Have you ever been woken up because you're suddenly inhaling cat fur? It's a common situation for cat owners; at some point in the night or early morning, your cat ends up trying to sleep on your head.
What on Earth causes this behavior? Why do cats insist on sleeping on their human's head?
Cats have higher internal body temperatures than we do. A cat's normal temperature is between 100.5 and 102.4°F. It can be more difficult for a cat to keep that temperature while they're resting, so it's normal for them to seek out a heat source outside of their own body to help them maintain their normal temperature.
Since a cat can't pull blankets over herself, she'll head toward the warmest spot available. Humans lose heat through their heads, plus the rest of us is often covered up while we sleep. That's why curling up next to or on top of your head makes perfect sense to your cat.
If you tend to move around a lot in your sleep, the head of your bed might be more comfortable for your cat than the foot, where there is more movement and disruption.
So your cat might be sleeping near your head because the foot of your bed is like a roller coaster for her.
Your cat might sleep near your head just because she loves you. Nighttime might feel to her like a great time for the two of you to bond, and your head and face are so much cozier to show love to than your feet.
If your cat's nighttime habits are keeping you awake, either because she's sleeping on your head or because she is showing her nocturnal personality and moving around or playing all night, what can you do?
There are some things you can do to get your cat to let you sleep at night.
You can find more information in this helpful article: "How to Train Your Cat to Let You Sleep."
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