Anyone who has animals sharing their living quarters will proudly state that they are not pet owners; they are animal parents.
These “fur” babies require routine and proper care, but some would rather be left to their own devices—cats, especially. That is until they need food, water, and attention, which is when they might crawl onto your chest.
There are several reasons why a cat will sit on your chest in bed, but the most common answer is that cats are extremely territorial. They are known to stake their claim on chairs or warm spots in a windowsill. Most likely, they are claiming their territory, which happens to be their owner.
From a cat parent’s perspective, these furry companions often display some unusual habits which at first may be annoying, but these are merely the animal’s way of expressing how they feel at the moment.
Our own cats love to sit on our chests in bed, especially after they’ve just had their breakfast.
Read on for a more well-rounded understanding of why your cat is likely sitting on your chest in bed.
A Cat Sits On Your Chest To Bond
There may be mornings when you wake up to either your cat’s butt in your face or their face only inches away from your nose as they study you intently.
You might even be woken up in the middle of the night because your cat chose to bathe your lips with an abrasive tongue. This is because your cat is bonding with you while you both sleep.
It is not uncommon for a cat to want to bond with its respective human. Usually, their emotional states are base collections, including:
- Fright or fight
- Hungry or picky
- Contented and sleepy
Still, a cat needs those special sharing moments between their human and themselves.
You are their human and ultimately is their sole property, which means they can bond whenever the urge strikes them.
A Cat Sits On Your Chest To Relieve Stress
It is a given reality that, at some point, your cat will purr.
Most times, they are purring because they are relaxed and content; enjoying a moment of bliss and harmony. However, purring also acts like a cat’s chill pill.
Purring is a method of self-soothing when they are not feeling right with the world during those times when they have experienced a stressful situation.
There are two reasons a cat will often sit on your chest when you lie down:
- It can sense your heartbeat.
- It can feel your body heat.
The steady rhythm of your heart beating is amazingly similar to a cat’s own set of rhythmic vocalizations. The warmth of your body coupled with the steady beat of your heart is just what your cat needs to cope with the rigors of the day.
Unfortunately for your cat, your chest rising and falling while you breathe is a little disconcerting for them. When your cat curls up for a snooze, the last thing the cat wants is the consistent up and down motion as you breathe. Eventually, your cat will abandon the position on your chest for a more motionless place to finish its nap.
If they finally vacate their position, allowing you to breathe a long sigh of relief, be aware your furry companion probably will not go far away. Your cat probably is not finished utilizing the comfort of your body heat.
Sometimes it means instead of remaining on your chest, your cat is going to stretch out against your side. You now have a patch of heat pasted to your body.
During summertime, this may not be the comfort you were looking for when you try to sleep, but for your cat, enjoying your body heat is what they want. If you have a fan in your bedroom, you may want to consider turning it up a notch or two.
Your Cat Wants Protection Or Likes How You Smell
While it may be a domesticated animal, your house cat still has instincts it gains at birth.
The constant fear of unseen predators can often make it nervous and fidgety. Persistent fears of predators may put them on your chest because they know your chest is the safest landscape in the house.
Once there, they can sleep with both eyes closed instead of one. They do not need to worry about something sneaking up on them during their nap because their human will take care of business if something tries.
A cat sitting on your chest may be their way of feeling safe, but it might be that they also like the way you smell.
- A cat’s olfactory senses are acute.
- Animals often communicate with their humans and other animals via scents.
- Think of marking their territory to warn other animals to steer clear.
Just as smells can trigger fond memories in humans, cats experience the same sensations.
When seeking their version of creature comfort, your cat may seek out the comfortable scent of your body or clothing.
A Cat Sits On Your Chest To Share The Love
Aside from staking claim to their human, a cat may choose to sit on your chest because they are really into you.
Although animals may not think or act like we humans, they often form emotional attachments with their humans.
The basic fact that you nurture them and provide nourishment leads them to connect with you quickly. A positive interaction between you and your pet helps the cat adopt a sense of security and comfort, leading to a contented and happy pet.
Although cats demonstrate some pretty quirky behaviors, they are generally low maintenance. They prefer to groom themselves, frequently bathing themselves and offering their owners a view of how long their back claws are when they gnaw at them with their teeth.
They choose to eat and drink at their leisure when the food and water bowls permit it.
However, they realize that you perform the following tasks for them:
- You feed them.
- You water them.
- You comfort them when they do not feel well.
When it comes to holding cats, they may allow it for a moment, but after a minute or so, they are more likely to struggle to gain their freedom.
If you understand how they wish to cohabitate, you and your cat can enjoy stress-free days together.
If you are not sure exactly what your cat wants or needs, do not worry, domestic cats know how to communicate with you.
Cats Let You Know When They Want Something
It may be a loud wail that decalcifies your spine or a gentle mewing and interweaving between your legs while you stand or try to walk around the house. A cat will be patient with you as long as you exhibit the same behavior with them.
As most cats have a lifespan of almost two decades, you will have plenty of time to understand what their quirks are telling you.
Here are a few tips to help you hang with your cat:
- Whatever gets your immediate attention works for them.
- They cannot speak to you in your native tongue, and they do not understand what you are saying to them. They may understand the tone of your voice, but not the words.
- Whether it is curled up on your chest, following everywhere you go in the house or taking a swipe at your ankles as you walk by, a cat instinctively understands what it needs to do to make itself happy.
Helping your cat stay healthy and happy is, of course, up to both your cat and you, but there is one other thing that is entirely up to the parent, and that’s routine trips to the vet.
Yes, it is likely to hurt you more than your cat, but in time both of you will get over the trauma.
Remember to take your cat to the vet, allow it to cuddle up with you on your chest, and love it for all it is worth, and you and your cat will have years of beautiful moments to spend together.
Conclusion
You are probably used to your cat curling up on your chest.
For most pet parents, this is a common occurrence and a welcome one.
Still, you might have wondered, until now, what caused this behavior. Aside from claiming your chest and the rest of you as sovereign territory, a cat has many other reasons for curling up on your chest when you lay down.