Why cats sleep at their owner's feet

Even with a slight tendency to such pathological conditions, they actively develop and acquire an acute form when sleeping with a cat on a regular basis. In the case of bronchial asthma, everything is even more serious – the sick person can simply suffocate in his sleep, during the next attack.

Why do cats sleep at their owner's feet?

Based on the fact that the average weight of an adult cat is 3 to 4 kilograms, with the exception of Maine Coons and other big cat breeds, our cats sleep next to a creature that weighs at least 10 to 13 times more than they do.

Obviously, the cat needs to place itself where its bed partner's weight is lightest and it has the most opportunity to escape in case of an emergency – namely in its legs.

After a cat has been accidentally pinned by a sleeping human several times when he rolled over, cats have come to the conclusion that sleeping at head or foot level is less dangerous.

Alarm Clock

How many people have a dead battery on their phone and the alarm clock function doesn't work? Probably millions of human beings.

Fortunately, since cats like to sleep with us, they will notice the problem within a minute.

Cats are creatures of order who enjoy the absence of unpleasant surprises. For this reason, they will try to wake us up to face the day in a normal, everyday fashion. But if they notice that we are staying in bed due to illness, they will not hesitate to stay with us to keep us company.

Pros and cons of co-sleeping with a cat

Among the factors that speak in favor of co-sleeping with a cat are the positive emotions, the possibility of narrow communication with a beloved pet. In addition, many people note that falling asleep next to a warm, soft, purring lump is much easier for them.

It is believed that cats can relieve accumulated stress and cure insomnia.

But in this case you need to be 100% sure of the health of the pet, do not let it out in the street, bathed regularly, vaccinated and undergo regular preventive examinations at the vet. However, the therapeutic effect of a holiday with a cat is still difficult to deny. Many people claim that such cat therapy helps them to get rid of headaches, joint and muscle pain, improve their overall health and mood.

Scientists and the results of sociological and clinical trials have proven that furry pets are one of the best antidepressants, soothing and relieving the effects of stress factors.

Unfortunately, the disadvantages of sharing with a cat, much more than the pros. There is an increased likelihood of contracting the following types of parasitic diseases:

1. Helminth infections . – Worm infections are very likely, especially if there is no regular specialized treatment.
2. Infectious bacterial processes – Despite the cleanliness of cats, pathogens collect on their paws, especially when using the litter box. And even timely cleaning only reduces the risks, but does not eliminate them completely.
3. Fleas – contrary to popular belief, not only animals can be parasitized, but also humans.
4. Ticks – Can provoke the development of scabies, which are extremely difficult to treat.
5. Fungal infestations – are especially common in cats walking outside. When spending time together a person can easily catch ringworm and other unpleasant diseases from his pet.

Is it worth allowing a child to sleep with a cat

Many children love to sleep together with their favorite animal. Cats also rarely refuse such pleasure. But how safe is it for a child? Doctors often scare parents with a huge list of diseases that a baby can catch from a pet.

But it is scientifically proven that children sleeping with their cats are less prone to allergies, less likely to suffer from respiratory diseases, dermatological pathologies and fungal lesions.

The child learns to be more attentive, careful, caring, which has a positive effect on the formation of personality and character of the little man when he sleeps with a cat.

Manifestation of affection

Cats, despite their individualistic nature, become attached to people. After all, those feed them, pamper them, pamper them, etc. They show emotional attachment and snuggle up to people's paws when they need physical contact. There, they feel safe and comfortable.

Until old age, most of them, with few exceptions, remain small kittens and perceive their owners as "parents. Subconsciously they seek shelter, reaching out to them for protection, as well as the next portion of love and affection.

Some already very mature, sexually mature cats move their front paws, releasing and retracting their claws as they settle down next to humans. The so-called "milk step" is a residual memory of happy "baby" times.

"Help."

Since ancient times, purrs have been attributed the ability to diagnose and even treat certain household diseases. They sort of snuggle up to the sore spots, picking up the negative energy they emit. Animals remove the negative, neutralizing it, and sometimes even transforming it into positive radiation.

This fact is not scientifically confirmed, it is not proven. Skeptics believe that sensitive pets simply react to an increase in body temperature: general or local, because every inflammation is accompanied by tissue warming.

The owner's lower extremities more often need cat therapy, because they are tired and "humming" after a hard day's work.

How to train the cat to sleep separately?

In order to train your beloved pet to sleep separately, you should arrange a comfortable sleeping place for him.

• Once you have prepared a sleeping place for your pet, don't rush to put it in one corner of the room or another. Every cat has its own favorite places in the house. Therefore, it is best to place the house or cot there.
• Put your cat on a specially prepared spot so he can explore everything thoroughly. Whether he likes the new place to sleep or not, it will be clear at once. If the pet is still small, you can attract its attention to the sleeping place with catnip. By the way, for adult animals, such a bait will also work great.
• In case the pet already has a favorite bed, too, there should be no problem. For example, he has long been fond of your old scarf or T-shirt and always sleeps on it, you can lay this thing in the cat house.
• Close the door to your bedroom at night. Of course, in the first few days, the pet won't like it at all. But after a while it will understand and get used to it, so it won't complain and will sleep in its own bed.

Recommendations for sleeping place organization

As mentioned above, cats are very positive about warm, comfortable places. In addition, they prefer to sleep in a clean place and for this reason they choose their owner's bed and sometimes climb on the closet shelf with clean linens.

A pet's sleeping place should be comfortable, warm, dry and clean.

In addition, it is important to consider the fact that most cats and felines like to sleep on an elevated spot rather than down on the floor. This makes them feel completely safe. Also, pets tend to choose dark and quiet places to sleep. They will prefer an open space to a quiet and cozy corner that is hidden from prying eyes. For this reason, they are indifferent to various boxes and love to sleep in them.

• The sleeping place for your beloved pet should be spacious, cozy, with an open or closed top. Even a large wicker basket will work fine. Since this animal is heat-loving, it is better to place the sleeping place near the radiator. Inside it should be soft, clean and warm.
• The cozy place for the pet should be placed in such a way that the pet could quietly observe everything that is going on. Be sure to set the house or cot so that the cat has the best view. Do not put the bed too high. Remember that it should be easy for the cat to get in.
• Use a soft cloth that is pleasant to the touch as a bed. You can make your own mattress or pillow, or you can choose a ready-made version, which is available in every specialty store for pets.

If you want your pet to love his bed and sleep there all the time, you should keep it clean regularly. Clean the mattress from wool and dust and wash it regularly. When washing, do not use powder or scented soaps. It is best to choose a neutral option, such as baby soap.

Behavioral and physiological causes

This group of possible reasons explaining the desire of cats to sleep at the feet of their owners is based on their habits and habits – and perhaps some tricks of the little cunning ones. They include:

• A sense of their own safety. Cats are predators by nature, so they can only relax and fall asleep if they are convinced of their own safety. A human's feet represent an ideal position for the beast, allowing it to feel most comfortable.
• A human is a source of warmth. Although cats have a higher body temperature than humans, his presence near them allows the animal to maintain a comfortable body temperature with less effort and energy.
• Convenience when waking up in the morning. Our pets are actually much trickier than they seem. Often many woolly pets lie down with their owner, this allows them not to miss the moment when they wake up. After all, it's so easy for them to beg us for something yummy in the early morning!

Esoteric and mystical reasons

In this category we will include variants invented by people, as to why cats sleep at the feet of their owners. They are connected with the beliefs fixed in the human memory about these animals:

• Cats help with foot ailments. Oddly enough, very often cats tend to lie down on the seat of the disease. And at least partially the pain goes away after such a procedure. According to folklore, if a cat constantly lays down on the same area of the body (most often the feet), it may be a reason to go to the doctor to check your health, to take the appropriate tests.
• Cats help to remove negative energy from the human body. According to many theories of bioenergetics, in the lower part of the human body there is a significant accumulation of negative energy during the day due to the negative chakra located there. It is cats, when lying down at the feet of their owners, help to remove the excess negative energy, not to accumulate it, acting as energy vampires, absorbing the negative, leaving us with only positive energy.

For many people, the question of why cats lie down, for a long time remains one of the most mysterious when discussing the habits of these animals. It is not known for certain what directs cats in their choice of a place to sleep at night.

We can say quite accurately: sleeping next to their owner, at his feet – a way to show love, loyalty and affection of the cat to his master, and the measured purring of cats during sleep has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of man.

What it means if a cat sleeps on his back

A cat's tummy is the most vulnerable and reverently guarded part of the body. Moustached pets avoid its stroking at the level of reflexes, so very few of them do not oppose caressing the owner.

After falling asleep, defenselessness increases. Knowing this, animals lay down in a ball or "bun" in advance, minimizing the number of areas for possible attack. But there are exceptions, due to one of the reasons listed below.

Cats spend most of their time "recharging" in a drowsy state, reacting immediately to any suspicious rustle.

Trusts

In safe conditions, whiskered pets instinctively roll over onto their backs because of trivial convenience. The love of this pose comes from childhood, when the mother cat would turn her babies over and lick their bellies before going to bed. Such washing not only stimulated bowel peristalsis but also relaxed them.

If your pet often falls asleep in this position next to you, he trusts you boundlessly and is not afraid of a sudden attack. It is not easy to earn such an attitude, so you can be proud of yourself.

He is hot

Another reason is the high temperature in the room. His open belly and outstretched paws speed up the cooling process.

In hot weather, animals tend to fall asleep on tiles or the ground. Their breathing rate also increases, because the evaporation of saliva helps their body temperature drop more quickly.

Like humans, cat sweat glands are located on completely bald or virtually hairless areas. The catch is that there are only two of them: muzzle and paw pads. Because of this, wet footprints often appear on the floor in the heat.

Why cats and cats lie on their backs but do not sleep

Before analyzing the situation directly, it is important to ascertain the fact of sleeping. If the cat is lying on its back, but awake, its position will be due to very different reasons.

Defending themselves from an attack

Despite the vulnerability of the tummy, in a certain position its display becomes part of the defensive posture. If a cat is feeling restless around other pets or strangers coming to visit, it may lie on its back with its claws out at the ready. From this position, it is convenient to attack with its paws and teeth.

Playing

When in a playful mood, cats often roll over from side to side trying to grab something with their paws. This way they show their hunting instinct, so you should not touch the belly with your bare hands or feet.

Instead, it is advisable to throw a toy mouse, ball or teddy bear toy into your pet's paws. He will then be happy to bite it and nibble on it with his hind legs.

Attract attention

Cats are well-known manipulators. They quickly remember the habits and reactions of their owners to certain actions. With special interest are noticed that causes delight and tenderness: meow in response to human speech, pity eyes, graceful stretching and demonstration of a fluffy tummy. All this pets skillfully use to extort treats and attention to their person.

If your cat is in the mood for affection and shows good-naturedness, do not wait until she changes her mind and seize the moment.

Overeating

Overeating is most prone to low-active neutered pets. Their diet must be constantly monitored to avoid obesity. If you don't keep a daily calorie allowance and feed your pet out of pity, they could have serious digestive problems.

Is it possible to say with certainty why cats lie down?

One hundred percent confirmed conclusions from felinologists on this subject still do not exist. All explanations are based only on conjecture and currently known facts.

Scientists have managed to find out that the habit of sleeping at the feet appears only with age. Kittens usually nestle on the chest. They are attracted to the heartbeat, which reminds them of their mother and the pleasant feeling of security inside her womb. But over time they realize that it is more expensive to sleep there.

The sleeping person is constantly tossing and turning, now and then risking running over the unfortunate pet. Because of this, they have to move to the bottom or the headboard. Here it is much more difficult to get accidental injury, so this decision is directly related to the instinct of self-preservation.

What causes are commonly identified

Possible reasons are divided into 4 large groups. Some of them have a rather logical explanation, so it is difficult to disagree with them. Others raise a smile from atheists and skeptics. Despite this, each of them has the right to exist.

Behavioral

Behavioral reasons include the emotions shown by our pets. The appearance of a cat in your bed can mean:

1. Love, affection, gratitude, trust and any other positive feelings. If a cat purrs peacefully, moves its paws or scratches its tummy, you can be proud of yourself. Being with you, he feels safe, so easily falls into a deep sleep, sniffling funny.
2. Jealousy and possessiveness. By actively rubbing himself against the owner and his personal belongings, the cat leaves his invisible markings, scaring away potential rivals.
3. Boredom. Cats haven't been walking on their own for a long time. Some of them become much more attached to people than dogs. When staying alone they miss you much, and right after the return of a human they try to curl up into a ball next to him.
4. Obedience. More often whiskered pets choose only one two-legged favorite. Tucked into bed with him, they recognize him as a leader and accept their secondary role.

These explanations are based on the owners' hunches, so you can easily pick up your own version. The more interesting versions include physiological ones, but their inherent reasoning is not so romantic anymore.

Physiological

If a cat or cat sleeps in the legs, it is likely due to the peculiarities of their behavior. Moustached pets love secluded boxes, warm radiators, the smell of milk and delicious food. It sounds strange, but all of this can be found near the host:

They're looking for where they're more comfortable.

If you're saddened to realize that your pet is self-serving and taking advantage of you, the explanation that they're just looking for warmth will be more satisfying. Many people have probably noticed that cats move along you at night and then go to their feet. They respond to body temperature and move to warmer or cooler places depending on their needs.

Also, cats don't like to be disturbed. When you toss and turn at night, you disturb their personal space by waking them up. The upper body in this case has a larger surface area than the legs. When you move your hands, rub the pillow, you are disturbing your pet a lot. The place at the feet is the least bothersome option.

Also, cats are very attentive creatures. They don't want to wake you up because they don't like it themselves, so they take this into account when choosing a place. Cats are vigilant; they need to leave and come in when they want to. If they sleep at the snooze, it's easier for them to leave without waking you up.

Unwilling to give up favors.

Another trivial reason is not to miss a feed. By choosing a spot at your feet, the cat knows exactly when you're up. Why would she want the extra trouble and hassle of finding food if you forget to feed her in the morning rush. So she won't miss her breakfast and she'll be flying to her bowl for a yummy treat.

Many also believe in cats' special ability to sense their owners' weak, sore spots. Perhaps. No one is saying it's a myth or claiming it as fact. There's a lot about cat behavior we don't yet understand. But whether a cat sleeps at your feet every day or sometimes, it means it feels safe around you.

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