If your cat sleeps on your knees, you might be wondering why. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat sleep on my knees? Possible reasons why your cat sleeps on your knees are that you are warm, you make it feel safer, to get attention, it is anxious, or because you are in the spot it likes to sleep in.
There are actually multiple possible reasons why your cat has been sleeping on your knees and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.
Why does my cat sleep on my knees?
Below are a number of possible causes of your cat sleeping on your knees and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
You are warm
The reason might be that your cat finds it comfortable to sleep on your knees. This would be more likely if your cat sleeps on your knees regardless of where you sleep and your cat does not seem to be doing it to get attention from you.
You make it feel safer
Another possible reason is that sleeping on your knees makes your cat feel more secure. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it more when other animals are around or when there is something else that might be causing it to feel anxious.
To get attention
Another possible reason is that your cat is trying to get extra attention from you. This would be more likely if it tends to do it when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it extra attention when it does it.
It is anxious
It could also be the case that your cat has some separation anxiety. This is where it does not like being left alone and the prospect of being left alone causes it to get anxious. This would be more likely if it sleeps on your knees at around the same time that you would normally go out.
You’re in its spot
Another possible cause is that your cat has been doing it because it thinks that you are in its spot. This would be more likely if your cat sleeps on your knees when you sleep in a specific spot and if your cat tends to sleep there when you are not sat there.
Things to consider about your cat sleeping on your knees
Below are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause.
If your cat has always slept on your knees
If your cat has not always slept on your knees, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it could be the case that it started because something caused it to become anxious or because it learned that it is comfortable to sleep on your knees.
What is different when your cat sleeps on your knees
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to sleep on your knees. For example, if your cat tends to do it before you have left home, the cause could be that it has some separation anxiety.
What to do about your cat sleeping on your knees
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It would help to limit reasons why your cat might get fearful when you are not around. Ways to do so could include letting your cat stay in a different room than your dog if you have one or letting your cat stay in a quieter room.
Give your cat other places to sleep
Another option would be to give your cat other places where it can sleep. Perhaps you could try putting a cat bed down for it to sleep in.
Let it do it
If your cat does not seem to be doing it due to any issues, another option would be to simply let your cat continue doing it.
Why is my cat sleeping on me suddenly?
If your cat has started sleeping on your knees suddenly, it might be the case that something has caused it to start getting anxious when it is not with you. Another possible cause is that it learned that you are comfortable or that it gets rewards for sleeping on your knees such as attention.