Why Do Cats Cover Their Face When They Sleep?

People have always been fascinated by cats. They are such mysterious creatures. We want to know why they do the things they do. One of the things that has always puzzled people is why cats cover their faces when they sleep. Some people think it’s because they want to block out the sunlight. 

Others think it’s because they want to keep their nose warm. Some people think it’s because they feel an added sense of security. Still others think it might just be more comfortable for them. Nobody really knows for sure what the reason is, and in fact, it’s probably for a different reason every time. 

They Want to Block Out the Sunlight

Cats sleep a lot. In fact, they sleep almost 18 hours every day, even well into adulthood. That means that much of their sleep occurs during the daytime, and you probably know how difficult it is to sleep with the sun on your face. It’s not very comfortable to allow the sun to shine on your face while you sleep, so it should not be too surprising to see your cat covering its face while it sleeps during the daytime. 

They Want to Keep Their Nose Warm

Cats aren’t as sensitive to temperature extremes as humans are. In fact, they aren’t really sensitive to them at all, with the exception of a couple of places on their bodies – one place being their nose. So if you see your cat sleeping with its face covered, there’s the possibility that it wants to keep its nose warm

It Might Just Be More Comfortable

Cats rest a lot during the day, and if they’re inside cats that also means they’re spending most of their time resting on something – anything really – including the floor, the bed, the couch, and so on, so it might just be a more comfortable position for them. Sleeping with their faces covered might not be a big deal at all.

They Feel Extra Security

One of the most sensitive parts of a cat is its face. Not only are they covered in whiskers, which are extremely sensitive to touch, but their noses and lips are the only parts of their bodies that sense temperature extremes. When sleeping, a cat might just decide that it feels more comfortable and secure with its face covered. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel safe in your home – just that it feels more safe with its face covered. 

They Fell Asleep Grooming or Playing

Some cats can be so exhausted when they wake up that even moving their facial muscles is too much, and you find them with their faces covered without them having done so on purpose. It’s not uncommon for cats to fall asleep while grooming themselves either, so if you find your cat in this adorable position, that might just be why. 

Other Positions Cats Love to Sleep in

Cats are known for being flexible, agile creatures, but they’re also extremely lazy, and they can sleep in some pretty weird positions. Sleeping with its face covered is just one position you might find your cat sleeping in. Typically, they sleep curled up in a ball on their stomachs, with their tail curled around them. This is the best way for them to retain body heat while they sleep, but retaining heat isn’t always the top priority when it comes to sleeping. 

You might find them sleeping on their back. This usually doesn’t happen intentionally. They might have been playing or grooming and simply dozed off somewhere along the way, leaving their paws up in the air. 

If you have a kitten, you might even catch it falling asleep while standing up. They’re extremely playful, but that gets balanced out with sleepiness. It’s very rare for an adult cat of any age to sleep standing up though, and it usually occurs when they are extremely exhausted or under extreme stress. 

Cats spend so much time resting that every once in a while you find them in some pretty weird positions. Their love of comfort and laziness makes for some pretty random sleeping arrangements – which is why the next time you catch your cat sleeping with its face covered, there might be a perfectly good reason for it. 

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

As you know, cats sometimes sleep for 18 hours in a day, but usually only somewhere between 12 to 16. Even still, they’re not extremely active, so why do they need so much sleep? Simply put, it’s in their nature to. Cats in the wild hunt and need to conserve their energy for catching prey. Just because they’re asleep doesn’t mean they’re not alert though. Cat naps are called cat naps for a reason.

When Do Cats Sleep?

You might hear your cat sprinting around the house wreaking havoc late at night, but that doesn’t mean they’re nocturnal. In fact, cats are generally most active around dawn and dusk, which makes them crepuscular. The rest of their time is spent in deep sleep (usually at night), and napping – during the day (with their faces covered). 

Where Do Cats Sleep?

Despite their fierce appearance and attitude, cats in the wild may actually be preyed upon, so it’s in their DNA to want to feel safe and secure wherever they go to sleep. Their wild relatives might sleep high up in a tree, or buried safely beneath a thicket in the woods. That means you might find them tucked away under the bed, or high up on a countertop. Cats like to feel like they’re out of reach, so sleeping on top of the shelves in your kitchen or bathroom isn’t far-fetched. Behind the sofa, under the sink, or inside a cabinet is also fair game – cats can get pretty creative with their sleeping arrangements. 

Conclusion

So, when you find your cat sleeping with its face covered, it might just be because they’re keeping their nose warm, or it could be the most comfortable position. Some cats simply fall asleep in this position while grooming. Cats in the wild sleep this way for a reason – because it brings them an added sense of security.