spend time with us
Key takeaways: Why does my cat lay on my chest?
A quick overview of the sleeping behavior of cats
Before we get into why your cat is getting cozy on your chest, we need to first understand the sleeping behaviors of cats in general. Cats sleep an average of fifteen hours a day, and some can sleep up to eighteen or even twenty hours in a twenty-four-hour period.
Cats are also most active between dusk and dawn. When you’re finally ready for rest — your cat is ready to play!
While the nickname “catnap” is cute and catchy — there is biological reasoning behind why cats take naps. Cats are predators and their biological need to hunt drives their sleeping behaviors.
The ability to chase prey requires a ton of energy, and the sleeping habits of cats provide them with ample energy when needed. The National Park Service notes that a domestic cat’s motivation to hunt is strong and even your well-fed cat will prey on local birds, small mammals, and reptiles if given the opportunity.
Now you know that the little hunter needs that rest so they can provide for the family. Onto the reason why they chose your chest!
Why Does My Cat Lay on My Chest? 8 Reasons Why
#1. Cats like to feel safe and secure
Before you go to bed, you likely lock up your home to ensure your family is safe and secure. A cat is no different in its goal for safety and security.
Dr. Marci Koski of Feline Behavior Solutions in Vancouver, Washington notes that cats want to sleep in a safe area as they’re more vulnerable when resting. As such, sleeping with or on a family member is a natural fit.
It’s important to remember that your cat is both a predator to some animals and prey to others. Cats are aware of this and look for safe situations when they need to recharge. Now is a good time to turn on “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias and sing it to your feline roommate.
#2. Cats seek out warmth
Cats like warm things! Per VCA Pet Hospitals: The normal body temperature range for cats is between 100.5°F and 102.5°F (38.1°C and 39.2°C). Comparatively, the normal body temperature range for humans is between 97°F and 99°F (36.1°C – 37.2°C).
A cat’s higher body temperature allows for higher tolerance to heat. It may come as a surprise to many, but cat fur assists cats in regulating body heat for both cold and warm days.
James H. Jones, an expert in comparative animal exercise physiology and thermoregulation at the University of California at Davis stated, “Fur actually insulates the body in cold weather and helps prevent the body from taking on too much heat in warm weather.”
At the end of the day, cats really like heat. When they look for warm sports, especially at night, they often seek their human companions. That warm area your cat is searching for could be your chest, the random spot on the floor where the sunlight comes through the window, and even right smack-dab in the middle of your laptop during a meeting. It just feels a little better when they choose us as the source of that warmth.
#3. Cats like to hear your heartbeat
Hearing someone else’s heartbeat can have the same effect as looking that person in the eye. Listening to your own heartbeat can help relax and calm people down. And the sound of your heartbeat and steady breathing is comforting to your cat.
Your heartbeat is a familiar sound to your cat, that may remind them of cuddling with other cats as a kitten. Hearing your heartbeat is comforting and can help reinforce your bond while you cuddle.
Cats may also be drawn to the rhythm of our heartbeat, our breathing, and the movement created by inhaling and exhaling. Combine that with the scent they are familiar with, and you’ve provided your cat with a nice bed and (human) sound machine.
Your cat may have done it more as a kitten, but many fully grown cats still enjoy laying on their owner’s chest and listening to their heartbeat while enjoying the warmth.
#4. Cats love their caregivers
Whether they show it or not — your cat loves you. Cats can form attachments to their caregivers similarly to how dogs and even babies form with their caregivers.
Your cat bonds with you, factoring in the warmth, security, love, and food you provide them. (Mainly the food though!) Cats can form secure attachments to their owners. Secure attachments indicate that the cat trusts that its caregiver will look after its needs.
This love leads to cats wanting to bond with us (often while we’re busy or about to be busy). Many cats decide to show their love and trust by laying on your chest.
#5. Cats protect their loved ones
Cats look to protect their loved ones in the same way dogs do. Part of how they try to protect their humans can come in the form of laying on our chests — a type of territorial behavior.
Your cat is more aware of where you are and what you’re doing than you may realize. Their enhanced senses for hearing and smell enable them to keep tabs on their loved ones.
But the best place to keep tabs on you is right on top of your body! Not only are you making the cat feel more secure and comfortable, but they also are more comfortable knowing you are safe and as close as possible. Your regular heartbeat and steady breathing soothe your cat and let them know everything is okay.
#6. Cats like to claim objects, areas, and people
Cats are also known to claim items and areas in and around their home. A cat may be trying to claim you by laying on your chest.
When a cat rubs on you or lays on you, they release pheromones, claiming you as their territory. Sometimes before they lay down, they may knead on top of you. Cats release pheromones from the glands around their paws when they knead.
If you have multiple cats, you may find that one lays on your chest far more often than the other. This is likely due to that cat feeling a strong bond with you and claiming you from the other cat(s). This behavior may explain why your other cat doesn’t lay with you as much, as they recognize you have been claimed. (Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the other cat doesn’t love you!)
#7. Cats prefer comfortable areas to rest
We’ve all seen the funny pictures of cats laying on radiators, in cardboard boxes, and even on top of cold kitchen counters. They may be able to rest in these places, but these areas aren’t as comfortable as you are.
In addition to the reasons listed above, cats simply like comfortable places to rest. They require tons of rest and prefer to do it where they can be safe and comfortable.
Your chest checks both of those boxes, especially if you have a comfortable shirt or blanket on top of you. Just make sure your torso is well covered in case they knead a little before laying down.
#8. Cats miss us and want to spend time with us
Cats are affectionate creatures and like to show that affection to their caregivers. There are some conflicting studies on whether cats truly need us to feel secure, but we can separate “need” from “love”.
- The case against. A 2015 study by the University of Lincoln found that adult cats are typically quite autonomous, even in their social relationships, and not necessarily dependent on others to provide a sense of security and safety.
- The case for. Kristyn Vitale, a researcher in the Human-Animal Interaction Lab in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, found that cats, like children and dogs, develop attachments to their caregivers.
Regardless of how you feel about each study — your cat can still form a deep bond with you and miss you. One of the best ways to show you that you’ve been missed is to curl up on your chest after a long day.
Key takeaways: Why does my cat lay on my chest?
The next time your cat decides to lay on you at the worst time, remember how much that little animal loves and trusts you!
So why does my cat lay on my chest? Your cat lays on your chest for security, for warmth, to be soothed by your heartbeat, to share their love with you, for both yours and their protection, to claim you, and frankly — to find a comfortable place to rest.
This list has one big thing in common — YOU! So, whenever you think you don’t know enough or made a mistake, remember how much your cat loves and trusts you. You’re doing a pretty great job. Keep showing love to that four-legged roommate.
AnimalWised hits on some key points in this cute and informative video: