Why Do Cats Sleep Near Their Owners' Heads? The Mystery That Will Make You Rethink Your Relationship

Every night, your cat curls up next to your pillow and you fall asleep to the sound of his soft purring.

But what really makes him choose this particular place?

Scientists and cat owners have puzzled over this mystery for decades.

The answer, it turns out, lies in a complex interweaving of instincts, emotions, and even physiology.

Dr. Mikel Delgado , a behaviorist at the University of California, found in her study for the journal Animal Behavior that cats rely on warmth and smell.

The human head area emits the maximum amount of heat and also contains unique pheromones that pets perceive as a safety marker.

"For a cat, the owner's scent is a signal: this is a place to relax," explains Delgado.

But there is another theory. Veterinarian Elena Sokolova , author of a blog about cat psychology, notes:

"In the wild, cats sleep in groups, huddled together to protect themselves from predators. Your head is part of the 'pack' to them."

An interesting experiment was conducted at the University of Lincoln : cats were offered a choice of several objects with the smell of their owner and strangers.

In 89% of cases, the animals chose “their” scent and lay down next to it.

The owner of Maine Coon Archie from Novosibirsk, Tatyana , confirms:

"He only sleeps on my pillow, even if I move. It's like it's his territory."

But not everything is so clear-cut. Zoo psychologist John Bradshaw warns in his book "Cat Secrets": if a cat persistently climbs on your face, this may be a sign of overprotection.

"They try to monitor your breathing to make sure you're alive," he jokes.

However, most experts agree that such behavior is the highest form of trust.

What to do if your cat is preventing you from sleeping? Canine specialist (yes, there are such for cats!) Maria Zorina advises gradually accustoming your pet to a bed at the head of your bed.

“Put your T-shirt there—the smell will calm the cat and stop him from climbing on the pillow,” she recommends.

And if your pet is sleeping next to your face, enjoy the moment: in the cat world, this is the equivalent of a hug.