Why Does My Cat Lay on My Chest?

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Carol has worked in specialty, emergency, mixed animal and general veterinary practices, and enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine. Her special areas of interest include anesthesia, critical care, emergency, dentistry, internal medicine and small animal nutrition.

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Updated on: 09/13/2021

Many cat owners are used to the fact that at times their feline friends love to cuddle and lay on their chests. You have probably experienced your fluffy friend getting comfortable on your chest or stomach while sitting on the couch, or sleeping in bed at night. They might purr, circle a few times and settle down on your upper body like you are some sort of lounge chair or human pillow.

You may not know it, but there may be several reasons why your kitty likes to get comfy on your chest, and some of these reasons might surprise you.

Reasons Why Your Cat Likes to Lay on Your Chest

There are several reasons why your feline friend likes to curl up on your chest, and these include the following.

1. They Simply Love You

First of all, if your cat loves you, he’ll want to spend time with you. Cuddling and snuggling up to you and choosing a perch on your chest can be a way in which your kitty shows affection. If you work full-time out of the home, you are probably gone most of the day, and when you get home, your cat may welcome you by getting cuddly, rubbing up against you, and jumping onto your chest. This way, they showing you affection and how happy he is to have you home.

READ MORE: Signs Your Cat Loves You

2. They Like the Way You Smell

Cats are naturally smell-driven, and a variety of scents can get their attention. You may notice that when you are preparing a salmon dinner or opening a can of tuna, that your cat will come running from some far corner of the house, nose twitching and hopeful that you might share a morsel or two. But it’s not just food smells, your cat might just think that you smell good, and may want to get comfy and be close to you. Unlike humans, felines have a very acute sense of smell, and can probably identify their owners by scent.

3. They Looking for a Warm Place

Cats love to nap and get comfy in warm places, and this could include your chest or your lap. Felines can increase their body temperature by snuggling up to you and sharing in your body heat. For example, cats love to curl up next to the window and soak up the sun’s rays, and because they like to nap in warm places, why not your chest? Especially on cold winter nights, your cat may like nothing better than curling up on your chest to keep warm and cozy.

4. Your Kitty Likes Your Soothing Heartbeat

Many mammals like to sleep together, and in some cases, the heartbeat of a sleeping buddy can be calming. The rhythm of a heartbeat and relaxed breathing can be almost hypnotizing to a cat and offer some needed relaxation time. The natural sounds of your body may be soothing to your kitty when he’s resting on top of you, and the steady rhythm of your heartbeat may be something that can lull your cat to sleep as well. When you are asleep or resting, the quiet, regular sounds of your body can be quite relaxing to your feline friend.

Photo by Humberto Arellano on Unsplash

5. Your Kitty is Claiming “Rights” to You

Cats can be very affectionate and gregarious, and by sleeping on your chest, they could be telling you that he is claiming you, and wants to bond with you. Contrary to popular belief, felines are social creatures and seek companionship and comfort. Many felines engage in “pillowing” at bedtime, where they use another pet or you as a pillow.

They also like to “bake bread,” by using their front paws to “knead” a puffy blanket, your chest, or your lap. This way, your cat establishes a bond and strengthens that bond by getting close to you and eventually settling down to sleep on your chest. In a way, your kitty is saying, “I claim you, and I want to be with you.” Besides, who wouldn’t enjoy a bit of feline affection and cuddling at the end of a long day.

6. Looking for Security or Comfort

They are programmed to look for safe places to escape during the day or night to rest, and in the home, you might be that safe place. Although felines are prey animals, they are still naturally on the alert for potential danger or predators, and being around their humans offers them security and comfort. Also, when a cat is sleeping, he is vulnerable because he’s not on guard. By sleeping on your chest, your pet can feel protected and free of danger.

Young kittens sleep with their littermates to feel safe and secure, and adult kitties are no exception. When your feline friend is looking for a place to rest, sleeping on your chest offers a safe and familiar place.

7. Hormones

We know that the feel-good hormone oxytocin is released when mammals cuddle each other, and when mothers nurse their young. This hormone seeks to strengthen social as well as biological bonds. Research has shown that dogs release oxytocin when they are together with their owners, but we don’t know for sure if it’s the same for cats. However, one thing is for sure, cuddling with your fuzzy feline friend after a stressful day cannot hurt.

8. They Being Territorial

Cats are also naturally territorial creatures, and they tend to stake their claim to certain things by marking them with their scent. For example, cats mark objects by rubbing against them to leave their scent. So if your kitty feels snuggly, and wants to cuddle up on your chest, he may just be marking you and claiming you. Think of it as your feline friend is telling you “you’re mine,” or “you belong to me.”

9. Your Chest is a Comfortable Place to Sleep

Another reason why your cat may like to take a long nap on your chest is that it just might be comfortable. In addition to seeking warmth and companionship, cats are great at finding snug places to rest and nap, and if you have a particularly comfortable chest, your cat might want to take up residence there for a little nap.

Should I Let My Cat Sleep with Me?

Many cat owners may ask themselves if it’s OK to let their pet sleep with them, and this may be of particular concern with toddlers or small children. The answer depends on you and your cat, and whether or not you have any existing medical conditions. If you have asthma or an allergy to cats, letting your feline friend sleep with you may not be the best idea.

However, if you can sleep comfortably with your kitty without any discomfort and breathing difficulties, then, by all means, get comfy for a good night’s sleep.

READ MORE: Best Cat Beds

Why Should I Let My Cat Sleep with Me?

The answer to this question depends on you and your cat. Most cat owners enjoy spending time with their cats, and cuddling and petting your cat can be soothing and create a strong bond between you and your feline pal.

If you like to sleep with your furry friend, by all means, let your cat sleep with you, as long as you are both comfortable and can get a good night’s rest. It is important to know that most cats don’t sleep through the night, but get up on occasion to wander around; this is normal for them, and you may notice your fluffy buddy is missing from your pillow for a few hours.

Photo by @myoceanstudio from Freepik

Why Should I Not Let My Cat Sleep with Me?

If you have a medical condition, such as asthma, sleep apnea, or an allergy to cat dander ^[2], you may want to re-think sleeping with your feline friend. If you have such a condition, the cat dander and fur may impair normal respiratory function during the wee hours. If you have any questions, consult your medical professional for advice.

FAQs

Why Does My Cat Lay on My Chest When I Sleep?

Cats sleep a lot, up to 15 hours a day, but not all at once. They sleep for an hour or two at a time, then may walk around and play for a bit, before taking another “cat nap.” Since kitties love to sleep, they are always looking for a comfortable spot to catch a few winks. Comfy spots may include your pillow, your chest, a puffy blanket, a laundry basket, or your chest.

Why Does My Cat Lay on My Chest and Purr?

As mentioned above, cats love to cuddle with their humans, and purring comes naturally to cats when they are bonding with us. In many cases, cats purr when they are nursing, grooming, relaxing, and feeling friendly, and this also includes when they are cuddling up to you on your chest. Your cat may just be showing you that he is relaxed, happy, and content to be with you.

Why Does My Cat Sit on My Chest and Stare at Me?

Unless you are a Stephen King fan, the fact that your cat may sit on your chest and stare at you may mean that he simply is enjoying your company. It might also mean that he may want something, for example, breakfast. Felines are very adept at letting us know when they are hungry, or when they want something, and sitting on your chest to get your attention is one way to communicate this. Or it could be that your cat is simply enjoying being with you and looking at you with adoration.

Do Cats Sit on Your Chest to Heal You?

Some owners may feel relaxed when their cats sit on their chests, and might even view it as stress-relieving. It’s no secret that a purring, cuddly cat can help us calm down and relax after a trying day, and in this way, we could say that cats have “healing powers.” Some people may do yoga, meditation, or other things to relax and de-stress, and others may just want to cuddle with their kitties to heal and re-charge.

Research has shown that cuddling with a pet can help destress and reduce heart rate in people. One study ^[1] found that subjects who interacted with cats and dogs for just 10 minutes had a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone in humans and other mammals.

Why Does My Cat Like to “Make Bread?”

Cats often make a rhythmic motion with their front paws, pressing in and out, as they get comfortable on your lap or chest.

This is known as “making bread,” or “kneading,” and gets its name because it’s a lot like a baker working bread dough. Cats use a pushing motion with their paws when they do this, alternating each paw. Wild felines such as lions or cougars will make nests on the ground each night for sleeping, and kneading the area helps to tamp down grass and brush before lying down.

Why Does My Cat Sleep With His Back to Me?

Some cats may like to sleep on your chest with their backsides turned towards your head. This may seem a bit rude, and having your feline friend’s derriere in your face can be something less than pleasant. However, your kitty really isn’t being unmannerly, it’s just that he’s showing you he trusts you and feels safe. Cats prefer to position themselves in safe places, and if your kitty turns his backside towards your face, it shows that he has confidence in you and might be on the lookout for potential threats or danger.

Article Sources:

“Stress Reduction Benefits from Petting Dogs, Cats.” ScienceDaily, 15 July 2019, sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190715114302.htm.
Noertjojo, Kukuh, et al. “Exposure and Sensitization to Cat Dander: Asthma and Asthma-like Symptoms among Adults.” ScienceDirect, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674999705269.