Why Does My Cat Lay On The Chest?

As a cat owner, you have a lot of roles. You are an affectionate pet parent, a first-aid assistant, a nutritionist and sometimes you can even be a piece of furniture. If your furball is like most cats, he or she loves lying and sleeping on your chest from time to time or maybe all the time.

In this article, we’re going to ponder whether to enjoy or avoid such a relatively common cat’s behavior as laying on the owner’s chest and try to understand why the owner’s chest usually becomes more appealing for the feline friends than the most comfortable and softest sofa cushion.

Why Does My Cat Lay On The Chest: 7 Reasons

Sometimes we all treat our charming cats like human babies. So it is hardly surprising that our little four-legged companions start acting like naughty kids and make every effort to draw the owners’ attention.

In case you start to notice that your furry family member occupies your chest very often, you might be wondering why he or she is acting like that. Well, we can get you help and explain a few reasons why cats choose the human body to fall asleep so often.

Showing Affection

The most obvious reason your cat might like to lay on your chest is to show affection. You are the best friend and playmate for your furry companion, you are your cat’s protector and feeder and that’s why your feline can often be seen lying on your chest and demonstrating how he or she loves the owner.

It would be better not to punish your kitty for such tender behavior but just cuddle your furball.

Getting More Owner’s Attention

Why do adult cats sit or lay on the human chest so often? The answer may be so clear… Your small companion may sit or lay on your chest simply because he or she wants your attention! It is an effective way of getting between you and your phone, laptop, or whatever other things you might be focused on.

Try to be careful with such provocative behavior of your feline and don’t encourage it as you don’t want your fur ball to jump on you when you work on your computer or have serious telephone conversations.

Trying to Calm You

Cats love sitting on their human bodies. But do you believe that cats sit on your chest to heal you?
Well, you’ve got to believe it! Your cat can be really good for stress relief!

Cats are considered to be a kind of sedative because they can easily calm and relax their owners by lying on the chest. You may pet and cuddle your splendid cat who lays on your chest and forget about everything after a hard working day.

Looking for Some Warmth, Comfort, and Safety

When you become a pet parent, your cat may take you as a mother or father. Thus, your cat curled up lying on the human’s chest and feeling your heartbeat calms down because you give him or her an extra element of feeling secure, comfortable, and warm.
If you wake up in the morning and find your cat sleeping on you, you shouldn’t be surprised.

It makes sense because all the cats love warmth and feel safe when they are with or on their owners. In addition, don’t forget that cats need such close proximity to their masters to feel relaxed as they often seek security near their family members. So the best bet is to let your cat sleep on your chest and breathe deeply to make your feline happy and patient.

Keep in your mind that even if your feline turned into an adult cat, he or she is prone to kittenish behavior and perceives you as a person who is always ready to protect and safeguard such a tender creature with a fluffy coat and kind heart.

Suffering from Separation Anxiety

Just like dogs, some felines tend to experience separation anxiety more than other cats. Multiple cats don’t like to spend time alone and can behave naughtily when you leave home.

Perhaps your cat isn’t an exception and when he or she sees that you are going to leave, your loving cat loves lying on your chest to stop you. In those moments, you can notice that your emotional kitty becomes very clingy and anxious. So your cat’s desire to lay on your chest can be caused by separation anxiety.

Why does my cat sleep on my chest? Stop asking this boring question! Let your cat sleep on your chest. Just play with your cat fur and cuddle your loyal four-legged companion.

Keep that in mind and don’t ignore your furry friend.

Going Crazy for Your Scent

It isn’t a great secret that cats have a powerful smell and mostly they survive thanks to their smell abilities.

One more reason that your purring cat loves lying on your chest may be connected with this specific ability. Your cat knows his or her own scent as well as the scent of his or her favorite person and, of course, your feline friend tries to be closer to the pet owners and such familiar scents of the pet owners.

Indoor cats love the warmth and when they feel familiar scents, they feel safe and comfy. Moreover, such scent cats can be very irritating when staying alone without their favorite person.

Demonstrate Dominance

Some families have several cats. They all may sit and sleep on you or your chest. But you may find one of them sleeping on your chest more frequently than others.

You should know that in such an obvious way your cat tries to establish dominance.
Cats often claim toys and couches in order not to allow other felines access, and a cat sleeping on the owner’s chest can achieve the same aim.

By lying on the chest of their pet parent, cats strive to be very territorial creatures and cover more of their owners with pheromones from their scent glands.

Looking for Ways to Cut Down on the Cat-To-Chest Time

You love your cat very much and appreciate such a delicate creature that makes your life so playful and cool.
However, it can be a bit irritating when you open your eyes in the morning and see your cat’s face or butt. Not a very positive start to the day… But maybe it’s not all bad! At the same time, it can be pleasant to hear your cat’s purr.

However, if you begin to notice that you don’t want to feel your cat sleeping on your chest and, generally, you prefer to stay alone in your bed for a few hours, it is time to ponder how to wean off your heavy cat from lying and sleeping on your chest. Here you’ll find a few tips that can help you a lot.

The first and main thing you can do is to go to the nearest cat shop and buy the best cat bed for your cat.
Remember, it must be the coziest and softest cat bed in the world. But to be sure that your feline will love it you should think about the smell! Add your smell to your cat’s new own bed.

Your warm blanket that soaked up your scent or even your clothes can be great to make your cat sleep in his or her own bed. You may place your old T-shirt or old sweater as cats love to be near their owners and constantly feel their familiar scent.

Just put some old clothes into the feline’s own bed and offer it to your kitty as a better alternative. Be sure cats like to get cool presents from their masters.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my cat sleep or lay on me all the time?

As a cat parent, you may have a lot of different questions regarding your feline’s strange behavior. Why does my cat sit on me all the time? Or why does my cat always lay on me?

Actually, the reason can be easily explained. In such a clear and gentle way, your cat likes to demonstrate love, devotion, and care for the owner. Think about this and maybe you won’t be so strict with your cat.

Don’t forget that your cats want to give you affection and, in turn, need to get your love and attention. Try to be thankful to your cats for all their affection and commitment because it really makes sense.

Why does my cat lay on my chest and stare at me?

It may happen that you see your cat curled up on your chest and stared at you. Don’t be afraid of this because it can be just the way your cat communicates with you.

Try to accept this nonverbal way of communication from your kitty and be sure that in such a way your feline wants to show boundless love to the owner.

Why does my cat lay on my chest and purr?

Why do cats lay on the chest of their owners and purr? Or why does my poor kitty sleep on my chest? These questions are highly popular among pet owners but most cat experts and vets can easily explain this “WHY”.

It isn’t a great secret that many cats are often calmed down by the sounds of their owners’ bodies – their masters’ heartbeat soothes them. This means that when you find your cat sitting or lying on your chest he or she may get a warm spot and be comforted by the sounds of your body – your rhythmic heartbeat and steady breath and that’s why your kitty may start purring.

When your cat feels warm and secure, he or she tries to express that in a non-verbal way with the help of purring.

Why does my cat lay on my chest at night?

Do you understand that your cat doesn’t like to stay alone at home?

So when you come home from work you may see that your four-legged companion is constantly near you and even at night your feline lay on your chest. It’s pretty normal! Such clingy behavior is typical for cats who want to feel secure and protective staying as close to their owners as possible even at night.

Final Thoughts on Why Your Cat Lays on You?

Cats are great creatures who often stand out by their quirky behavior. If you notice that your feline shows much attention to you and often lays on your chest, don’t scold your small furball.

It is the way your cat demonstrates love and communicates with you. Keep that in mind and appreciate your feline.