If you are a cat lover like me, you would definitely agree with me—cats are strange animals, and very cute at that. There are several ways that cats attract you with their antics. One such behavior I find very cute and loving is the way cats cover their faces with their paws. Ever wonder why they do it?
I researched this behavior and found some interesting facts about the cat’s sleeping positions.
Cats cover their faces when they sleep for a variety of reasons. They may do so for warmth, security and comfort, to avoid light disturbing them, or to protect their sensitive organs, like whiskers, from being cut or damaged.
Why do Cats Cover their face when they sleep?
There are a host of reasons that may make the cat cover his face with his paws. Let us explore a few of these possible reasons, on why does your cat cover his face when he sleeps.
Sense of security
In the wild, cats tend to be both predators and prey. While they hunt mice, birds and several such animals, they are also hunted by large animals like wolves, dogs and leopards.
Since a cat is vulnerable in a sleeping position, it will invariably want to be secure. That is why they tend to sleep in higher-up places; cats have pretty faces, so they want to hide them from predators.
Blocking the light
Cats love sleeping in warm environments, such as the sun or near a light source. However, in such cases, they may be looking for ways to block the light from disturbing their sleep.
Like humans, cats use their paws to cover their faces while they sleep. My cat, for instance, does that when the curtains are open when it sleeps during the day. She simply asks us to close the curtains!
A comfortable position to sleep
Comfort may be an excellent reason why the cat sleeps with its face covered with its paws. Every cat has a different way of sleeping comfortably, and covering its face with paws can be an excellent way for most of them.
Some studies say that covering one’s face can help the cat get into a deep sleep cycle immediately. It helps them conserve more energy and have a restful sleep.
Note – Cats also use several ways to hide their face when sleeping. Covering their face with paws is one of them. They also bury their face into their chests. You may also find them hiding their face into their bedding. You do not need to be worried if you notice any of these behaviours. These are all prevalent behaviors that cats typically manifest.
Avoiding getting distracted
Cats do not wish to get distracted when they sleep. One excellent way to do this is to cover their faces with paws. In fact, their whiskers are very sensitive to their surroundings, and covering them can help them get a sound sleep.
Covering the face will help them minimize the risk of getting startled by the outside surroundings. This will help you maintain optimal comfort during sleep.
They are exhausted
Your cat may be tired and looking not to be disturbed when it sleeps. It does not want to stay awake for longer, so it covers its face with its paws.
Sometimes, they may be busy in their grooming session and fall asleep during the process. It may be a position that they doze off and stay in as it becomes a pretty comfortable position for better sleep.
It may be a way to keep their nose warm.
Retaining body temperature is also important for a cat. Covering the face is one of the best ways to help your cat maintain it.
Since noses tend to get wet and lose heat, they use their paws to warm their little noses.
In Conclusion
So, next time you find your cat sleeping with its face covered with its paws, you know why it is doing so. The primary reasons are the security it provides them and the blockage of light from disturbing it.
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