Why does my cat cover her face when she sleeps?
Cats often sleep in various funny positions, but there’s nothing more adorable than a cat covering its cute face with paws.
So, let’s learn more about this curious cat behavior and discover some exciting cat sleeping facts.
READ MORE: Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Chest in the Middle of the Night??
Why Do Cats Cover Their Faces When They Sleep?
As specialists explain, “more than half of cats sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day.”(1)
So, it’s not surprising cats have mastered the art of napping and have many cute sleeping positions to rest during the night/day.
But why do cats cover their faces when sleeping? Is it a normal feline behavior?
In most cases, cats hide their faces with paws or tails to preserve warmth, block the light, or get comfortable. To interpret the behavior the right way, you should consider your cat’s whole body language.
So, let’s talk in detail about all the reasons cat hide their faces when sleeping and how to tell what’s going inside your cat’s sleepy mind.
#1 Retaining Heat
Usually, cats curl in a ball and cover their face with paws or tails when they’re cold. It’s an attempt to retain as much body heat as possible and conserve the energy they need for other activities.
Cats don’t like being cold because it’s harder for their bodies to maintain core temperature, and they burn off too much energy.
In the wild, staying as warm as possible without spending too much energy is vital for the cat’s survival. Otherwise, they won’t have the strength to hunt and find food.
So, cats sunbathe in the garden, cuddle next to you at night, curl into a small ball, or see an external heat source (the radiator).
Moreover, your cat’s nose, paws, and tails are the first body parts to lose heath. Can you imagine having a good nap with a cold nose or feet?
So, it makes sense that your kitty curls as much as possible to stay warm, especially in cold weather or during the winter.
In the summer, you’re less likely to see your cat in this position because the weather is warm, and hiding its face will make your kitty too hot.
ALSO READ: Why Cat Loves Belly Rubs?
#2 Blocking the Sun
It’s tough for some people to sleep soundly and peacefully with lights turned on. The same thing is valid for your feline friend.
And while people have various ways to block the light, cats don’t have the luxury of using sleeping masks or pillows to deal with the discomfort.
As such, some cats cover their faces to keep the sun rays or other sources of light from bothering them. And when the paws and tails aren’t enough, cats will get up and move to a darker location.
You can help your cat sleep better by using some blackout curtains to keep the room dark and cozy.
#3 Sense of Security
Cats are both predators and prey. As such, they’re hardwired to seek a secure and comfortable place to nap during the night/day where they can let their guard down.
Curling into a ball turns your cat into a tiny target, making it less likely for predators to notice them and allowing them to fit into a small space.
Moreover, the face is one of the vulnerable parts of the cat’s body. A direct attack on the face can result in a scratched eye and incapacitate your cat for days.
So, cats cover their face when sleeping when they want a little bit of extra security and safety.
Of course, domestic cats don’t have to look out for predators, but sudden changes in the house can make your cat anxious and afraid.
As such, curling and covering the face can be signs of stress in cats, especially if your cat’s behavior seems weird or obsessive.
Interestingly, some cats will bury their heads in blankets or a laundry basket for the same reason. Even though their bodies are mostly visible, they still feel better when no one can see or reach their heads.
#4 Comfort
Most cats cover their faces when snoozing because it’s a comfortable sleeping position. Think about it for a moment.
Like their owners, cats have favorite sleeping positions. Some felines like sleeping in the loaf position, while others sprawl on the sofa or cuddle next to you on the bed.
As such, some cats love curling into a ball to hide their face with their tail or paws. It makes your kitty feel safe, protected, and secure.
#5 Blocking Out the Noise
Do you know how sensitive your cat’s sense of hearing is? As a study explains, “the cat is one of the most accurate sound localizers” (2 )able to hear very high-pitch sounds.
This superb sense of hearing allows cats to detect other animals – threats or prey – from a great distance and hear you opening the fridge even when they’re in the back of the house or deep sleep.
However, such a strong hearing means the slightest noise can disturb your cat’s peaceful nap and put them on high alert. Imagine how uncomfortable it is to sleep when you can hear everything!
So, when your feline friend doesn’t feel up to checking the noise, cats cover their face when sleeping to block the noise.
#6 Not in the Mood to Move
All cats spend the better part of their day licking and cleaning their magnificent fluff. Grooming takes a lot of effort, so some cats frequently fall asleep in the middle of a grooming session.
So, sometimes cats cover their faces when sleeping because they’re too tired to move into a more comfortable position. And when the cat wakes up, they can get back to grooming right away!
#7 Not Feeling Well
Cats tend to hide in tight spaces and curl into a ball when they’re ill. They feel vulnerable and want to avoid the attention of larger animals or their human owners.
So, sometimes when cats cover their faces, they’re saying, “I don’t feel so well. Don’t bother me anymore!”
Fortunately, face covering isn’t a typical sign of an illness. Still, if your cat’s behavior seems off and it shies from your touch, you should bring it up to your vet.
#8 Go Away!
Sometimes when I want to move my cat out of bed, she curls into a tight ball, covers her face with her tails, and fakes being in a deep sleep.
The position says, “Don’t you seem that I’m sleeping? Go away!” It’s a cute trick that always gets my cat what she wants.
So, cats sometimes hide their faces because you’re bothering them too much, and they want you to leave them alone.
Check out this funny video!
How Do Cats Sleep? 7 Shocking Facts
As you can see, cats cover their faces when sleeping for various reasons. To help you better understand your cat’s sleeping behavior, let’s learn some interesting facts about how cats sleep.
#1 Cats Are Crepuscular
Many people believe cats are nocturnal animals because they love to run around the house in the middle of the night. But they are crepuscular creatures.
Cats are most active in the hours before dawn and dusk, the perfect time to catch rodents and other small animals unaware and avoid bigger predators from attacking.
Moreover, snoozing during the day allows cats to save their energy for hunting mice or searching for food during the night.
READ: Why Does My Cat Purr All the Time?
#2 Cats Don’t Sleep Deeply
While cats sleep up to 18 hours a day, they don’t spend the whole time deeply asleep. Instead, cats alternate between deep sleep and dozing.
As specialists explain, “Deep sleep tends to last about five minutes, after which the cat goes back to dozing.” (3)This pattern repeats until the cat is ready to wake up and pester you for food.
In this way, cats are ready to spring into action when they sense something interesting happening in the surrounding area, such as detecting mice squeaking.
Short naps also allow your cat to converse its energy, which is vital because hunting for food or playing is very energy-consuming.
So, even if your cat is covering her face when she sleeps, don’t assume your kitty isn’t alert enough to hear you opening the tuna can.
#3 Cats Dream
Have you ever seen your cat twitch or move while sleeping and make weird growling sounds? It’s nothing scary – your cat is just dreaming.
As it turns out, cats have similar sleep stages to ours and are likely to experience dreams during the REM stage of the sleep cycle.
However, specialists still can’t say what cats dream about or if they dream in the same way humans do. But likely, cats dream about their day-to-day activities.
So, the next time you see your cat covering her face when she sleeps and making weird moves, they might be dreaming about chasing toys or mice.
#4 Cats Can Adjust to Your Sleeping Routine
While cats are crepuscular creatures, they can adjust their circadian rhythm to match your sleep schedule and routines.
So, your cat won’t always run like crazy in the middle of the night or wake up in the wee hours screaming for food. They will settle and go to sleep when you go to bed and get up with you in the morning.
However, it takes time for your kitty to learn your schedule and adapt its napping sessions to it. And you can employ plenty of tactics to get your cat to sleep at night and not bother you.
#5 Bad Weather Makes Cat Sleep More
Have you ever noticed that your cat sleeps more during the winter months or becomes less active when it’s cold?
Cats don’t get sad and depressed on rainy days, but cold weather requires more energy to keep up their core temperature.
So, most cats prefer napping for the best part of the day and hiding their faces to preserve energy for important business, such as eating and grooming.
#6 Cats Change Sleeping Places
Have you noticed that your cat sleeps several days in one place and then moves to another? It’s part of your cat’s preservation instinct.
Changing sleeping areas is the best way to avoid predators or prevent you from waking the cat from a deep sleep.
So, don’t be surprised that your cat doesn’t spend much time napping in the cool cat bed you’ve provided and prefers curling in the sink with a paw over their faces.
#7 Cats Like to Bury Their Face in Blankets
Usually, cats use their tail or paws to cover their faces when sleeping. However, some felines will bury their heads in a heap of blankets or your arms.
You’re very fortunate if your cat likes to snuggle in your arms in this way. It shows that your kitty loves you very much and feels so at ease with your presence that it can let its guard down.
Why Does My Cat Cover Her Face When She Sleeps: FAQs
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s normal for your cat to cover her head she sleeps. Your kitty is likely seeking extra warmth, security, and safety.
So, while it’s hard to resist petting your cat when you see her asleep and hiding her face with a paw or a tail, you shouldn’t disturb your cat’s peace. Or you can spook your cat and lose their trust.
And if you’re worried about your cat sleeping more than usual or hiding their faces due to pain, you should speak with your vet as soon as possible.
References
- 1. How Long Do Cats Sleep? . Sleep Foundation. 2021. Available from: //www.sleepfoundation.org/animals-and-sleep/how-much-do-cats-sleep
- 2. Tavernier C, Ahmed S, Houpt KA, Yeon SC. Feline vocal communication. Journal of Veterinary Science . 2020;21. Available from: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7000907/
- 3. Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? | petMD . Petmd.com. 2016. Available from: //www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/evr_ct_why_do_cats_sleep_so_much
What do you think about these 8 reasons why cats cover their faces when they sleep? How does your cat like to sleep? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
I’ve grown up surrounded by animals – dogs, cats, cows, goats, sheep, and horses and that has shaped me into what I am today – a crazy cat lady who always has a place for one more cat (or a dog). I’ve got two female cats – Kitty and Roni, and two tomcats – Blacky and Shaggy, but I also feed my neighbors’ cats when they come for a visit. I just can’t say no to them.
I discovered that writing is my vocation early in my school years. Since then I’ve taken part in several literature contests – writing horror and fantasy short stories and novellas.
For the past three years, I’ve been an ELS teacher, pouring my heart into showing children and teenagers how important English is for their future and trying to educate them how to treat their pets with care.
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