Content
- Reason #1: A Matter of Survival
- Reason #2: Protection
- Reason #3: The alarm clock and the routine
- Reason #4: Belong to the same social group
- Reason #5: Cats are very territorial
We all know that almost all cats like to sleep with tutors. There are several reasons for this behavior. If you have a feline companion at home, it is important that you know these reasons.
If you've ever wondered why the cats like to sleep on their feet and I would like to know the reasons for this feline habit, read this article by PeritoAnimal to understand why cats like to sleep with the people they live with so much!
Reason #1: A Matter of Survival
Adults weighing less than 40 kg are rare. Assuming the average weight of an adult cat is between 3 and 4 kg (except the Maine coon, Ashera and other large and heavy breeds), this means that our cats are sleeping with a being that weighs at least 10 to 13 times more than him.
Consequently, since cats are extremely intelligent and intend to survive sudden nocturnal turns of the human sleeping next to him, it is obvious that he is placed in a place where the human's weight is lighter and he has more chances to escape. In other words, choose to sleep beside our feet.
This habit of placing themselves close to the body extremities (head or feet), appears when cats are already adults. When they were still puppies, they preferred to be close to the chest of the person they slept with. In this way, they felt the heartbeat that reminded them of the breastfeeding stage when they slept with Mom.
After being "crushed" unintentionally on more than one occasion by the human companion who turns during the night, cats conclude that it is less dangerous to sleep at head or foot height.
Reason #2: Protection
Cats are aware that when they sleep they are less alert. For this reason, if they sleep with their tutor and suddenly hear something suspicious, they don't hesitate to wake up their favorite human to warn of danger and to mutually protect. Another typical characteristic of cats is that they like to sleep with their back against something. In this way, they ensure that their backs are protected and feel more secure.
Reason #3: The alarm clock and the routine
How many of us have happened to run out of battery on our cell phone and not ring the alarm clock? It has probably already happened to millions of human beings on earth.
Fortunately, if our cat is on duty at our feet, as soon as he realizes we're not waking up, he'll run into our face and rub and meow until we're awake once and for all.
Cats are very organized beings that like routine and hate unpleasant surprises. For this reason, try to wake us up to ensure that we face our usual daily journey. On the other hand, if he sees that you've stayed in bed because you're sick, he won't hesitate to be with you all day to keep you company.
Reason #4: Belong to the same social group
cats are territorial, exclusive and sociable.
Their territory is our home, to the very last corner. For this reason, from puppies, they are dedicated to patrolling and exploring our home to the smallest corner. It is normal for animals to know their space perfectly. In the case of cats, they are well aware that this is their territory.
In a family with several members, the most common thing is for the cat to like everyone. However, there will always be a favorite to which the cat will be more affectionate than the others. It is with this person that the cat will sleep, right next to the feet.
The cat's sociability is revealed by its affectionate and affectionate attitudes towards all family members, which are its social group. Therefore, well-bred cats (most are), show empathy with all members of the family. The cat plays, lets them caressed and communicates with everyone at home. You can even snooze next to someone on the couch or lie on top of grandma's legs while she watches television. But sleeping at the foot of the bed will be exclusively with the human with whom you feel most secure.
Reason #5: Cats are very territorial
We believe that cats sleep at our feet because they love us and need our company. In some cases this is the reason. But in reality, we are the ones who sleep with the cat's four legs according to the feline mentality. We live in their territory and he distinguishes us from other humans by letting us sleep beside him, we are the chosen ones.
In addition to cats inviting us to sleep with them, they show their affection or trust by licking us. They lick themselves to straighten their fur and wash themselves. If our cat licks us it is showing that we are one of "his" and that's why it's cleaning us up, it's because it trusts us.
When we bring a new pet home, especially if it's another cat, our first cat may have tremendous disgust and consider our attitude to be unreasonable and for a few days may be resentful and not sleep with us. But time heals everything.
