Cats, being adorable pets, often seek comfortable and secure places for sleeping, and your clothes serve this purpose perfectly. It’s not just to create a mess; they lay on the owner’s clothes because they find comfort in your scent, which provides them with a sense of safety and familiarity.
Reasons for this Cat Behavior
Your Cat Wants Comfort
When your cat chooses to sleep on top of your nicely folded laundry, it’s not just for the purpose of spreading their thin fur around the home. Instead, when your cat lies on your clothes, it’s a sign of love and trust. They find your scent both calming and familiar, showing an affectionate bond, especially when you’re not around. If they search out your clothes when unwell, it’s because they seek comfort in your scent. It’s a common practice among cats, finding solace in the familiar, which eases their discomfort.
Stability
Stability and familiarity are key reasons why cats enjoy laying on their owner’s clothes. Each cat has specific likes and dislikes, often gravitating towards comfortable textures and materials. Your clothes, typically soft and warm, offer a sense of reassurance and stability, answering the unspoken questions about safety and comfort in their environment.
- What does the material feel like?
- What is the weather like?
- Is this piece of clothing important to them?
Cats often become attached to things they use from a young age, like kittens associating the scent of their mother with good memories and positive feelings. Sleeping on your clothes might be their way of connecting with you, attributing you as a parental figure in their life.
How to Make Your Cat Feel Secure?
To make your cat feel secure, especially if it’s their first time in a new home or they’ve just been adopted, provide materials and safe spaces that are comfortable and homey. Adding toys and a familiar blanket or an object dear to them, like a raised baby blanket, can introduce a sense of stability and security in the surroundings. This step helps reduce confusion and anxiety as they associate these items with safety, making the transition to their new home smoother for both cat and owner.
Veterinarians Recommend: Veterinarians often recommend creating a cat comfort corner in homes, as corners provide stability and a sense of protection. Cats can lean against the walls without feeling trapped from the other side, offering a secure and comfortable space for them.
Making a Cat Corner
Making a cat comfort corner in your home is surprisingly easy. First, identify an open area that your cat likes best; often, a corner with a lack of furniture or open space works well. This space provides comfort and can ease anxieties. In the right corner, place a blanket carrying the scent of the owner and some favorite toys. This helps your cat understand and use the area, establishing a sense of familiarity. You can also add catnip to make the space more happy and exciting for your cat.
Why Does My Cat Lay On My Clothes: 4 Common Reasons?
Cats are notorious sleepers, often spending most of the day in a nap. As a pet owner, you might have noticed your felines choosing the craziest sleeping positions and napping in the weirdest corners of the house. Among these habits, one that particularly stands out is their fondness for sleeping on a pile of clothes. Have you ever wondered why they lay there or switch spots so often? I must admit, I was confused too, so I decided to do some research. After reading various stories, research papers, and articles, I’ve found the answer and am here to share it with you. If you’re wondering about your feline’s behavior, knowing these reasons can help prevent habits like having to wear clothes covered in fur.
Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Clothes?
If you’ve ever found your feline attached to your clothes, you might wonder why they don’t just stick to their own bed. This behavior is more interesting than you might think. In the following sections, we’ll explore six core reasons behind this curious cat habit.
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To Work Out Where You’ve Been
Your clothes carry a distinct scent that your cat can pick up. These scents on your clothing, whether from outside, nature, people, or animals you’ve met in your travels, provide your cat with a way to interpret your behavior and know you’re back home. They might inspect your clothes several times, using their fine-tuned sense of smell to perceive these scents separately and gain information. This behavior goes up to the point where even smells of detergents, deodorants, or perfumes become intriguing. Your furry friend is trying to figure out where you came from, covering themselves in your comforting, familiar smell by sleeping on your clothes. This is their way of gaining access to information about you, a prime example of the phrase, “curiosity killed the cat.”
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To Ease Stress & Anxiety
Though cats may seem distant or cold, they are actually quite sensitive creatures that get stressed easily. This stress can be caused by anything from a small change in routine to different cat food. On the other hand, more permanent or major changes like moving home can also cause stress, which may manifest in various ways, such as being more hide, scared, or anxious than usual, or becoming overly affectionate. If your cat suddenly spooked, seeks comfort, and follows you everywhere, sleeps on your clothes is a likely reason. When you’re busy doing other things, your scent on the clothes can provide the reassurance your cat needs. They might sleep on your clothes as a substitute for curling up on your lap, finding it a safe space to help deal with what’s causing their stress.
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Your Cat Has Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety in cats is a common stress-related reason that causes them to sleep on your clothes. This happens when they are stressed out every time you leave the house, finding comfort in the smell of your clothes, whether clean or dirty. It’s important for pet owners to recognize the symptoms and deal with this issue in a healthy way. If your cat won’t lay anywhere else when you’re home, follows you around, or meows when you pick up your keys, it’s a sign they’re stressed out. When you come home, felines often meow to tell you they were missing you, asking where you were, or even begging you not to leave again.
Other signs of separation anxiety include:
- Your cat urinates on your clothes or your bed when you’re away
- Your cat will be destructive and scratch excessively at your carpet and furniture
- Your cat might self-groom excessively as a coping mechanism
- Your cat will meow loudly and excessively, both day and night
Separation anxiety in cats is not a sign of bad pet parenting, so there’s no need to beat yourself up. Often, cats with previous traumatic experiences may become fearful of being abandoned. This is especially true for those left on the streets or alone at a young age, or separated early from their mothers. It’s a common issue in cats that live indoors and are closely bonded to one human, particularly in female cats. Stressful changes like a new owner, new house, or a new schedule can exacerbate this anxiety, as changes in the owner’s schedule can be particularly unsettling for them.
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To Mark Their Territory
Cats are natural bosses who like to mark their territory. Beyond spraying, they also rub their faces on items around the house, leaving their smell as a territorial mark. Laying on your clothes is another way for them to claim them as their own, especially if they are clean or washed and carry an unfamiliar smell. This behavior becomes more pronounced when they have met different people or you’ve cuddled other animals. By placing their subtle scent on your clothing, they reassure themselves of their presence in your shared home. When their territorial instincts kick in, feeling infringed upon, your feline rushes to sleep on your clothes to transfer their unique smell onto the material.
Cat Laying On My Clothes and Marking Its Territory
Cats are notorious for their desire to claim ownership of various things, be it a sunny spot by the window, a specific chair in the living room, or a pile of dirty laundry. Felines have a unique way of giving off scents to mark their territory, and this behavior extends to your owner’s clothes. When your cat is laying on these clothes, it’s not just seeking comfort; it’s actively mixing its scents with yours. This behavior is a way to show closeness and strengthen the bond with their human. It might seem strange to us, but for them, it’s a natural expression of their connection and presence in your life.
Other Reasons Cats Lay On Clothes
Beyond the more apparent reasons, cats often lie on piles of clothes because they are warm and comfortable. Imagine the irresistible coziness of fresh clothes straight from the dryer. Garments are also easy to move and rearrange into perfect sleeping nests for your kitty, meeting their instinctual need for a secure and safe spot. This habit often stems from a young age, reminiscent of the times when they were drinking from their mothers. Repeating this action into maturity is a testament to the feeling of being content and shows that your cat trusts you as its owner.
How to Stop My Cat Sleeping on My Clothes?
If you’re looking to stop your cat from sleeping on your clothes, don’t worry. While it’s an indication that your cat loves being close to you or a sign of stress or anxiety, this behavior can be inconvenient, especially when your black pants or shirt are covered in cat hair. The frustration of rushing to get dressed for work and having to wake up to a feline on your coat can lead to unpleasant moments. Here are some tips to help you avoid these scenarios.
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Remove Stressors
If your cat is stressed, they might turn to your clothes for security. To deal with this situation, remove the stressor. Work out what’s causing the stress – consider any environment or routine changes that have recently occurred. Once you’ve got to the bottom of what’s causing them to feel stressed, reverse it if possible. Make a cat-friendly space where your kitty can retreat while getting used to the changes. Find a quiet spot and place a bed there, cover it with old clothes you don’t wear. This room should be one the cat enjoys, away from noise and other potential factors that cause her stress.
Be careful with the placement of food bowls, water bowls, and the litter box. Pick a spot away from stressors like other people in the home, guests, or other pets. Scratching posts and hiding spots can also make your cat feel at home. Consider investing in special pet cameras so your feline can see your face, or a treats feeder that allows you to talk to them. Interactive toys can also help.
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Get Pheromone Diffusers or Collars
Pheromones, which are hormones with a calming effect on cats, can help reduce your kitty’s anxiety. Consider shopping for pheromone products that release artificial pheromones in your home, thus promoting calmness and helping to discourage your cat from sleeping on your clothes. Choose between diffusers, which you can plug in and are great for working in spaces with multiple cats, and pheromone collars, which are a more straightforward option like a regular collar but with added magic. For a big home, you might need to purchase multiple diffusers. The collar attaches to their neck, allowing them to carry the scent wherever they go.
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Donate Old Clothes For Your Cat’s Bed
Donate your old clothes for your cat’s bed. They enjoy the smell of you on them, so take clothes you don’t want anymore and putting them on top of their bed can attract your kitty and keep them away from your freshly laundered clothing.
Conclusion
Cats sleeping on your clothes is more than a quirk; it’s a multifaceted behavior rooted in their instinctual needs for comfort, security, and territorial marking. Your scent on the clothes provides a calming, familiar environment, often easing stress or anxiety, and reinforcing the bond between you and your feline companion. This behavior, while endearing, can also be a sign of separation anxiety or a way for your cat to investigate your daily activities. Understanding these reasons can help you create a more comfortable and reassuring space for your pet, deepening the unique connection you share with your furry cat.
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Why does my cat like to sleep in my cupboard?
In the cozy confines of my cupboard, surrounded by clothes, my cat finds a safe haven. These sturdy walls and dark spaces not only block out disruptive sound but also provide solace, especially during loud thunderstorms. It’s their way of seeking comfort, where your scent on the clothes acts as a calming reminder of you. This behavior isn’t just a preference but a loving gesture, showing their trust and affection in choosing such personal spaces to sleep. As a cat owner, understanding this helps in appreciating their unique ways of expressing comfort and safety.
What should I do to remove cat hair from my clothes?
For removing unwanted pet hair from clothes, a lint roller is a quick solution. In its absence, a damp, well-wrung cloth, like a dishcloth, can be used to rub over the fabric. Always move in one direction for better results. Adding a half cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle is an excellent aid in removing cat hair from clothing.
How can I persuade my kitty pal to use its litterbox?
To persuade your kitty pal to use the litterbox, first ensure it’s always clean, and situated in a quiet, accessible area. Find a type of litter your cat likes. For older kitties, a low-sided box helps them climb in comfortably. If your feline keeps urinating in other areas, a visit to the vet to rule out any medical conditions is wise.
