✔ This article was reviewed for accuracy by a licensed veterinarian.
You have a decision to make. Either you get up to use the bathroom, or you continue to hold it and watch your cat snooze right on your legs. It’s come down to your personal comfort or your cat’s. Chances are you’ll hold it a bit longer, hoping your cat gets up on its own and wondering to yourself: “Why does my cat sleep on my legs?”
Well, the short answer is when a cat lives in a human’s home, the cat is the king or queen of the castle. We all know that. It’s their world and they allow us to live in it. We just finance it, clean it, love it, and explain to our friends how great it is and how scratches aren’t that bad!
Below is an overview of the various topics we covered in this post:
Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Legs?
#1. Your Legs Move Less Than Other Body Parts
#2. Cats Are Seeking a Warm and Cozy Spot
#3. Cats Feel Secure When They’re Near You
#4. It’s a Good Point of View
#5. It’s Their Way of Bonding with You
#6. They Have a Habit of Sitting in Your Lap
#7. They’re Marking and Claiming Their Territory
#8. They Are Comforting You
#9. Sometimes It’s Hormonal
#10. They Want to Get into a Deep Sleep
#11. Maybe They Don’t Want Petting
Other Body Parts Cats Like to Sleep On
–Why does my cat sleep on my head?
–Why does my cat sleep on my chest?
–Why does my cat sleep on my lap?
–Why do cats turn their backs to us when they’re sleeping?
Should You Allow Your Cat to Sleep with You?
–Pros of allowing your cat to sleep with you
–Cons of allowing your cat to sleep with you
Conclusion
Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Legs?
Before we explore the reasons that cats sleep on our legs, it’s important to understand that cat sleep behavior is different from human sleep behavior.
When they take naps throughout the day, cats are replenishing their energy. While humans sleep in one long block, cats take several catnaps and they’re usually in light sleep mode, rarely dipping into the deeper sleep that humans crave.
Unlike humans, cats are natural hunters, and they are always ready to defend themselves or attack prey. In fact, even if your cat appears to be in a deep sleep, his sense of smell and hearing are always sharp and at the ready.
Cats spend most of their day every day poised for quick action, so when they curl up with you, it’s a rare chance for them to relax and seek extra protection. If your cat sleeps closely with you, that means that they trust you and can be vulnerable with you.
Let’s dive into some of the details to explain why your cat sleeps on your legs.
#1. Your Legs Move Less Than Other Body Parts
Why do cats sleep on our legs compared to other parts of our bodies? It’s likely because your legs move less than the rest of you when you’re sleeping.
When we are asleep, we move our arms around more than we do our legs. However, when we’re sitting in the living room watching TV or reading, our legs usually aren’t moving at all. Contrast this with our arms, which are in nearly constant movement.
There are many more reasons, but we wanted to clarify why the legs first and foremost. Read on for the other fascinating reasons.
#2. Cats Are Seeking a Warm and Cozy Spot
The primary reason cats like to curl up with us when they’re sleeping is that our bodies are warm. You’ve probably noticed that cats instinctively seek out warm spots.
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).
When your cat snuggles up with you, they can help their bodies maintain their desired temperature with less effort. This also explains why they like to snooze in warm sunny windows.
In short, cats like to be warm when they’re sleeping.
#3. Cats Feel Secure When They’re Near You
When living in the wild, cats will always seek the safest resting place between hunts. In your house, the safest resting place is you.
Cats must maintain a constant watch for danger, even if it’s only perceived danger. Dr. Zay Satchu of NYC’s Bond Vet says that when cats are around their humans, they feel safer, especially when they sleep — which is when they’re most vulnerable.
Dr. Satchu notes that this behavior begins when cats are still kittens. When they’re very young, kittens pile up with their siblings and stay close to their mother when possible. This is how kittens are raised and socialized and this behavior becomes a lifelong habit.
Essentially, you have replaced your cat’s mother. And you get to clean up after your fur child like their real mother anyways!
#4. It’s a Good Point of View
You provide your cat with a good view if you allow them to sit or sleep on your legs while sitting. Regardless of if you’re watching Tiger King or reading a book — your cat likes the position so they can keep their eyes on the room and manage their territory.
#5. It’s Their Way of Bonding with You
Although cats are famously independent creatures, they are loving animals and want to bond with their human family members.
While cats may appear to be unfriendly or aloof, those of us who live with cats know that this is a myth. Cats are naturally affectionate and social, but it’s always on their terms.
It’s very common for cats to engage in what is called “pillowing” when it’s time for bed.
Pillowing is when cats use other cats as pillows. If your cat is the only cat in the house, you must be the alternative. Even if there is another cat in the house, you may still be selected as the preferred pillow.
In other words, your cat loves you and wants to spend time with you and be near you.
#6. They Have a Habit of Sitting in Your Lap
Cats are creatures of habit, and when they have a routine, they stick closely to it. If your cat spends a lot of time during the day in your lap, this position is comfortable for them.
When humans are sleeping, our laps aren’t necessarily accessible, but our legs still are. And we don’t know cats to be bashful. They’ll take what they want when they can get it!
#7. They’re Marking and Claiming Their Territory
Cats are naturally territorial creatures, and they typically claim their turf when they mark something (or someone) with their scent. By sleeping on top of you, cats are marking the bed and you as theirs.
If you have other cats in the home, your cats are competing to mark their territory. When a cat marks you or your furniture, this is supposed to serve as a warning to the other cats to stay away.
It’s worth noting that many people get confused and wonder why one cat prefers to lay with them instead of the other. The truth is they both likely want time with you, but one has claimed that territory already, so the other knows not to attempt to steal it.
#8. They Are Comforting You
Animals are incredibly intuitive. We have all experienced being sick and seeing our animals suddenly become much more attentive to us. If your cat senses that you’re feeling unwell or stressed out, they may spend time sleeping on your legs in an effort to comfort you.
Your cat can read your facial expressions and know how to act around you based on the energy and expressions you are providing.
#9. Sometimes It’s Hormonal
Just like us, cats have feel-good hormones like oxytocin, and when they’re near their beloved humans, their nervous systems may release these hormones.
Studies have been performed on cats to measure oxytocin levels in cats before and after they spent time with their owners. The results proved that oxytocin levels were higher after spending time with their human companions. How sweet is that!?
#10. They Want to Get into a Deep Sleep
As we’ve already noted, cats rarely slip into a deep sleep. However, when they’re cuddled up with their humans, cats can let their guard down and get some solid rest. For most cats, there is no safer place in their home than right beside you.
#11. Maybe They Don’t Want Petting
It’s instinctual for humans. When a soft furry animal crawls into our laps, we want to pet them! It’s comforting to both the animals and us. However, sometimes cats don’t want you to pet them.
If your cat alternates between being near your arms and near your legs, there’s a good chance that they want to sleep, and not have your hands all over them while they rest. This doesn’t mean you should stop petting them altogether though!
Just read their body language when you try and remember the golden rule: If your cat leans into it, they like it. If your cat pulls away, they don’t like it.
Other Body Parts Cats Like to Sleep On
Our legs aren’t the only body parts on which our cats love to sleep. The vast majority of the items covered above apply to the below as well. We just provide a bit more color on each specific scenario for your reading pleasure.
Why does my cat sleep on my head?
Your head releases heat when you’re sleeping. Because of this, your cat may like to curl up near your head (or on it!).
Also, your head typically remains still, unless you toss and turn a lot in your sleep.
In some cases, your cats may enjoy the scent that comes from your head and face. They may also take the chance to rub some of their pheromones on you while you’re lying there.
If you wake up to a cat on your head, you may wish the cat would sleep on your legs once again!
Why does my cat sleep on my chest?
Does your cat sleep on your chest? If so, she may be drawn to your body’s sounds like your heartbeat. Your cat sleeps on your chest because it’s warm, it’s safe and secure, your heartbeat is calming, they want to protect you, and they love you! Also, the rhythmic rising and falling of the chest are soothing to your cat.
Cats are soothed by our calm and slow respiratory patterns when we are sleeping. When we are asleep, we are at our calmest, and our cats get to enjoy this calm nature.
Why does my cat sleep on my lap?
When your cat curls up on your lap for a catnap, you can be assured that they want a warm spot and some soft pets.
Your lap also provides similar characteristics to your legs, in that you aren’t shuffling around too much. Also, the view of the room provides your cat with comfort knowing they have a pulse on what’s happening around them.
Why do cats turn their backs to us when they’re sleeping?
Don’t be miffed if your cat turns her back to you when she’s sleeping. If they expose their back to you, that means they trust you!
In fact, your cat may also be attempting to protect you if she turns her back to you. Remember, cats are both prey and predator, so they want to have the safest position possible. When they have their backs to you, they are watching out for both you and themselves.
Should You Allow Your Cat to Sleep with You?
Whether or not you allow your pets to sleep with you is a personal choice. However, it’s important to remember that to function at your best, you need a solid seven to eight hours of sleep every night. And if I’m being honest — my cats don’t allow for that kind of quality sleep.
If your cat interrupts your sleep or keeps you awake, it may be best for the entire family to maintain their own private sleeping quarters. With that said, there are some good reasons to allow your cat to sleep with you if that’s what you want.
Pros of allowing your cat to sleep with you
Here are the benefits of allowing your cat to sleep with you:
- Bonding. When you’re away from the home during the day, nighttime may be the only time you have to bond with your cat.
- Stress relief. Both you and your cat will benefit from the stress relief provided by co-sleeping.
- Warmth and coziness. There is certainly some coziness and warmth to be had from sharing a bed with a furry sleeping partner.
Cons of allowing your cat to sleep with you
While there are benefits to sleeping with your cat, there are definitely some downsides as well:
- Sleep disturbance. The most obvious downside to having an animal sleep with you is that your sleep may be disturbed. Cats tend to walk on heads to get where they need to go.
- Discomfort. Depending on which part of your body your cat likes to sleep on, it can be uncomfortable or bothersome to you, especially if you have a big cat.
- Hygiene. Outdoor cats can carry diseases and pests like fleas, and indoor cats can track litter from their litter box into your bed.
- Allergies. If you have cat allergies, inhaling their dander while you’re sleeping can be unhealthy for you.
Conclusion
Why does my cat sleep on my legs? As you can tell from the above — there are quite a few reasons why! Here’s a great video that explains some of the most common sleeping positions for cats.