Sometimes, my cat will lay down next to me or put his head in my lap while I am doing something. He does this when he wants attention or if he is hungry or thirsty.
It happens mostly at night when I get up to go to the bathroom or for a drink of water. It can be kind of funny to watch!
Why do cats do these things? They need to feel close to you to understand how important they are to you.
Your love makes them happy and gives them strength.
If your kitty doesn’t see you spending time with other people or animals, she may become lonely and sad. This could cause health problems.
She might also develop behavioral issues like aggression towards other pets or people.
This article will talk about some reasons why your cat may want to be closer to you. You should try to give her such opportunities whenever possible so that she feels comfortable being around others.
They want a hug
If your cat is laying next to you, it may be wanting a little cuddle or maybe even an extra kiss. Either way, it’s totally okay!
Some cats are very affectionate and love being licked, stroked, and hugged. Others might feel uncomfortable with that so they don’t like it as much.
However, most older cats need some human attention once in a while to know how to connect with other animals and humans.
They can get scared when people are not familiar with them, so they avoid direct contact unless they are comfortable with you. This is what makes it seem like your cat doesn’t like you- he just needs time to warm up.
Don’t worry about your cats feelings – only ever interact with them if you both agree and there’s no one else around. Even if you think they look cute with every passing glance, chances are someone will tell you off for teasing their friend.
If you do decide to give your cat a gentle pat or rub, make sure it feels natural and nice. Use your hands and try rolling him onto his back to see if he enjoys that more.
They are grooming themselves
This is one of the most common reasons why your cat will lay on you or try to climb onto you. He/she may be trying to groom themselves, which can look funny because they spend lots of time doing that.
Some cats develop super thick fur so they feel tired and need to relax by rubbing it off against something softer. This seems to work for them!
Don’t get mad – this is just part of their natural behavior. Don’t take it as a sign that your cat doesn’t like you anymore. It’s probably just curiosity.
They are trying to keep you warm
Sometimes, when you’re sitting somewhere doing something, your dog or cat will get close to you and then they’ll lay down next to you. This is called social grooming.
It’s a nice way for them to say, “I’m here for you” by laying beside you so that you can cuddle with them. It may even be their way of telling you that you need some sleep too!
This can happen if you’re both looking at a book or movie together, or if you’re both lying down after playing outside.
Why does this happen?
Social grooming happens because some dogs and cats feel insecure or uncomfortable being left alone. If someone else is around, they want more human attention or contact than they normally would.
For example, if you’re reading this article, it means that the person writing it wants your attention.
They are trying to use your energy
Sometimes, when you’re sleeping or just lying down, your body is no longer using up enough energy. Yours might be more awake than usual due to a lot of activity, for example.
A cat’s laying on you can mean one of two things.
The first is that they want some company. Maybe their roommate was left alone earlier and they wanted to play with them. Or maybe they aren’t getting as much attention as they need and they want to be loved.
The second is that they don’t like you.
Usually, if a dog or other animal doesn’t like you, they will try to avoid being close to you or even walk away. A cat that lies on top of you isn’t trying to get closer, though.
It’s almost as if they want to use your energy. Like how someone could sleep next to a pool and hope you dive in so they can watch the fireworks. Only instead of firework sizzling, it’s furry fur.
They are passing a drug
As your cat is laying next to you, she may be trying to tell you something about her health. If this happens frequently or is particularly noticeable, it is best to pay attention.
Some things that can cause your dog or cat to become lethargic or uninterested in activity include:
Unevenly rising and falling of fur
Thinned out hair or no hair at all
Difficulty getting up or standing up
Weak muscles when moving
Changes in behavior like aggression towards other pets or people
Visible weight loss
If your pet seems reluctant to play or interact with others, try to see them earlier than normal and notice if they look tired. Also, make sure their sleeping area is clean and comfortable.
It is important to rule out any medical conditions before assuming it is just stress from life. Certain diseases cannot be detected without symptoms, so do not assume it is stress until we know for certain that there is risk.
They are trying to get you to scratch their back
Sometimes, while petting or kissing your cat, they will push themselves away with one paw and then lay down on that foot. This is called rolling over or laying on roll-over behavior.
The reason this happens is because cats like to be scratched in specific areas of their body. It feels good!
If your cat has never rolled over before, don’t worry about it. Most kittens and adult cats learn how to do it within the first few weeks.
Take care not to pull too hard on the fur when scratching as this could hurt them. For older cats, make sure to use a gentle hand.
Once you have mastered doing it for yourself, try giving some scratches to your cat.
They are trying to get you to pick up their waste
When your cat wants help cleaning her or his paws, body, or face, she/he usually does it by laying down next to you and asking politely.
Why do cats sometimes lay down next to you? Almost always they want your attention!
Some of the time, cats need help grooming themselves. For example, if you see lots of hair all over the place, then they probably needed some lukewarm water and a good brush to clean themselves.
Other times, like when they scrape off dried saliva, they may just want someone to hold them for a while until they feel more relaxed.
But what if this isn’t the case? What if instead, their behavior is very strange?
It’s totally normal for dogs to try to get you to play with them, but something about this kitty seems different.
They are trying to get your attention
As mentioned before, when a cat lies down next to you, they are usually trying to gain your attention or feel close to you. This is their way of showing love!
Many people have heard about the myth that if you try to pick up a sleeping cat, it will wake up and be more careful for future encounters. That isn’t true at all!
Cats enjoy being lain on and slept next to and even look forward to this happening every night. It helps them sleep better and feels good for them- so don’t worry!
If you must get up, there are some easy ways to do so without waking the cat. You can roll away slowly, tiptoe out, or just sit in a comfortable position and push yourself up.