One of the most common reasons that your cat sits on you is simply for affection. Cats have a reputation for being aloof and unfriendly, but as most cat owners will tell you, this is most often not the case. If your cat feels safe and trusts you, they’ll come and sit on your lap to both give and receive attention.
Top Reasons You Might Have a Lap Cat
Of course, cuddles are wonderful, but let’s look more closely at the various reasons your cat might pick you as their favorite place to sleep.
Cats are cuddly animals that enjoy softness and cuddles. They are sensitive to textures against their skin and paws. If you sit with a blanket over your head or wear a cozy item of clothing, such as a plush bathrobe, you might notice that your cat always leaps up onto your lap.
Your cat may find that the size and shape of your lap is ideal for them to curl up in their preferred sleeping position. They might even knead your legs, which is frequently an indication of a contented and at ease cat.
2. Engaging the Senses
With 200 million odor receptors as opposed to our 50 million, cats have a remarkably keen sense of smell. They also like to surround themselves with things that look, smell, and sound familiar and comforting because they are highly attached to routine and familiarity.
Once your cat has decided that your lap is a good spot for them to hang out, they will come back time and time again as they get used to your unique scents, the sound of your heartbeat and breath, and the texture of your clothing.
Cats are solitary animals that are most vulnerable while they sleep. Their innate instincts drive them to look for the safest place to sleep that is away from possible threats and predators.
This is typically a warm, cozy area that is elevated and distant from the ground. They know they are safe and secure with you, that you are a source of comfort and protection, if they decide to sleep on your lap. How lovely!.
Cats’ body temperatures are typically high, ranging from 101 to 102. 5 degrees Celsius, or roughly 97 to 99 degrees for humans Cats are drawn to warm environments because they find it easier to maintain their body temperature there, even though maintaining this heat requires energy.
Finding the ideal spot for a warm nap is crucial because body temperature tends to drop while you sleep, and your lap might be the ideal spot!
Cats cannot express their feelings to us verbally (although some of the chattier cat breeds do try), so they show their affection with a cuddle, a slow blink, and constant companionship. This is why your cat may want to spend time with you, lying on you, or around you. It’s a real compliment!.
Being watchful creatures, cats frequently take quick naps in a light sleep state while keeping an ear out for any indications of trouble. When they want to sleep deeper, they look for a very safe place to unwind. When a cat sleeps on you, it shows that it trusts you and that you have a strong bond, which allows the cat to feel completely at ease in your company.
Using pheromone chemicals from their scent glands, cats are typically territorial animals that mark out their home territory. They frequently have two areas: a core territory where they eat, groom, and sleep, and a peripheral territory where they patrol and hunt.
Your cat will be covering you with particular pheromones that indicate safety, comfort, and bonding if they spend a lot of time with you, including rubbing their face, cheeks, and chin against you. As this continues, you will become more and more ingrained in their daily lives, and they will want to spend more and more time with you.
Although every cat is unique, certain breeds are renowned for their loving dispositions and passion for cuddling and petting. Great lap cats include the Ragdoll, Sphynx, Siamese, Birman, and Maine Coon.
Why do cats like to sleep on people’s laps?
Because they are more vulnerable when they sleep, cats look for a warm, safe place to sleep that is elevated, far from potential predators, and in a position of trust. It’s a compliment that your cat feels safe and at ease with you and enjoys a warm cuddle if they fall asleep on your lap.