Last Updated: 3 months ago
No matter how perfect your human-feline relationship is, at some point, you may find yourself asking, “Why won’t my cat sleep with me anymore?”
To anyone who is not a feline fanatic, an owner sleeping with a cat may appear to be utter madness.
But we understand that napping together helps you form a deeper bond with your cat, so it’s concerning when kitty suddenly snubs you.
So let’s dive in and discover why your cat suddenly stopped sleeping with you.
Why Won’t My Cat Sleep with Me Anymore?
There isn’t just one straight-forward answer to the question, “Why won’t my cat sleep with me?”
Even after centuries (millennia, even) of domestication, much about cat behavior is still a mystery.
Still, based on research and decades of cat ownership, we’ve come up with a few plausible ideas.
1. You fidget in your sleep
I’m sure you’ve shared a bed with an active sleeper at some point in your life. Being kicked while you’re trying to catch forty winks is no fun at all.
Now imagine it from your cat’s perspective. If you move your arms or legs a lot or frequently roll over in your sleep, your cat is in for quite the rollercoaster ride.
Rather than be launched off the bed or squashed by your body, your cat may end up sleeping on your head or seeking out a safe spot for a night of uninterrupted sleep.
2. It’s too hot or cold
Cats don’t share the same ideal body temperature as humans. A room that is comfortable for you to sleep in may be too hot or cold for your cat.
Cats laying on you may be a sign that they are cold and uncomfortable, so you might notice this while you’re all cozy under the covers.
Conversely, on a hot night, your body heat makes it even harder for your cat to stay cool under all that fur.
3. Your bed isn’t high enough
Quite simply, cats love to be up high. It’s an instinct that they have inherited from their wild ancestors.
High places are a safe haven for your cat; somewhere, the dog and other troubles can’t reach her.
Cats are most vulnerable when they’re asleep, so if Kitty doesn’t think your bed is high enough, she may not feel safe sleeping there.
4. Your bed is too high
On the other hand, if your cat is elderly, injured, or unhealthy, she may not be able to jump onto your bed.
So, it may be less a case of why I won’t and more a case of why I can’t have my cat sleep with me anymore.
5. Something scared her
If something shocked your cat while she was sleeping on your bed, she might have decided to avoid that spot for a while.
Cats remember what happened there, both good and bad, so a change of sleeping spot may just be for peace of mind.
6. She doesn’t like to share
Do you have other pets that also like to sleep on your bed or have recently started doing so?
While they get along during the day, your cat may not like the idea of sharing her sleeping quarters with another cat or dog.
7. She found an upgrade
Don’t be offended, but your cat may have found a nice spot where she prefers to sleep. We’re talking better by cat standards, though.
So her new favorite spot could be anywhere from a cozy cat bed to a cardboard box in the garage.
Maybe she even has a few favorite sleeping spots she likes to move between.
Check out this video to also learn why cats like to lay on the floor.
6 Tips On How to Make Your Cat Sleep With You Again
1. Consider a cat bed
Sometimes it’s better to take baby steps. The next best thing to having your cat sleep on the bed with you is to have her sleep in your room.
A cat tree with a bed gives your cat her own space and keeps her off the floor, helping her to feel safe.
With a regular cat bed, you can gradually move it closer until you can put Kitty’s bed on yours as a way to encourage her.
2. Create Space
The key to success when it comes to sleeping with a cat is for both of you to be comfortable.
By giving you and your cat sufficient space, you both have room to move without disturbing one another.
In an ideal world, you could buy a bigger bed to keep everyone happy. But even removing a few unused pillows and cushions can help.
3. Adjust the temperature
If you think your cat has abandoned you due to the room temperature, try to do something that makes her more comfortable.
In cold weather, this could be as simple as giving her a warm blanket to nestle into or making sure there’s no draft coming in.
On hot nights, see if a fan or air conditioning helps you both stay more comfortable.
4. Address height issues
If your cat is struggling to get onto the bed, there are some options you can consider.
There are loads of pet steps available to help your kitty make her way up and down from your bed independently.
If you think your cat wants to be higher up, try letting her sleep on a pillow or two. It should add a few extra inches of height.
5. Routine and Reward
It can help if you get your cat into a nighttime routine.
Keep her active during the day, give her a meal in the evening, and then have a final play with her as she follows you into the bedroom.
If your cat follows you onto the bed, reward her with food like a salmon cat treat so she has a positive association with the experience.
6. Don’t push it
I know you came here asking, “How can I get my cat to sleep with me again?”
But the last thing you want to do is cause your cat stress by forcing her to do something she doesn’t want to.
It’s best to take a gradual and considerate approach to entice your cat back to your bed. Or you may just have to accept that she wants to sleep somewhere else.
FAQs
IS IT MEAN TO NOT LETTING MY CAT SLEEP WITH ME?
No, it doesn’t mean that if you decide that you don’t want your cat to sleep with you, there are many valid reasons for not wanting to share your bed with your cat. You deserve a good night’s restful sleep.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF MY CAT SLEEPS WITH ME EVERY NIGHT?
It means your cat loves you, trusts you, and wants to be close to you. Your cat may also be sleeping with you for warmth from your body and because she feels safer around you.
Why won’t my cat sleep at night?
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk, as these are the best times to hunt. Also, if your cat is home alone during the day, she likely spends a lot of that time sleeping.
Why won’t my cat sleep on my bed?
There could be many reasons why your cat refuses to sleep on your bed. For senior cats and kittens, it could be too high. For younger cats, it could be too low for their liking.
My cat never sleeps with me, Why?
The reasons why your cat never sleeps with you could range from not liking your bed to simply preferring to sleep alone. It rarely has anything to do with you personally, so don’t be offended!
Conclusion
You asked, “Why won’t my cat sleep with me anymore?” As a cat owner, I’ve been there, so I was keen to answer this one for you.
We discovered it has nothing to do with your cat no longer loving you and everything to do with your cat’s comfort and other practical reasons.
Sleeping with a cat on your feet can be comforting.
But if you move a lot of other environmental factors that make your cat uncomfortable, she’s likely to go elsewhere to sleep.
Review the points in this article to see if you can figure out what would make your cat more comfortable, and then find a way to make it happen!
Resources:
Barry Stingmore is a British content creator living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats. Barry works with the island’s animal charities to help manage and care for feral and abandoned animals. Alongside fieldwork, he works to support the charities with fundraising and raising awareness.
