I love bedtimes because that is when I can cuddle up with my cat for the night and smell him to sleep. Cats make great warm blankets and their soft purring (or snoring) will lull you into slumber.
But what if your cat has the habit of sleeping outside your bedroom door? Or has just started to do so?
What does it mean when your cat does that?
Why Does My Cat Sleep Outside My Bedroom Door?
Your cat might be sleeping outside your bedroom door to be close to you. It might also feel the need to guard its owner while they sleep. Sometimes It can also be due to an underlying medical or emotional issue that your cat is going through.
Let’s take a closer look at why cats choose to sleep outside your bedroom door.
Your Cat Wants To Be Close To You
Not all cats are cuddle bugs or enjoy sleeping with their owners but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be close to you.
My cat is affectionate but there are some days when he just prefers to keep his distance.
The thing is, despite his desire for distance, he still likes being close to me.
I can be working at my dining table and he’s sleeping on the chair next to me.
Or while I’m watching TV on the couch, he will just sit a few cushions away and watch with it.
Your cat could be feeling the same thing.
A study has shown that cats are more sociable when humans pay attention to them1.
Your cat wants to be close to you but is not too keen on sleeping on the same bed.
Your Sleeping Schedule Doesn’t Match
“Cats are crepuscular. This makes them active during the early morning and evening.”
Here’s an interesting fact.
Cats sleep close to 18-20 hours a day.
That is a lot of time to be sleeping and there’s a good reason for this.
Every living thing is governed by its body clock or circadian rhythm. This dictates our waking and sleeping hours.
Humans are diurnal which means we sleep at night and are busy during the day.
Cats are crepuscular. This makes them active during the early morning and evening.
These specific periods allow cats in the wild to hunt preys that feed during this time.
That could very well explain why your cat is meowing loudly in the morning for your attention.
Your Cat Doesn’t Like Sleeping On Your Bed
Cats are fussy creatures and can be very choosy about their sleeping place.
Cats prefer to sleep in places that are elevated and at a temperature that is comfortable for them.
This occurs because cats are highly vigilant regarding their environment and favor higher ground.
It provides protection from predators and offers an optimal vantage point to observe their surroundings.
If your room is also too hot or too cold for your cat, it won’t be able to get a good night’s sleep.
The core temperature for cats is slightly higher than a human’s.
Therefore what might be comfortable for you might not be for your cat.
Another valid reason why your cat prefers to sleep at your bedroom door instead of on your bed is due to you being a disruptive sleeper.
You toss and turn too many times at night and talk loudly in your sleep.
Cats are light sleepers and such disturbance can keep them up the whole night.
Such issues can cause your cat to not want to sleep with your anymore. As heartbreaking as that might be, your cat needs its beauty sleep too.
Your Cat Knows Your Routine
“My cat knows my sleep patterns better than I do.”
When it comes to cats, it is all about having a fixed routine. They are creatures of habit and are not too keen on changes.
Not only does your cat has a routine, but it is also very aware of yours too.
Your cat is aware of the time you usually go to the bathroom at night or when you wake up in the morning.
It could be conveniently positioning itself at your bedroom door just before you step out to get food or attention from you.
I can tell you this from first-hand experience.
My cat knows my sleep patterns better than I do.
He knows what time I usually wake up and go to bed. I don’t even need an alarm clock these days as he will definitely wake me up for his morning meal.
Your Cat Is Feeling Stressed
As mentioned above, cats are not very adaptable when it comes to change.
Big changes like moving to a new home, the arrival of a new pet or family member can cause undue stress to them.
When a cat a stressed it might start exhibiting strange feline behaviors.
If your cat has consistently slept on your bed or the couch and suddenly begins sleeping outside your bedroom door, it could indicate that something is amiss as this change deviates from their typical behavior.
A stressed-out cat can also start to be very clingy with its owner.
Try to ascertain what is stressing your cat out and resolve it. If it is due to a new pet or family member, get them properly socialized to reduce your cat’s stress levels.
It may take some time for your cat to adapt to a new home if you have recently moved house.
Try giving your cat more attention to help it settle in quicker.
Should I Leave My Bedroom Door Open For My Cat?
It depends very much on the kind of sleeper you are and how active your cat is at night.
If you are a light sleeper, sleeping with your bedroom door open can prevent you from sleeping well.
This problem can be made worse if your cat has a tendency to jump on and off your bed during the night if given access to enter your bedroom.
There are also cats who won’t stop meowing if you sleep with a closed door at night. It gives them separation anxiety if they can’t see you.
If you have a slight pet allergy, having your cat access to your bedroom isn’t a good idea at all.
It is no fun waking up feeling sick due to an allergic reaction.
You will need to learn how to get rid of pet dander in your home to help manage your sensitivities.
Pet dander is usually an allergen that can trigger off an allergic reaction.
You will have to test it out with your cat and work out a compromise to see what works best.
Can I Get My Cat To Sleep In My Bedroom?
If you have been trying to get your cat to sleep in your bedroom but have not been successful, there are a number of things that you can do to change that.
Warmer Environment
Your cat loves a slightly warmer temperature due to its slightly higher body temperature.
You can try raising the temperature of the aircon by 1-2 degrees to see if that makes your cat more comfortable.
Get A Cat Bed
If you move a lot in your sleep, your cat will have a hard time getting a good night’s rest. A good solution to this would be to get your cat its own cat bed.
One thing to note is that every cat has its own personal preferences when it comes to its sleeping spot. So make sure you know how to choose the right cat bed.
A cat bed will also help keep your cat warmer if your room is too cold.
Provide An Elevated Platform
There are some cat breeds like the Siberian and Bengal cat that loves higher ground.
Having a cat tree or a platform place in your bedroom can help entice your little kitty to sleep in your room instead of outside your bedroom door.
Place A Soft Blanket Or Towel On Your Bed
Cats have sensitive skin and prefer to lie on surfaces that are soft and smooth. If your bedsheets usually feel like the surface of the road, no cat would want to sleep on your bed.
If your cat likes sleeping with its head upside down, a soft pillow or blanket might entice it.
Get Your Cat Used To Your Bed
It could be that your cat isn’t too confident about being on your bed. Try putting your cat on your bed more often so that its scent is on it.
You can also feed your cat some treats and place some catnip on your bed to get your cat more relaxed.
Why Does My Cat Guard Me When I Sleep?
“Despite their standoffish appearance, most cats can be fiercely loyal pets.”
They say dogs have masters and cats have slaves.
As aloof and uncaring as some might think cats can be, nothing can be further from the truth.
Cats aren’t like that because of a personality flaw. Since the dawn of time, cats have always been known to be solitary animals.
They spend a large amount of their life span alone unlike dogs who move around in packs.
Cats are biologically programmed to only look out for themselves.
But with time and domestication, cats have evolved to develop a close and loving bond with their human family.
In fact, some studies have shown that cats are capable of developing ‘human-like’ bonds with their owners.
Despite their standoffish appearance, most cats can be fiercely loyal pets.
Don’t be surprised to learn that your cat is sleeping on the floor outside your bedroom door to guard and protect you.
Cats can be really feisty and aggressive and have been known to protect their families from intruders and dangerous animals.
You’re ensured of a peaceful night’s rest with your cat guarding your bedroom entrance.
How Do You Tell If Your Cat Is Protective Of You?
There are a couple of ways to tell if your cat is being protective of you.
It won’t be able to tell you not to stick your finger in a socket, unfortunately.
Your cat will get defensive when someone else, another pet or other cats approaches you.
It will start to show signs of aggressiveness like meowing loudly, pulling its ears back or even showing its teeth and claws.
It can be problematic if your cat lashes out at them and causes harm. Behavioral training needs to be done to teach your cat to not be overprotective.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, where your cat sleep shouldn’t be that much of a problem for you.
The most important thing is that you and your cat are able to have a good night’s sleep without any problems.
If your cat likes sleeping at your bedroom door then it could be his latest favorite sleeping spot.