Have you ever been awakened by a sudden inhalation of your Persian cat hair? This is a common occurrence for cat owners. Sometimes, in the middle of the night or early in the morning, your Persian feline tries to sleep on your head.
What on earth could be the cause of this constant habit? Why do Persian cats try to sleep on our heads?
Your head is warm
Your Persian cats have a higher body temperature than you. Their normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.4°F. They have difficulty maintaining this body temperature at rest, so it is normal for them to seek sources of heat outside of their bodies to preserve their temperature.
Your Persian cat can’t cover herself with a blanket, so she goes to the warmest place she can find. Humans lose heat through their heads and often cover their bodies while they sleep. That’s why it makes sense for your furry friend to curl up next to or on top of your head.
The head of the bed may be more comfortable than the feet.
If you move around a lot while you sleep, your bed’s head may be more comfortable than the footboard, which has a lot of movement and clutter.
Your cat is probably sleeping near your head because sleeping on the footboard of your bed is like riding a roller coaster.
Your Persian cat prefers to be close to you
Your Persian cat may be sleeping next to your head simply because she enjoys and loves you. At night, you may find that this is the perfect time for her to bond with you. Your head and face are much more comfortable for her to show her affection than your feet.
What to do if you can’t sleep?
What to do if your Persian cat’s nocturnal habits prevent you from sleeping: does she sleep on your head or show her nocturnal nature by moving around and playing all night?
There are several things you can do to help your Persian cat sleep at night:
- First, make sure your Persian cat has a warm and cozy bed next to your head.
- Also, make sure that your Persian cat gets exercise and eats right before bedtime. In other words, mimic a successful cat hunt. Active play with toys just before bed will make your Persian cat feel like a predator. This will make her feel like she has caught and eaten her prey, and the next step will be to groom her and head to bed.
- You can train your Persian cat not to go into your room at night. For some cats, simply closing the bedroom door is enough, but if your Persian cat scratches the door or meows trying to get in, set up a baby gate in the hallway to keep her away from the door. Most cats adapt to a new situation within a few days. Make sure the place where the Persian cat spends the night has everything it needs (food, water, cat bed, litter box, and a scratching post).
