This post was kindly provided by Phil Ashton, the founder, and editor of SelfDevelopmentJourney.com where he blogs about a wide range of relationship dynamics between families and their pets such as husband-related issues as covered in this post:
It’s common for cat owners to be perplexed why their cat seems to prefer one person over another, particularly when it comes to choosing where they sleep.
If you’re wondering why does my cat sleep with me and not my husband or vice versa, there is an explanation.
How Do Cats Choose Where to Sleep?
First of all, you need to establish if your cat is choosing where they sleep because they like the spot, or if it’s because they are near their ‘favorite’ person.
There are a few things cats look for when deciding where they will sleep:
- Comfort
- Safety
- Calmness
- Warmth
If you’re a fidgeter while you sleep and you cat knows this they will not sleep next to you. Maybe they tried it before and you were moving about during the night and disturbed them?
Is your side of the bed near an open door or facing an open space?
Cat’s like to feel secure and will often sleep on a side near a wall where they are surer that nothing will sneak up behind them.
Is your side of the bed nice and warm? Are you near an open window, do you have fewer blankets on your side of the bed?
These are a few things to consider when trying to understand why and where you cat chooses to sleep.
How Do Cats Choose Their Human?
There is an old saying that cats choose us, we don’t choose them. I think most cat owners will agree there is some truth to this!
Without making cats sound a superficial they often show more affection to the person who feeds and fuses them the most.
So if that’s your partner and that’s who they choose to sleep next to, can you blame them?
There is also a bond that’s built between human and cat. Largely through how they are interacted with.
Every cat has their own personality, likes, dislikes, and will appreciate different types of social interaction.
Some cats like to be fussed a lot, some like to be left alone, some like to exchange head bunts, and so on.
The more you treat your cat how they want to be treated, the stronger the bond they will have with you.
The stronger the bond the more comfortable they will be around you, and the more likely they are to sleep next to you.
How Can I Make My Cat Sleep next to Me?
You really can’t make a cat do anything they don’t want to do, that’s what we, as cat owners, love about them, right?
What you can do is make a spot next to you on the bed as inviting as possible. As well as working on building your bond with your cat.
It may take time, but I think that if you do all of this you’ll wake up to find your kitty sleeping next to you one morning.
Why Does My Cat Sleep on Me Every Night?
If your cat is sleeping on top of you at night then they enjoy the extra warmth you give off. As well as wanting to be close to their favorite person.
Personally, my one cat only likes me and no one else. She sleeps on top of me at every chance, follows me around and such, I’m used to it.
I know for some people it’s unwelcome and annoying. It can feel a little smothering when you’re trying to sleep.