Why Does My Cat Sleep On The Corner Of My Bed?

Why Does My Cat Sleep On The Corner Of My Bed?

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You may wonder why your cat insists on sleeping on the corner of your bed. Besides, it doesn’t look particularly comfortable, and it is indeed quite perilous! So why does your cat do this, is it normal for cats in general? Should you stop them even? Well, this is all you are going to need to know.

So, why does my cat sleep on the corner of my bed? Cats may sleep on the corner of a bed to have more space and because they feel safer there. Sometimes it’s because your cat is claiming the territory of its own, while other times your cat wants to remain close (but not too close).

With this all in mind, let’s continue to explore these reasons in further detail.

Then, we will move onto what you can do, in response!

Reasons Why a Cat May Sleep On The Corner Of Your Bed

The corner of a bed provides a cat with more space to sleep while also being a safe and warm place to snuggle. Your cat might be guarding you with the doorway in sight – you are part of their territory, and they have the instinct to protect you. Other times they just want to be near the people they love.

They Have More Space

Usually, it’s the corner of the bed that will have the most space for your cat.

They won’t have to deal with arms or legs moving around that could squish them – they can spread out fully and be comfortable.

Cats can see the corner of the bed as a private bed just for their use!

They Feel Safe There

It could be your cat feels safe on your bed.

Cats feel more vulnerable while they sleep – they take cat naps rather than long periods of deep sleep because they need to be on the alert for predators in the wild.

As kittens, cats learn to sleep with their siblings, usually piled on top of each other near their mother for warmth and safety.

This habit of seeking safety in numbers can continue into your cat’s adulthood.

In addition, your bed carries your scent, which your cat loves. Your smell reassures them that they are in a safe place at home.

Wild cats will seek the safest spaces to sleep, and their domestic counterparts often find that their home next to you is the safest place of all.

They Are Claiming Their Territory

Cats are territorial creatures, and it could be your cat has chosen to sleep on the corner of your bed to claim that bed – and you – as its territory.

Often cats will sleep facing away from their people as if they are standing guard over them.

Adorable, right? Yet guarding is a very natural behavior for our feline friends.

In addition, the foot of the bed – near the bottom corners – provides the best vantage point, in most cases, for the doorway.

Cats need to know where their escape routes are in case of danger so that they feel secure.

They Feel Comfortable

Cats seek comfort, whether it’s a soft pillow or a warm spot in the sunshine.

Cats are built to love warmth, as their body temperature is slightly higher than ours (100.5 to 102.5 degrees F).

This doesn’t mean they love extreme heat, though.

While cats can tolerate temperatures from 45 degrees F to 104 degrees F, that doesn’t mean they should.

The ideal temperature for cats ranges from 65 to 75 degrees F.

Cats love absorbing warmth, so a warm bed with comfy blankets is perfect for sleeping.

They Want To Be Close (But Not Too Close)

Contrary to what some people believe, cats bond with us in much the same way as children and dogs.

Although cats are more independent by nature, they do love us, though they sometimes can show that love in different ways depending on their personality.

Some cats prefer the corner of the bed for sleeping, as it means they can still be near their favorite people while having space to move around.

It could be your cat simply wants to sleep near you to enjoy your company!

Is It Normal For Cats To Sleep On The Corner Of The Bed?

Given cats’ protective and territorial natures, it’s normal for many of them to want to sleep on the corner of the bed.

Your Cat’s Survival Instincts

Cats will instinctively want to be near the person who provides them with what they need (food, water, shelter, love).

Your cat wants to be near you because you are the person who provides them with most of what they want.

Despite them wanting to be near you, they also want to be sure they can escape quickly in case of danger.

Cats are hard-wired to remain alert of their surroundings, which is why the corner of the bed is the perfect place to sleep: they can jump off and get away quickly if they need to.

Your Cat’s Protective Instincts

Your cat has a protective instinct – to watch over you so that you don’t come to any harm.

This is why many cats will sleep facing the doorway – it isn’t that they want to turn their backs on us out of a lack of care.

When your cat turns its back on you and snuggles up facing away from you, they’re actually showing you they care so much about you that they don’t want anything to happen to you! Their instinct is to protect you from danger.

Your Cat’s Body Temperature

Your cat regulates its own body temperature by seeking different places to sleep in.

If your cat wants extra warmth, you may find yourself with a cat on your chest or near your head (or on your pillow).

Cats will move away from heat sources when they need to cool down.

By sleeping on the corner of your bed – away from the warmest parts of your body – your cat can regulate its body temperature while enjoying the comfort and security of your presence.

Should You Stop Your Cat From Sleeping On The Corner Of The Bed?

Whether you want to stop your cat from sleeping on the corner of the bed depends on your individual circumstances. Generally, though, if you are both happy, there’s no reason to stop your cat from sleeping there.

Why You Might Want To Stop Your Cat From Sleeping On The Corner of the Bed

Much as we love our cats, there are some situations in which it might not be ideal to have your cat sleep in the corner of your bed:

Your Cat Might Disturb Your Sleep

Even if your cat starts sleeping in the corner, that’s not to say they won’t decide to move around at some point and sleep on your feet or legs.

If you are a light sleeper and find it difficult to fall back asleep, you might find having your furry friend sleeping with you impacts the quality of your sleep, which can cause health problems.

Your Cat Might Get Injured

If you know that you tend to toss and turn at night, you might inadvertently kick or push your cat, and it could get hurt.

This is especially true for cats who are particularly fragile, whether because of their age, an injury, or something else.

Your Bed Will Get Dirtier Faster

You’ll definitely want to clean your sheets more often if you have your cat sleeping with you.

Even if you have an indoor cat, cats can be dust magnets, and some of that can end up on your bed.

It could even be bits of kitty litter stuck to their paws – or leaves if they go outside.

Some Allergies Could Get Worse

If you are allergic to cats, or dust, or anything else your cat might carry on its fur, these allergies could get worse if your cat is sleeping in your bed.

Why You Might Want To Let Your Cat Sleep On The Corner Of The Bed

There are many advantages to letting your cat sleep on the corner of your bed:

Your Cat Is Good Company

It’s proven that cats can help ward off depression and loneliness.

People with cats are even less likely to suffer from heart attacks!

Your Cat Can Help You Fall Asleep

Cats are highly effective stress busters!

The presence of your cat near you at night can help release endorphins and provide you with peace of mind.

Your Bond With Your Cat Will Get Stronger

Allowing your cat to sleep near you helps increase the bond between the two of you.

Your cat will feel safer around you and will trust you more, which will lead them to wanting to spend time with you at other times throughout the day.

How To Help Your Cat Feel Most Comfortable When Sleeping on Your Bed

There are several things you can do to help your cat feel most comfortable when sleeping on your bed.

Make Your Bed A Calm Refuge

Make sure your cat sees your bed as a safe place. Try bringing some of your cat’s toys into your bedroom and play with them there.

Keep dogs and other animals out of your bedroom if you want your cat to be comfortable.

Most cats don’t like sharing the bed with other animals (though there are exceptions).

Make sure your bedroom is quiet and peaceful. Keep noisier activities to other parts of your home so that your cat knows that your bedroom is a sanctuary that they can retreat to at any time.

You can make your bed as comfortable as possible for your cat by:

  • Having a very soft blanket or comforter on the bed.
  • Letting sunlight stream onto your bed.
  • Keeping your bedroom warm – you can even make it the warmest spot in the house so your cat starts taking naps there.

Try Moving The Cat Bed To Your Bed

If your cat has been accustomed to sleeping in a cat bed, you can try first moving it to your bedroom.

If your cat is still happy to sleep in it there, then try moving it to the corner of your bed.

Make these changes gradually and give your cat time to adjust to each step, as cats dislike change (they are creatures of habit).

If your cat sleeps on a blanket, put the blanket on your bed. The familiar smells can reassure your cat that your bed is a safe space.

You can even spend time in your bed with your cat at other times of day (for cuddles, for instance) so that your cat sees your bed as a good place to be.

Put A Bedtime Routine In Place

As mentioned above, cats love routine, so put a bedtime routine in place to reassure your cat and get them ready for sleep:

  1. Half an hour before bedtime, play with your cat so that they’ll be tired and ready to rest
  2. Feed your cat a small meal after playtime – this playing-then-eating schedule mimics how cats hunt in the wild
  3. Your cat should naturally curl up to go to sleep!

Finally

Its another quirk of the cat – sleeping on the edge of the bed.

Rest assured, as strange as it may seem, it is actually quite normal.

But whether you want to try and change that will ultimately come down to context.

Hopefully by now, and by reading this article today, you will know when and why.

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