Why Won’t My Cat Sleep With Me Anymore? Help!

why won't my cat sleep with me anymore

Ever snuggled up in bed only to realize that your cat has opted for a different sleep spot tonight? Your usual cuddle buddy has decided to skip the nightly routine, leaving you wondering, “Why won’t my cat sleep with me anymore?”

This abrupt change can be puzzling and a little disheartening for any cat owner especially when your cat has been sleeping with you all the time.

There could be various reasons why your cat has stopped sleeping with you, ranging from changes in your sleeping environment to changes in your cat’s bedtime preferences or even medical issues.

In this article, we’ll delve into the potential reasons behind this behavior change and if it’s possible to get your cat back on the bed.

My Cat Doesn’t Sleep With Me Anymore

“A survey has shown that up to 34% of domestic cats sleep on their owner’s bed”

There is no hard and fast rule as to where your cat should sleep at night.

But it definitely should be indoors to keep them safe from dangerous people, animals and weather.

There’s no better feeling than cuddling up with your furry friend at night. Especially on a cold night when your cat feels like a warm blanket.

What a blissful feeling.

A survey has shown that up to 34% of domestic cats sleep on their owner’s bed. There are also a large number of cats that prefer to sleep in the bathroom, surprisingly.

But if your cat has been sleeping on your bed every night since it was a kitten, why is there a change in the habit now?

Let’s explore the possible reasons why your cat refuses to sleep with you.

You’re Too Troublesome To Sleep With

Don’t take it the wrong way but you could be the main reason as to why your cat has decided to switch its sleeping venue.

If you are someone that moves and turns a lot in your sleep, your cat won’t be able to get a restful sleep at night on the same bed.

Some of us tend to move around rather aggressively when we sleep. There’s a risk of injuring your cat if it prefers sleeping near your feet.

I myself am a busy sleeper and there’s always a fear that I might crush my cat at night but luckily cats are smarter than we give them credit for.

The same problem arises for your cat if you snore or talk loudly in your sleep.

Cats have very sensitive hearing and their ears are made to amplify sounds. Therefore they can be easily disturbed from their sleep if it’s too noisy.

You might think that you snore like a humming back but to your cat, it sounds more like a croaking rooster.

Don’t be surprised to find your cat sleeping under the bed rather than next to you when morning comes.

Cats Like To Sleep On Higher Ground

“Cats prefer somewhere higher with a vantage point like your sofa or table where they can feel safer.”

Cats in general are rather cautious animals.

Even when sleeping, they want to make sure that they are safe from predators and can have a bird’s eye view of their surroundings.

In the wild, it is not uncommon to see big cats like jaguars, lions and panthers sleeping in trees just to have a height advantage.

There’s not much difference when it comes to our domesticated cats as compared to their wild ancestors.

If your bed is low to the ground or you sleep on the floor, then your kitty might find it too low to its liking.

Cats prefer somewhere higher with a vantage point like your sofa or table where they can feel safer.

Your Cat Likes Its Own Sleeping Space

Cats are fiercely independent creatures and need their own space.

Besides lions, most cats in the wild are solitary animals until it is time to mate.

You would really find them curled up with each other during bedtime unless they’re kittens or housemates.

If you have a cat that likes sleeping face down by itself most of the time, getting the correct and suitable cat bed might not be a bad idea.

Just don’t go crazy buying a very expensive one because cats have very fussy tastes.

Your Room Is Too Hot Or Too Cold

Cats don’t have the same body temperature as humans at rest.

For cats, their normal body temperature ranges from 101 -102.5F. It would feel like a fever if we are running that temperature.

Therefore, it is hard to set a mutually comfortable temperature for you and your cat at night.

What might seem too warm for you might be too cold for your cat and vice-versa.

It could even be your body heat that the cat finds too warm hence it needs somewhere cooler.

You might have to play around with the temperature setting to see what is comfortable for your cat.

There is usually a sweet spot for them.

Pro tip: making the temperature of a room too hot or too cold can help keep a cat out of a room without a door.

You Have Too Many Pets On Your Bed

many pets sleeping on same bed

There are some pet owners who have many pets at home and all of them sleep on the bed at night.

Imagine if you are a cat and you have to share the bed with a giant human, three full-sized dogs, four cats and a couple of birds.

I doubt you would be able to get any decent sleep at all.

Besides having sensitive hearing, a cat’s sense of smell is highly sensitive too.

Having other pets in the room might be too much of a sensory overload for the cat.

Imagine having a myriad of odors and scents assaulting your nostrils when you are about to sleep.

Not the most pleasant of an experience.

If all your pets sleep on the same bed as you, you might want to limit the number of pets that come onto the bed at night.

Having a couple of cat beds or floor mats will provide alternative sleeping options for your other pets.

Your Cat Found A Better Sleeping Place

Many cat owners will agree with me when I say that cats can be fussy and finicky.

They can like one brand of wet food for one year and then hate it all of a sudden. The same thing can happen with their sleeping habits.

If your cat has suddenly stopped sleeping with you, there’s a chance that it might have found a more comfy spot to settle in for the night.

It could be the bathroom sink, your dining table, your sofa, etc.

However, if you find your cat sleeping in unsafe areas like near electrical sockets or the stove, it would be in their best interest to move them somewhere else safer.

Your Cat Is No Longer A Helpless Kitten

“It is just a natural process for a cat and nothing to be upset about.”

Kittens, being helpless and needy, tend to stick closer to their owners when they are young.

They don’t have a full coat of fur and are unable to regulate their body temperature well.

Therefore being close to you at night will keep them nice and toasty.

But as your cat grows older, it starts to develop a stronger sense of independence and doesn’t have to be around you all the time.

It is just a natural process for a cat and nothing to be upset about.

You don’t really see full-grown adults still wanting to sleep with their parents on the same bed at night.

When my cat was still a kitten, he loved sleeping in my arms at night and using my shoulder as his pillow.

These days, I’m over the moon if he stays for a few hours on my bed at night.

Cats Have Different Sleep Cycles

For humans, it is normal for us to be awake for most of the daylight hours and start to get sleepy later in the night. Or circadian rhythm is known as diurnal.

Cats, on the other hand, have a different sleep cycle from us. Cats are known as crepuscular which means that they are active during the early mornings and evenings.

They don’t sleep for extended periods like we do (6-8 hours) but rather it is broken up into smaller sleep cycles throughout the day.

This would mean that your bedtime doesn’t necessarily mean your cat’s bedtime as well.

Pets are known to adjust their sleeping habits to match their owners but by and large, they still retain their own natural body clock.

Your Cat Is Unwell

There are times when your cat’s reluctance to sleep o the same bed could be due to a medical issue.

Your cat might be in pain which is making it hard for it to jump on the bed.

Many cats tend to be less sociable and prefer to be left alone when they are unwell.

How Do I Get My Cat To Sleep With Me (Again)?

There are no guarantees when it comes to our pets especially one as iron-willed as a cat.

If it was my dog, he will be lying next to me whenever I call.

It does work differently if you are trying to get your cat to sleep on the bed with you again.

Here are some effective methods that you can try.

Make Space For Your Cat

cat sleeping on bed

Depending on how large your bed is, it would be ideal if you can leave a decent area for your cat to sleep on.

Cats don’t need a lot of space but when my cat feels too boxed in, he will jump off my bed and sleep somewhere else.

If you have a larger bed and always sleep in the middle, try moving more to the side to make room for your cat.

If your bed is too small for both you and your cat, consider getting a cat bed for your cat and place it next to your bed.

Just be careful to not step on your cat when you wake up.

Make It Comfortable For Your Cat

Cats can be sensitive to temperature changes so try to make your cat feel a comfy as possible in your room.

My cat hates having something over him so I don’t bother giving him a blanket even when it feels cold.

He just prefers it that way.

Some cats like to snuggle in when the weather gets chilly.

If that is your cat, have a blanket handy in your bedroom when the temperature dips.

Give More Positive Reinforcements

You might think that praises and pets don’t work on your cat but that’s where you are wrong.

Cats retain their training best through positive reinforcement.

Whenever your cat comes on your bed and spends time with you, give it lots of pets, attention or some treats.

This creates a positive experience for your cat and encourages it to do more of it.

Take Your Cat To The Vet

cat at vet

There are a couple of signs to look out for to know if your cat isn’t in the best of health.

Here are the most common symptoms:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Change in litter box habits
  • Excessive vocalization

If any of the above symptoms persist for more than a few days, please take your cat to the vet right away.

Cats are really good at masking their pain until it is too late.

What If All Else Fails?

If you have been trying to get your cat to sleep on the same bed as you, my advice is that there’s no need to.

Here at Petsbeam.com, we never believe in making our pets do things that are uncomfortable with.

Cats choose where they want to sleep and we should not interfere with their decisions.

There is no point forcing your cat to be on the same bed as you if it affects their rest. It is better for them to get a proper rest elsewhere.

If your cat has started sleeping with you on the same bed then that’s awesome.

Make sure to treasure having a purring, snoring and warm furry blanket next to you as it may have a change of mind tomorrow.

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