The cat lies on its chest and purrs

It's helpful for cat parents to know as much as possible about their pet, such as how to best care for a cat, and even what their different behaviors mean—for example, why does a cat lie on a person's chest?

Not many people think about why cats love to lie on people. There are many theories worth discussing when it comes to why your cats like to rest on your chest, limbs, or even your face.

While there are many myths about cats and how they simply use you for room and shelter, they are simply not true. Cats are loving and loyal, and they show their affection in different ways. Some of these include your cat bringing you their toys, following you around, or even, you guessed it, lying on top of you.

Let's dive right into some theories as to why your kitty might want to lay on your chest.

Why does a cat lie on a person's chest?

There are many explanations for this behavior of cats, and you need to take a closer look at your pet to understand which one is the most correct.

There are several explanations for why a cat lies on its chest.

Soft, warm and comfortable

Cats are always drawn to warm places , because their normal body temperature is 1-2 degrees higher than that of humans, and it is much more difficult for them to warm up. When choosing a place to rest or sleep, they will always prefer to sit closer to the heating device or radiator, snuggle up to each other (if there are several cats in the house), and crawl under the blankets.

The cat will comfortably settle down to sleep on its owner's stomach.

For the same reason, heat-loving animals can comfortably settle on the warm and soft belly of their owner, which is an ideal place for a comfortable rest.

Peace of mind guaranteed

In the not so distant past, all domestic cats and cats were predators who, in the wild, were forced to always be on alert.

Despite the fact that cats have nothing to fear in an apartment, they still try to protect themselves as much as possible while sleeping. Being in the closest contact with their owner, they feel as protected as possible and can completely relax.

A cat feels safe next to its owner.

In addition, for cats who like to keep everything that happens in the house under their control, this makes it easier to follow the actions of the owner . That’s why they often settle as close to him as possible, choosing their owner’s chest as their location.

As a painkiller for humans

There is a widespread belief that cats have powerful energy and are able to alleviate ailments in humans.

It's amazing how cats can easily identify a sore spot and lie down on it. In fact, everything is very simple: the temperature of the diseased organ is slightly higher, and more heat emanates from it than from other parts of the body, which attracts cats.

Cats find a sore spot on the owner and lie down on it.

As for the effectiveness of the healing capabilities of cats, they have not been scientifically proven, although many owners claim that pain and spasmodic sensations weaken or completely disappear after their pet has been lying in a sore spot for some time.

There is also an opinion that cats can sense pregnancy in the early stages. Feeling the birth of a new life, cats try to lie down on the woman’s stomach, once again proving that they have the ability to detect the slightest changes in the human body.

Tender feelings of a cat for its owner

Despite the fact that all cats have a firmly established reputation as absolutely selfish animals, nevertheless, many of them can become very attached to their owners. They are sad when they go away for the whole day to work or to do their own business.

To show their love and tenderness, cats lie on the chest of their owners and begin to purr loudly.

Lying on the owner's chest, the cat begins to purr.

In this position, they can sleep peacefully, thereby expressing great trust and devotion.

Extra warmth

This reason is one of the main ones. Cats sleep on humans, and thus additionally warm themselves, and do not care about the owner at all. Domestic purrs are rather selfish creatures, directing their actions to increase their own comfort and create better conditions. It's just how nature designed them.

Purrs can lie down with their owner, climbing under the blanket and warming themselves against his body. Cats often sleep on a person's head. This is also due to the fact that they are looking for additional warmth. The fact is that a person sleeps with his head open and the body directs energy to warm the brain. The blood flow increases, and the owner’s head becomes an excellent “heater”. For the same reason, purrs can nest comfortably on their owner’s belly. This is a soft and comfortable place for the cat to rest.

There is an opinion that cats heal because they can easily find the place where the owner or mistress is in pain. In reality, everything is more prosaic: the temperature of the diseased organ is higher, so the sore spot is the warmest, for this reason cats lie there.

As for the healing abilities of furry cats, there is no scientific evidence for this phenomenon, but many cat lovers claim that if the cat sits on the disturbing place, the pain subsides and the spasms go away.

On a note

If you are allergic to cat fur, it is better to avoid spending time together with your pet.

Of course, such behavior is very disarming, and it is difficult to refuse a beloved cat who intends to settle comfortably on the body of his owner.

But to ensure that such close physical contact does not cause harm to a person, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations :

If your cat has access to the street and often walks there, then it is important to thoroughly clean his paws before letting him in.
The animal must be regularly treated for worms and fleas.
If you are allergic to cat fur, it is better to avoid spending time together with your pet.
You should not let your cat get close to small children, and especially not allow them to sleep in a crib.

Precautions for fungal infections in domestic cats

The disease is anthropozoonotic – that is, transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Children and the elderly, as well as those weakened by other diseases, are most susceptible to infection with the fungus.

Therefore, if there are children, old people or seriously ill people in your house, then of course the most optimal solution would be to isolate the sick animal in another room until it has fully recovered.

If the inhabitants of your apartment are all adults and healthy people, then it will be enough to treat the cat’s skin with ointments, wearing gloves and a mask, carry out daily wet cleaning using antiseptics, iron the fabrics with a hot iron, and wash your hands.

Video about why cats lie on sore spots

Cat lovers know the way these animals sleep on their beloved owner or at his feet. Therefore, owners of furry animals in such situations have a question about what causes this behavior of the animal and whether it is related to the well-being of the person. There is an opinion that a cat goes to bed with a person when the latter’s health deteriorates. Zoological scientists have several more versions on this matter, related to the character and behavior of representatives of the cat family.

Feeling of protection

Cats are predators by nature, and they try to protect themselves while sleeping. Perched on the owner's chest, the cat feels completely safe. In this position they can completely relax. Of course, one should not exclude the tender feelings of animals. They get bored when their owners leave for a long time, and when they meet, they want to show how much they love them. The fluffies are located on the chest and begin to purr loudly with pleasure.

On the owner's chest they can relax and fall asleep peacefully, showing that they trust him infinitely.

This behavior makes cat people soft and unable to refuse their pet. Kittens especially love to sleep on humans. They are used to sleeping in a large company. Now they are owned by both their mother and brothers and sisters. They sleep better near their owner, lying comfortably on the chest.

In addition, fluffies know very well how their owners smell. This is the smell of stability for them. Some people like the owner's perfume, the smell of shampoo or deodorant. Therefore, sleeping on a person is comfortable, warm, safe, and even “aromatherapy” to boot.

What does the desire of cats to sleep on a person mean: popular beliefs and opinions of scientists

Since ancient times, cats have been credited with unusual origins and properties; these animals were treated with reverence and even idolized. Nowadays, furry animals also enjoy constant love among both children and adults.

Cats love to sleep with people, and there are many reasons for this.

Despite their wayward and independent nature, domestic cats will never refuse to purr on their owner’s lap or stomach. And it also happens that a pet regularly climbs into bed with someone in the household and spends the night next to him.

There are many explanations for this predilection of tailed pets - from superstitious speculation to scientifically proven opinions.

If a cat lies down on the owner’s stomach and falls asleep there, this most often indicates the animal’s desire to warm up. And the pet chooses a warmer place for such purposes. And the human body is also good because you can comfortably fit on it.

Cats, like an ultrasound machine, are able to “see” new life in a woman’s stomach

Folk superstitions associate the desire of cats to sleep on a person’s stomach with the “healing abilities” of furry friends, especially if the animal regularly lies down on the same place on the body. Therefore, you need to listen to your intuition and inner feelings. After all, it may happen that a pet “predicts” the onset of an illness.

FOR STRESS AND FATIGUE

Cats can relieve fatigue, stress, migraines, lower blood pressure, and normalize pulse. Long-haired cats are considered excellent psychotherapists and neurologists - Siberian, Angora, Persian, Burmese, Norwegian forest cats, which help people suffering from insomnia, irritability, and depression.

Black cats take twice as much negative energy from a person than cats of other colors. Ginger cats give off positive energy. Cream-colored cats tone up our energy, while blue-gray cats calm us down. White cats are unsurpassed healers in all respects.

Do cats really heal people by lying on them?

What stands out is the ability of cats to relieve pain and stabilize human health.

Thus, popular rumor attributes to pets the ability to cure radiculitis and osteochondrosis, normalize blood pressure and help in the speedy healing of wounds. Moreover, white cats have the greatest healing power, while handsome red cats charge you with vivacity and energy. Gray kitties have a calming “effect”. And black cats are valued for their ability to “take away” negative energy from a diseased organ.

All kinds of cats are needed, all kinds of cats are important!

There is no consensus among scientists on this matter. Most zoologists do not find confirmation of popular beliefs about the special impact of furry friends on human diseases. However, there are scientists who see undoubted benefits for human health in communicating with a cat.

Research conducted by the National University of Therapeutic Influences of Great Britain has confirmed the rumors associated with the healing influence of representatives of the cat family on humans. Thus, it was found that the tailed pets produce a magnetic field comparable in strength to the radiation of medical equipment. Thanks to this property, during long-term communication between a person and his pet, the animal owner’s immunity is strengthened and the risk of developing heart attacks and strokes is reduced.

American scientists also conducted an experiment involving ten thousand volunteers. During the study, zoologists revealed the direct influence of communication with cats on the high life expectancy of purring owners in almost 70% of cases.

It may very well be that popular beliefs about the healing abilities of cats have a basis

The purring of a cat also has undoubted benefits, especially when a person and an animal are sleeping or resting together. Because vibrations from sounds made by a cat at a frequency of up to 45 hertz are similar to ultrasonic effects. Thus, the pet heals both itself and its owner. Indeed, under the influence of low-frequency purring, the healing of damage to the skin and even bones is stimulated. This is confirmed by the scientific observations of bioacoustics specialist Dr. Elisabeth Muchentaller.

It turns out that old wives' tales about cats contain a grain of truth. The purring of cats truly has healing powers.

E. Muchentaller

Report “Biomechanics of the therapeutic effect of purring cats”

Perhaps the most obvious is the ability of cats to provide warmth from their body and thereby help keep the owner warm during a cold or sore throat. In addition, when a person strokes a pet, a natural electrostatic voltage is formed between them, which has a beneficial effect on the healing process.

Video: what a cat can help you heal

FOR DISEASES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Petting cats is also good for digestion. Short-haired or hairless cats (Sphynxes, Siamese, Orientals, Abyssinians, Tonkinese, Korats, Egyptian Mau) are usually better than other breeds in treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

What to remember when falling asleep next to a cat

Owners of furry purrs are unlikely to refuse to fall asleep at least once while stroking their beloved pet. But frequent nighttime spending with a cat in the same bed can result in a number of troubles. Thus, somnologists cite a theory according to which the quality of sleep noticeably deteriorates in those who like to sleep with pets. Because of this, the effectiveness of rest time also decreases. And all because cats by nature are nocturnal animals and can rarely sleep next to their owner until the morning.

Cats may find it difficult to sleep through the night.

Other negative consequences of sleeping together between humans and cats include:

feeling of discomfort. Since in the middle of the night a cat can begin to purr and trample the owner with its paws, and sometimes bite if the animal does not like the behavior of the breadwinner in a dream;
violation of hygiene. An animal living in the same house as a person must be free of parasites - helminths and fleas. In addition, the cat must be washed regularly to avoid the risk of Toxoplasma infection. And yet, despite observing all the “rules of cleanliness,” under no circumstances should a pet be allowed to enter a child’s crib;
the appearance of an allergy to skin particles or animal saliva. Research has shown that the widespread belief that the body has a negative reaction to cat fur has no basis. However, allergies are caused by substances secreted by the endocrine glands of furry animals.

Taking precautions into account, you should take care of creating a warm and soft sleeping place intended for your beloved cat. Perhaps the cozy corner will appeal to the tailed friend and the animal will have fewer reasons to crawl under the blanket with its owner.

Cats are often associated with laziness and the desire to sleep. Which is not surprising, since these pets are in the arms of Morpheus up to 70% of the time. The ancients believed that a place chosen by a cat for sleeping was better to choose for the owners of the house for a night's rest. But sometimes it happens that a furry pet sleeps right on a person, climbing onto his chest, stomach or even head. This behavior is explained by a number of reasons - from the animal’s desire to warm up and bask next to the breadwinner to the demonstration of the cat’s leadership qualities and healing abilities. In any case, it is important to remember precautions and take care of the cleanliness and health of your affectionate purr in advance.

Many of us have noticed that as soon as we get into bed, the cat who had been up to that moment immediately materializes and wants to keep company. The reasons why this independent and narcissistic animal sleeps next to a person, and often on him directly, have mystical and completely material explanations.

Dictionary of cat sounds

Purring - calmness. Dissatisfied purring is a painful sensation. Rumbling is dissatisfaction. Meowing is a greeting and sometimes a request. An intermittent meow, similar to a squeal, is a response to human treatment. Howling is anger. A short cry is fear. Muffled purring, ending with a dissatisfied rumbling - patience has run out. Hissing is a readiness for defense, a warning about this. The restrained purr of a nursing cat is a warning to kittens about possible danger. The same thing, ending with a raised tone - a warning to a person or other creatures not to approach the kittens.

What Science Says

A much more logical explanation for such cat behavior from a scientific point of view:

Trying to choose a warmer place to sleep, the animal chooses a person, since its temperature is much higher than that of surrounding objects.

Cats use humans as big hot water bottles

Lying on the owner's leg, the cat feels completely safe

Little kittens are soothed by the beating of the human heart

There are a number of scientific studies confirmed by experiments and proving the healing abilities of some representatives of the cat tribe. This is quite possible to believe, since there is treatment with dolphins or horses. This method is called pet therapy, zootherapy or animal therapy.

Our cat loves to sleep in bed, and none of the household members may be there anymore. Apparently, she is attracted to some special smell, because she will not leave until the bedding is removed or a blanket appears. At night she can sleep just next to her, without touching her body, but in close proximity.

Lack of attention

Felinologists are not yet able to give a definite answer why murchiks choose a person as a sleeping place. Let's consider all possible reasons for this behavior.

One of the reasons is lack of attention. The cat may tag along, purr, trying to be in contact. Fluffy decides to claim his rights to the person, trying to point out that he and the owner are from the same pack. When a cat climbs on his head, he doesn’t just lie there, but rubs, leaving his scent on him and demanding attention.

Conclusions, generalizations

Many people believe omens to this day, because they were compiled over the years, through observation and collection of information. Some of the popular beliefs are current, while others are on the verge of insanity. Quite a large number of signs are associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The basis of any popular belief was fear of the unknown, and the process of pregnancy and childbirth has not been fully studied to this day.

Scientists and doctors support many signs associated with contacts between cats and pregnant women. There is no clear certainty about what our ancestors were thinking when they said that a pregnant woman should not play with cats, have less contact with them and not clean up their waste products. But it is better to observe all these provisions, because cats are carriers of such a serious disease as toxoplasmosis. This disease in an adult is asymptomatic and does not threaten him in any way, but it poses a very strong threat to the body of a pregnant woman. Its ability to penetrate the placenta can provoke the appearance of various pathologies in the development of organ systems in the unborn child.

Other signs that say that you should not stroke cats with your feet, because this is fraught with nervous disorders, frankly, look like nonsense. In defense of cats, I would still like to note that a woman develops immunity to toxoplasmosis if she has an animal living in her house for several years. And then, not every individual survives the disease. If this is a domestic cat that has been provided with the necessary care, does not walk outside, has received all the necessary vaccinations and is regularly prevented from helminthic infestations, then there is nothing to worry about, such an animal does not pose any danger at all and there is no need to throw it out into the street.

Allergies are a completely different matter. For example, if you consider the sign that you cannot kick a calico cat out of the house if the woman is pregnant, otherwise the baby will not survive. Very often, pregnant women become allergic to the fur and epidermis of their own pet, who has lived with her in the apartment for a long time. This is due to hormonal changes, many years of sensitization of the body to allergens and a decrease in the body’s protective functions. In this case, no matter what the cat is, it must be given away as soon as possible, otherwise the risk that the child will be born with an allergy increases.

There is only one conclusion: if you want to be able to believe in omens, no one forbids you from doing so. But first of all, you need to think about whether this really shouldn’t be done or whether someone came up with such a belief so that a person would not try to find out what he is not supposed to. For example, in order to intimidate expectant mothers, they said that they should not determine the gender of children in advance and buy things for children. But, if you think about it, what will a woman dress her baby in after giving birth if she doesn’t buy him clothes? Every person believes in what it is convenient for him to believe.

Three-color amulet

The largest number of positive prejudices is associated with the tricolor cat, or, as it should be said, tortoiseshell. This is not at all surprising, since previously this color was considered rare, for which it was valued. It was believed that a tricolor cat protects the home, attracts good luck, success and material well-being. That is why in most countries of the world it is believed that if such a cat lies on the belly of a pregnant woman, the baby will be happy and rich.

For example, the Slavs were sure that if a tricolor kitten asks to come into the house where a pregnant woman lives, they must not only let it in, but also tame it. After all, the unborn baby received a protector from evil, and his mother was a talisman. For the same reason, the departure of a tortoiseshell cat foreshadowed trouble and even threatened death for an unborn child.

Is it worth mentioning that the attempts of such a cat to settle on the belly of a pregnant woman were encouraged in every possible way. And today, such a resident of the house is considered an advantage only if the cat was not purchased or given as a gift, but came to the door itself. Supposedly she was sent from above to protect a woman expecting a baby.