Cats Seek Warmth and Comfort at Night
Cats are naturally drawn to warmth while resting due to their biology as warm-blooded animals. Unlike dogs, cats do not have thick fur coats to retain heat. So when your cat curls up next to you at night, it’s often because they find you to be a comfortable source of warmth (1). This allows them to conserve energy that would otherwise go towards regulating their body temperature.
Your cat may also seek closeness and affection at night by sleeping next to you. As crepuscular animals, cats can be more active and playful at dusk and dawn. But during the night, they look to their owners for comfort and security. Sleeping by your side allows your cat to bond with you and feel safe and relaxed (2). The nighttime companionship strengthens the attachment between cat and owner.
So the next time your cat snuggles up close while you’re sleeping, remember it’s driven by both biology and emotion. Your faithful feline wants to feel warm, cozy, and cared for as it rests.
Cats Bond with Their Owners
Cats can form strong bonds with their human caretakers. Research from Oregon State University found that cats display attachment behaviors toward their owners similar to dogs and human babies. Like dogs, cats can form either secure or insecure attachments to their owners. Securely attached cats see their owner as a source of comfort and security, while insecure cats do not [1].
Cats become very attached and bonded to their owners. They seek physical closeness with their owners as an expression of affection, safety, and trust. Sleeping near or on top of their owners allows cats to be near someone they feel a bond with. It brings them comfort and security. Cats feel safest when they are close to their family. By being clingy at night, cats are showing that they have formed a close attachment and want to be near the people they trust [2].
Cats are Crepuscular
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. This crepuscular activity pattern evolved to take advantage of times when their prey is also active while avoiding the midday heat. At night, when prey is scarce, cats are less stimulated by the world outside and seek interaction and stimulation from their owners (source: https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/are-cats-nocturnal).
While cats are capable of being active at night, their vision and hunting abilities are best adapted to dawn and dusk light levels. This means they tend to be less active in total darkness. So when your cat is demanding affection, wanting to play, or seeking food in the middle of the night, it’s not necessarily because they are nocturnal. More likely, they are looking for entertainment and interaction to fill the non-hunting nighttime hours (source: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/cat-keeping-you-awake-how-manage-night-activity).
Cats are Territorial
Cats are highly territorial animals that like to establish their domain and guard it. This territorial nature stems from their ancestral lineage as solitary hunters defending their hunting grounds (Source).
A cat considers its home and family as part of its territory that it needs to protect and keep safe. This is why cats often patrol around the house, rubbing and marking their scent in different areas. They see their owners as part of their family and territory that they want to guard closely.
When it’s time to sleep, your cat wants to stay close by your side to watch over you and the territory you both share. Curling up with you helps your cat mark you with its scent and reassure that its family member is protected. This territorial bond is a sign of affection that brings comfort and security to your cat.
Cats Relieve Stress through Kneading
One of the main reasons cats knead and purr when curled up with their owners is that it helps relieve their stress and soothe themselves. Kneading is an instinctive behavior that originates from when they were kittens nursing from their mother. The rhythmic pressing motion on their mother’s belly helped stimulate milk production. This kneading behavior remains instinctual in adult cats as a self-soothing habit.2
When curled up with their trusted human companion, especially at night, cats will knead and purr as a way to relieve any stress or anxiety they may be feeling. The kneading motion releases endorphins that have a calming effect. Purring also helps your cat relax and can even promote healing. So the combination of kneading and purring while snuggling up allows your cat to destress and feel comforted.3
If your cat kneads and purrs a lot when curled up with you, it is a clear sign that you provide a sense of safety and that the close contact helps alleviate any worries they have. It is their natural instinct to knead when feeling happy and content. So take it as a compliment that your cat feels so relaxed and stress-free in your presence.
Cats Feel Safest with Their Owners
Cats form close bonds with their owners and perceive them as protectors and sources of comfort. This is why cats often want to sleep right next to or on top of their owners at night – it makes them feel safe and secure. A study published in Current Biology found that cats see their owners as a “secure base” and source of protection, similar to how human infants view their caregivers (NBC News). When resting or sleeping, cats feel most at ease when they are closest to their trusted human companion.
This tendency for cats to sleep touching their owners is a sign of affection and trust. Cats feel safest when they are near the person they have bonded with and rely on for food, shelter, and security. So while it may disrupt your sleep at times, try to view your cat’s clingy sleep habits as a compliment – it means they feel truly protected and loved when snuggled up next to you.
Cats Love Routine
Cats are creatures of habit and prefer to have predictable routines and schedules. According to one source, “Cats like having the same eating times, clean litter, and play times. If you can, keep their routine as stable as possible for a contented cat.” https://schertzanimalhospital.com/blog/cat-behavior-what-your-cat-wishes-you-knew/
Sleeping with their owner at night becomes part of a cat’s daily routine. Cats feel safest and most comfortable when they can follow their habitual schedule. At bedtime, a cat eagerly anticipates jumping up onto the bed and snuggling up beside their human companion. This nightly ritual provides security and affection for the cat.
Since cats thrive on predictability, they can become stressed or anxious when their routine is disrupted. This clingy behavior at bedtime is their way of sticking to the usual schedule and maintaining a sense of normalcy. A clingy cat who insists on sleeping with you is likely just craving the familiarity of their regular bedtime routine.
Cats Develop Separation Anxiety
It’s not uncommon for cats to experience separation anxiety and become more clingy at night when their owners go to sleep. Whereas dogs are pack animals, cats are more solitary by nature. However, cats can form strong bonds with their human companions. When separated from their person, some cats experience heightened stress and anxiety.
According to Purrch Pets, signs of separation anxiety in cats include excessive vocalizations, destructive behaviors, inappropriate urination or defecation, and obsessively waiting by the door. Cats may pace, overgroom, or try to escape when their owners leave. At night, clingy cats may pace, meow, scratch furniture, or keep their owners awake by pestering them for attention.
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. So at night when things get quiet, anxious cats can feel especially lonely. They seek the reassurance of their owner’s presence. Allowing the clingy cat to sleep on the bed often provides comfort. Slowly getting them used to sleeping alone again can help ease separation anxiety. Consulting a vet for advice is recommended for severe cases.
Tips for Coping with a Clingy Cat
While you may not be able to stop your cat from sleeping with you entirely, there are some tips to help cope with a clingy cat at night:
Provide a cozy cat bed near your bed – Giving your cat an alternative sleeping spot with a warm blanket or bed can help encourage them to sleep there instead. Place it right next to you so your cat still feels close.
Give attention before bed – Make sure to play with and pet your cat before going to sleep so they’re tired out and feel bonded. This can curb their desire to sleep on you at night.
Leave clothing with your scent out – Leave a worn shirt or blanket on their bed so your scent brings them comfort and security while sleeping apart.
Use positive reinforcement – When your cat does sleep in their own bed, reward them with treats and praise in the morning. This reinforces the behavior you want.
Consider a heated cat bed – The warmth can mimic snuggling with you at night. Just make sure your cat doesn’t get overheated.
Try calming supplements – Products like Feliway or calming treats can reduce stress and anxiety in clingy cats.
Make their bed inaccessible at night – If your cat keeps jumping back onto the bed, consider putting their bed up on a table or shelf at night, so they can’t access your bed.
When to See the Vet About Clinginess
If your cat’s clingy behavior is sudden or excessive, it’s important to rule out any underlying medical causes. Some conditions that could lead to increased clinginess include:
- Arthritis or joint pain – Cats with arthritis may have trouble moving around and want to stay close to their owner for comfort and help getting up.
- Cognitive dysfunction syndrome or feline dementia – Senior cats with dementia can become disoriented and anxious when left alone, leading them to seek constant companionship.
- Hyperthyroidism – An overactive thyroid can cause anxiety, restlessness, and vocalization in cats.
Schedule a vet visit if your cat’s clinginess comes on suddenly, gets worse very quickly, or is paired with other symptoms like increased vocalization, house soiling, or appetite changes. The vet can check for medical issues that may be causing your cat’s behavior changes.
With a clean bill of health, you can focus on behavioral approaches to help an overly attached kitty. But it’s important to rule out physical causes first, as medical treatment may be needed to resolve the clinginess.