Cats have a reputation for seeking out cozy and comfy spots for their numerous naps, and your pillow is often one of their chosen locales. There are several reasons your cat might find your pillow irresistible, including the warmth, your scent, the height it provides, and the comfort and security associated with being close to you. Below we’ll take an in-depth look at why your feline friend prefers your pillow over their own sleep space.
Comfort and Warmth
The simple answer might be that your pillow is comfortable! Cats love soft, plush surfaces, and your pillow undoubtedly provides a level of comfort that is hard to beat. It cradles their bodies and often has the perfect amount of give for a satisfying nap. In addition to the physical comfort, your pillow holds warmth. Cats have a higher body temperature than humans, and they seek out warm places to help maintain that. The material of your pillow, along with the heat from your head that lingers even when you’re not using it, makes it a warm spot that’s appealing to your furry companion.
Scents and Familiarity
Cats rely heavily on scent to understand their environment. Your pillow smells like you, and this can be very comforting to your cat. For cats, the scent of their owner is synonymous with safety and security. This familiar smell might make them feel like they are close to you, and they may sleep on your pillow to revel in that sense of closeness, especially when you’re not around. This scent-soaked space reassures them that they are in a secure and known territory, which is fundamentally important for cats to feel relaxed.
Your Pillow as a Prime Location
The location of your pillow on your bed can also offer strategic advantages to your cat. Height gives them a vantage point to survey their area and feel secure from potential threats. Also, being on the bed and pillow might mean they are less likely to be disturbed by other pets, people, or general household activity. Essentially, they choose the high ground for both comfort and the tactical benefits.
The Height Factor
Being elevated from the ground is a preference for many cats. A higher position provides a sense of security and protection as they rest. The pillow, especially when on a bed, offers an elevated spot where they can relax yet stay alert to movements or sounds around them. In the wild, cats might choose a tree branch or a rocky outcropping for naps for similar reasons. While your cat may not be fending off predators in your home, the instinct persists.
The Tactical Edge
By choosing a high spot like your pillow, cats may feel they have a tactical advantage. The elevation offers them a better viewing angle to keep an eye on possible threats or simply monitor the comings and goings within your home. Their position atop the pillow may allow them to notice someone approaching and wake up if necessary to move or defend their spot.
Desire for Affection
Your cat might also be sleeping on your pillow to be closer to you. Cats are often misunderstood as solitary creatures, but they can form strong bonds with their human companions and crave affection and contact. Sleeping on your pillow keeps them near your face, where they can easily nuzzle or paw at you for cuddles and pets. The close proximity throughout the night provides them with the comfort of your presence.
Signs of Trust
Choosing to sleep so close to you is a sign of trust from your cat. If they feel comfortable enough to lower their guard and go to sleep, this indicates they trust you and feel secure with you. It’s a sign that you have a good relationship with your kitty, and it’s their way of showing love and trust.
Establishing Territory
Cats are territorial animals, and your bed—and by extension, your pillow—can be seen as prime real estate in your home. By regularly sleeping on your pillow, your cat is depositing their scent, further establishing that space as part of their domain. They have scent glands in their cheeks and paws, which release pheromones that mark territory in a way that’s reassuring and calming to the cat. Over time, your pillow becomes an area that smells strongly of both you and your pet, further reinforcing your bond and their sense of belonging.
A Warm Welcome for You
Your cat’s presence on your pillow might even be their way of offering comfort to you. As creatures of habit, if they’ve observed that you seem happier or more relaxed with them around, they might take to resting on your pillow to provide you with a warm welcome when you lie down to rest.
Comfort and Your Health
Although it’s charming that your cat wants to be close to you, there are times when you might need to encourage them to sleep elsewhere, particularly if you have allergies or find your sleep disturbed. Making their alternative sleep space just as appealing is key. Providing a warm, comfortable bed with a blanket that carries your scent can do wonders. Consistency and positive reinforcement will also help in establishing that bed as their new favorite nap spot.
Creating an Inviting Space
Place the new bed in a quiet, secure location, which still allows them to be close to you, perhaps next to your own bed. You might heat the space with a safe pet-approved heating pad and include some of your previously worn clothing to impart your scent. Over time, with encouragement and patience, you might find that your cat begins to prefer their new space—although they could still visit your pillow for occasional cuddle sessions.
Finishing Thoughts
Our feline friends have a charming way of making our lives more interesting, and their preference for our pillows is just one of the many behaviors that endear them to us. Understanding the reasons behind their choices, whether it’s for comfort, warmth, affection, elevated views, or territorial claims, can help us appreciate and better accommodate their instinctual needs. Remember that as much as your cat enjoys your pillow, creating a dedicated and equally appealing sleep spot for them is beneficial to their comfort and your peaceful night’s rest. By considering your cat’s behavior from their perspective, you strengthen the bond between you and ensure both you and your furry companion experience the best quality sleep possible.
