Why cats lie down on people and purr

Owners of fluffy purrs are unlikely to refuse at least once to fall asleep stroking their favorite pet. But often spending the night with a cat in the same bed can turn into a number of troubles. For example, sleep studies theorize that lovers of sleep with pets markedly worsens the quality of sleep. Because of this decreases the effectiveness of rest time. This is because cats by nature are nocturnal animals and can rarely sleep next to their owners until the morning.

Why cats lie down and purr on their owners.

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Why does a cat lie down on a person?

Many people know that cats are creatures quite mysterious and unique. They are adored by adults and children, successful businessmen and humble teachers. Some people love to play with cheerful and fluffy cats, while others love to hold them on their laps and stroke them. What can I say, we love cats.

But why does a cat lie down on a person? The seemingly simple question has excited many people, as evidenced by the posts at the Murhappy Project. The Murhappy shelter team will help you find the answer to why this happens.

We have tried to gather the main existing theories and explain why a cat actually lays down on a person.

The most common one is that the cat is trying to heal the person. They lie down on their diseased organs and warm them up. It is believed that the energy of animals is very powerful, so that they are really able to detect a sore spot in a person and lie down on it.

• More than once, owners have discovered that the animal stubbornly lies down on the place where the diseased organ is located (for example, if you suffer from gastritis, it will constantly lie down in the area of the stomach).
• After lying down for a long time, the animal may leave (or it can be driven away by the owner himself), but after that the pain, at least for a while, recedes. Pets are effective in treating muscle or joint pain, stomach or heart pain, and help with migraines.

Answer "MooMUrkoshi." Cats so accurately guess the location of a diseased organ because the temperature of the inflamed tissues is slightly higher than the temperature of the rest. Given also that most important organs are located around the torso, the cat can choose to simply rest in a comfortable and warm place, accidentally finding itself in the right place at the right time. On the other hand, a person's emotional state does affect the severity of discomfort, so the pleasant company of a beloved pet provides symptomatic therapy in the form of pain reduction.

Why cats lie down to sleep on top of people

Where do cats like to sleep and lie down? Oh yes, they can rest anywhere: on a cold floor in the heat or near a working heater in the cold, on a bookcase or a bookcase, under a sofa, in an armchair or a chair, on a window sill and so on. And many cats also choose their owner's body as a kind of laying bed. Let's understand why pets like to lie on their owners.

In short, cats and cats like to sleep on people, simply because it is comfortable for them. More specifically, here are the eleven most common reasons for this feline choice:

• If it's chilly in the house, cats lie down to sleep on humans to warm themselves with the warmth of their bodies. In other words, they use their owner as a living warmer. Near a fiery radiator, as well as near a fireplace or a heater, the animal may be hot, but on the belly or, for example, on the chest of the owner is moderately warm and pleasant. It's also soft enough;
• The pet wants tactile contact with the owner. Many cats lie down on humans when they suffer from attention deficits. Today's busy people, unfortunately, sometimes do not have time for themselves (work-preparation-cleaning-children and so on.), so to say about communication with the cat. But we can't explain to our pets that by the end of the day we just don't have energy left for playing and socializing. And that's why whiskers feel abandoned and unnecessary. Laying down close to the owner, they desperately beg for affection and attention;
• A pet lies down on your chest when it wants to feel the steady and soothing beat of your heart.. Many cats consider their owner's chest area to be the safest place on Earth. Moreover, an animal may come to bed to its owner not every day, but only in exceptional cases, for example, when it is afraid of something (say, the explosion of a firecracker or the roar of an ambulance siren);
• A cat will lie down on a human and purr to express all its love and affection.. Although cats are often blamed for their natural coldness and independence, they love to spend time next to their owners, singing in their ears. And we should say that no cat will lie down on the person it does not love. What is certainly not in the domestic small carnivores, it is hypocrisy;
• Many Murkies and Murziks are real possessive .. And they are sometimes very uncomfortable with the fact that someone else may have the right to communicate with their adored owner (simply put, they are jealous of the owner to others). That is why a cat often lies down on a person, driving away family members and other pets that live in the house. In this way, the purr as if it wants to tell its owner: "After all, I am your best friend, don't pay attention to anyone else." But the animal not only "reserves" a place on the host's body, but it also tags it, leaving the secret of sweat glands on human skin or clothes, located on the pads of legs (not to be confused with tags of urine!);
• A cat sleeps on its owner's body or next to a human as a guard. Some people think that dogs can protect their owners, but cats sleep in a secluded corner and keep quiet, and sometimes catch mice. However, there are cats and cats with a dominant and courageous character who consider it their duty to protect their owners and their homes from trouble. By lying on its owner's chest (as well as on the legs, in the headboard, on the stomach or back, etc.), the cat not only rests and naps, but also protects him from any problems;

Purr – a sign of peace and not only

Many of us think that once the cat purrs, everything is fine. But, unfortunately, these uterine sounds – it is not always a sign of pleasure or satiety. Let's see in what cases you can hear a cat purr:

1. Proprietary purr – If a cat walks with its front paws and purrs, you can suspect that the animal tags the owner in a peculiar way, letting the man know that the main thing in the house – His Majesty the Cat;
2. Purr as a sign of pleasure from communicating with humans – Almost all cats purr when being petted, but abruptly stop doing it when the owner's touch bores them;
3. purring as an attempt to help itself – Sometimes a cat purrs like a tractor when it is in pain. For example, a pet can purr while licking its wounds after a collision with a neighbor's dog. A cat may purr if it has suffered a fracture caused by a fall from a height, if it is giving birth or if any chronic ailments exacerbate. Sadly, animals sometimes purr even before they die, perhaps in an attempt to calm themselves;
4. Humming as a calm signal for kittens – if you watch a lactating cat and its cubs you may notice that the cat ruffles its paws and purrs when the kittens are sucking its milk. Grunting at such times is necessary to make the babies feel safe;
5. Purring as a sign of peaceful disposition – Sometimes cats may purr to each other. They do this to demonstrate friendliness to other individuals;
6. Purring as an accompaniment to sweet dozing – Cats cannot purr while sleeping, but they can purr during their rest and dozing. Especially in those situations when a tasty dinner has been eaten and nothing around is threatening;
7. Grumbling as anticipation of something good – Our pets begin to purr when they sense that something pleasant or tasty is waiting for them. So, a cat can easily start to "sing" loudly if he sees the owner sitting down in an armchair (it's time not just to watch TV, but also to pet the cat!). Or you can hear the animal purring when it sees and senses that the owner has started to cut up fish or meat in the kitchen;
8. Purring as an attempt to cure the owner – many owners know that cats can anticipate a person's mood and can sense when a person is not feeling well. For example, if the cat owner has a heart pain, the pet can easily lie down on his chest and start purring and rumbling. This is how the cat tries to help the owner cope with pain.

Cat purring is the real sound therapy.

We have already mentioned that cats often lie down on the sore spot of their owners and begin to purr. An animal can, for example, lie down on its owner's feet if they "whine" about the weather. Or even lie down on the head when the owner is suffering from a migraine. What does it mean, can pets really heal? It turns out that the purring of cats is therapeutic sound therapy.

Quiet and measured sound soothes frayed nerves no worse than the noise of the rain, or the sound of a babbling brook. Experts-felinologists believe that cats with the help of special sounds of purring can cure such ailments:

• Bone fractures, joint and muscle pain;
• Nervous disorders (depression, stress);
• Decreased immunity;
• Arterial hypertension;
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• Various inflammatory processes;
• Diseases of the stomach and/or intestines;
• Respiratory ailments.

Even though rumbling sounds help relieve, for example, joint pains or lower blood pressure, such sound therapy cannot be considered a full-fledged treatment and will still require the assistance of a doctor. However, the same fatigue and nervousness cat rumbling combats quite well.

What does the desire of cats to sleep on people say: folk beliefs and opinions of scientists

Cats from ancient times attributed unusual origin and properties, treated these animals with reverence and even worshipped them. In our days, furry animals also enjoy the constant love of both children and adults.

Despite their willful and independent character, domestic cats will never refuse to purr on the lap or stomach of the owner. And it happens so that the pet regularly climbs into bed with one of the household and sleeps next to him.

There are many explanations for this predilection of tailed pets, from superstitious speculations to scientifically proven opinions.

If a cat lies down on its owner's stomach and falls asleep there, it often indicates that the animal wants to get warm. And the pet chooses a warmer place for this purpose. And the human body is also good because you can comfortably sit on it.

Cats, like ultrasound machines, can "discern" the new life in a woman's belly

Folk omens associate the desire of cats to sleep on the human stomach with the "healing abilities" of fluffy friends, especially if the animal regularly lays down on the same place on the body. So you need to listen to your intuition and inner feelings. After all, it can also happen that a pet "anticipates" the appearance of an ailment.

In addition, representatives of the cat family are famous for the ability to sense bad moods and stressful human condition. It is believed that sleeping on the stomach in the solar plexus area is able to cure depression and moping.

Separately worth mentioning are superstitions associated with pregnancy. For a long time it has been believed that a cat will sit on the woman's belly and rub its paws over it in case of the birth of a new life inside the expectant mother.

Do cats really heal by lying on top of people?

Cats' ability to relieve pain and stabilize human health stands apart.

Thus, the popular rumor attributed to pets the ability to heal from sciatica and osteochondrosis, normalize blood pressure and help in the rapid healing of wounds. Moreover, white cats have the greatest therapeutic power, and red beauties energize with vivacity and energy. Gray cats have a calming "effect. And black cats are valued for their ability to "take away" negative energy from the diseased body.

There is no consensus among scientists on this matter. Most zoologists find no confirmation of folk beliefs about the special effect of furry friends on human diseases. However, there are scientists who see in communicating with cats an undoubted benefit for human health.

Studies conducted by the National University of therapeutic Exposure in Great Britain have justified rumors related to the healing effects of felines on humans. So, it was found out that tailed pets produce a magnetic field comparable in strength to the radiation of medical equipment. Due to this property, the prolonged human interaction with their pet owner strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

American scientists also conducted an experiment involving ten thousand volunteers. During the study, the zoologists found a direct impact of communication with cats on the high life expectancy of owners of purrs in almost 70% of cases.

Benefits and harms of co-sleeping with a pet

• Falling asleep next to a person, the cat feels a connection with him, enjoys the closeness and communication. Spending time together strengthens contact with your pet, increases his affection and trust in his owner.
• Warmth, soft fur and purring help relieve stress and relaxation, accelerate falling asleep and improve sleep quality. If you are very tired or experiencing negative emotions, cozy companionship will help lift your spirits and rest well.
• Near a pet reduces feelings of loneliness, even for people who live alone all the time. Waking up next to a cat will seem more pleasant even at the earliest hour.

• Litter from the floor, parasites and bacteria can get on the bed with the pet. It is not a good idea to let an outdoor cat on the bed: licking its hair will not get rid of dust and dirt. Even cats that live at home all the time need vaccinations, treatments for parasites, and regular washing. After all, you can bring an infection or insect and parasite eggs on outdoor shoes and clothes. A healthy pet can carry diseases that are dangerous to humans.
• Even the friendliest and most affectionate cat can scratch inadvertently. Therefore, it is best to keep the pet's paws away from your face.
• The hair gets in your mouth and nose, causing discomfort. In addition, dust, particles of household chemicals, food, litter box contents, plant pollen, protein from the cat's saliva and other allergens are deposited on it. All of these can cause a reaction in the body and lead to illness. Using Purina ONE food
• helps reduce the amount of allergens in his saliva. But people with allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases, with reduced immunity, young children should not sleep in the same bed with a cat.
• Periods of sleep and wakefulness of cats are very different from those of humans. When they wake up in the middle of the night they may want to play, eat or make a lot of noise licking. It is advisable to teach them not to disturb you at night from an early age. However, even a well-mannered pet will wake up, leave the bed and come back again, and he just might sleep restlessly. If your four-legged friend's nocturnal activity bothers you, get him used to sleeping separately from childhood. Another solution is to give him a place to sleep in the corner of the bed where you won't be disturbed.
• Sleeping next to a person is not always safe for the cat. There is a risk of accidentally crushing and even injuring the animal, especially a small kitten. Teach it not to nestle under your side.

Is it allowed to sleep together with a cat?

A good quality sleep requires the highest level of comfort. A cat nestling in here and there is definitely not good for that. And impudent lounging on the owner, a pet sometimes certainly interferes. Besides cats, although they are extremely clean, carry some infectious diseases (toxoplasmosis) and just drag the dirt on their paws.

Therefore, at least for hygiene reasons, it is better to give the pet its own sleeping place. This can be a basket with a soft mattress, a house, a cot, etc. There are even special heated mats for especially cold feline individuals.

To prevent the cat from sleeping on the owner, you can buy a heated rug for it.

If such a tandem is convenient and comfortable for everyone, then there is nothing dangerous in sleeping next to the cat. But it is necessary to adhere to some rules:

It is highly discouraged to allow cats in bed with young children.

It is not so important what guides the cat coming to the person in bed. After all it is not possible to check any of the versions. Much nicer to believe that the soft furry friend climbs into bed purely out of love and devotion, and not out of matrimonial feline considerations.

What is a "milk step" and where does it come from

The movement of the front paws, accompanied by purring, is most often associated with childhood memories. It is called the "milk step". Kittens use this peculiar massage to knead their mother's mammary glands. It stimulates the production of milk and allows the baby to have a solid meal.

The feeling of fullness and security "under the wing" of the mother cat brings very pleasant emotions, so many animals keep this habit even in adulthood.

Why cats wrinkle their paws

All existing reasons explaining why cats wrinkle their paws are divided into instinctive and conscious. The former include:

In contrast to instinctive, conscious reasons are explained by a real desire for the act of trampling. They include:

Below you can become acquainted with all of the above in more detail.

Memories of a protected childhood.

Pawing at a human after a hearty meal or petting is a sign of gratitude, love and trust. After separation from the mother, her role is taken over by the owner, as he is responsible for the nourishment and protection of his pet.

At the moment of stomping, some animals manage to suck a human finger or other body parts, munching with their eyes closed in pleasure.

Sometimes similar actions are performed on soft things: plaid or large plush toys. Such "cheating" should not be taken seriously, because your knees are not available 24/7, and no one cancelled the "milk step" on a schedule and spontaneous desire.

Bed preparation

The second reason explains why cats wrinkle their paws before they go to bed. It has to do with an instinct preserved from wild felines.

Animals that want to take a nap, make sure to crumple the grass under them. By stomping on one place, they not only create the most comfortable shape of the future "bed", but also kick out insects that have accumulated there with their vibrations.

Despite some commonalities, bedtime preparation and the "milk step" are still different. In the first case, purring is very rare, and rummaging is often accompanied by scraping.

Sexual Attraction.

The beginning of the sexual hunt is easiest to trace in females. They arch their backs, lift their bottoms, and fidget with their hind legs. This unusual behavior is accompanied by a loud meow and occasional rolling around on the floor.

Does it matter what parts of the body a cat rests on?

Trying to get more comfortable on its owner's body, the cat is not always concerned about its comfort, but is worried about the health of the person and is trying to point out the problem. In the old days, it was believed that the whiskered friend would lay down exactly on the part where there are already painful sensations or where pain will soon manifest itself.

Indeed, there are patterns in why a pet lays down in a certain place:

1. When fluffy lays down on his feet, you should think about the health of the joints or veins. If there are no problems with the limbs, the whiskered healer is simply trying to relieve accumulated during the working day fatigue and stress.
2. If the cat lies down on the person, choosing the head as a "bed", it may indicate meteosensitivity of the owner. The pet seeks to alleviate the person's condition, relieve headaches, affect high blood pressure, and relieve tension.
3. If the pet stomps and then rests on his chest, it may be a signal of cardiovascular problems. By choosing the left side of the chest as a lying down position, the whisker is trying to relieve suffering, relieve tension and normalize the heartbeat.

It should be remembered that the cat cat most often chooses as a sleeping partner one member of the family, which it takes care of and protects. Therefore, the observation of the peculiarities of the furry and his desire to lie down on the other person gives more reason to think about the state of health.

Can a cat and a person sleep in the same bed?

It is assumed that if a cat lies down on a person, then it is its person. Many people completely agree with such a statement. The owner must ensure that the fluffy cat has a balanced diet and comfortable living conditions. To this end, buy houses, baskets with soft mattresses, cots. There are even special mats with heating, which are bought by caring family members. However, for a furry homebody, there is nothing better than the bed of a loved one.

Arguments for

There is an opinion that the moustached pet and its owner are very similar. And it is not so much about the external resemblance, as about the inner world. Therefore, two close creatures seek to spend more time together, including in sleep.

When a cat is placed on a beloved family member, it takes away some of the stress. Problems and worries go to the background, when a person strokes a pet, hears his rumbling. And the main argument is that sleeping together gives a sense of comfort and pleasant emotions.

Between man and fluffy homebody is an invisible connection, which allows you to enjoy not only the communication during the day, but also at night. Close creatures usually have a hard time with separation from each other, so sleeping alone is not acceptable to them.

Arguments against.

Experienced breeders, zoologists and veterinarians are not in favor of having a mustachioed friend on the bed or on a person. Many felinologists claim that co-sleeping is unacceptable. Arguments put forward include the following reasons:

1. Animals are carriers of infectious diseases.
2. Dirt from paws leads to rapid soiling of bedding.
3. If a kitty suddenly gets sick, it needs a cot isolated from humans and other inhabitants of the house.
4. A kitten that climbs on the bed in search of warmth can be injured. There is a great risk of crushing the baby.
5. Even the friendliest whisker sleeping next to the baby can accidentally scratch it.
6. Animal hair in a period of heavy shedding causes allergies or just discomfort to the person sleeping next to him.