Why Do Cats Sleep At Your Feet?

Cats are champions of the World at sleeping - lucky things!. They sleep almost everywhere, from the back of the couch and window sill to the bookshelf and top of the radiator. But when it comes to sleeping on their hooman's bed, they often prefer to lay at the end of the bed. While it may seem a strange decision to us, in fact it is backed by good logic. 

The following post reveals 5 common reasons why cats sleep at your feet.

Finding a better spot

Cats have a soft spot for cleanliness and tidiness. This makes the end of the bed much more attractive to them since it's neater. They will find more comfort in napping on a soft and tidy surface. 

Apart from making them feel comfortable, such a place gives them a sort of psychological relief which contributes to a longer and deeper sleep. When they see a dirty and wrinkled surface, they get anxious which compromises their sleep quality.

Grab more space

If you tend to sleep all night in the same position, your cat will be happy to slumber next to your pillow. However, if you are in the team of those who toss and turn in bed, your kitty will prefer to settle down at your feet for more space and lower chance of being crushed. 

Although there is a risk for your cat to be slapped by your feet while you're performing a back to belly turn, it doesn't compare with the crushing force of your chest and abdomen.

Look for a cooler place

Cats love sleeping on your chest because they feel your heartbeat which reminds them of their mother. However, they'd choose this sleeping spot only for quick cat naps in the afternoon. 

At night, they'd rather move down to your feet because this place is cooler than the middle of your body. In this way, they prevent their body from overheating during their long and deep sleep.

To feel more protected

While offering a decent protection from outside elements, a wild cat's den has a disadvantage. The entrance and exit points are not secured at all, being an open book for predators. That's why, the feral cat will settle down closer to the entry to keep an eye on who tries to get inside its home. 

This protective behavior is ingrained in domestic cats as well. Even if the risk of an enemy attack is lower, your feline will plant itself at the foot of the bed to keep watch on the bedroom's entrance.

To protect their hooman

By settling down at your feet, your cat wants to make sure that the intruder will have to deal with it first. In other words, your brave and devoted feline assumes the role of your guard who is watching over you and is ready to protect you in case of an attack.

Why Do Cats Sleep At Your Feet: The Verdict

So as you can see, there are a bunch of reasons why cats sleep at your feet. You shouldn't take it too personally if your kitty leaves the area near your pillow and moves down to the end of the bed. It has good reasons for it, which, as a caring owner, you should be respectful of. 

If you don't like the idea of sharing the bed with your pet, buy a cat bed for it. If it doesn't like its new sleeping spot, sprinkle it with catnip or place down a t-shirt with your scent. This should make the feline more willing to move to its new home.