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Why Does My Cat Prefer to Sleep On The Floor?

If your cat just seems to choose the floor to sleep on each day you may be confused and wondering why…

Why does my cat prefer to sleep on the floor?

Your cat may prefer to sleep on the floor because it either feels cooler on the floor, hates its cat bed, or is not happy with your movement in your bed at night. Either of these can make a cat opt for the floor. Also, cats are more than happy with the floor, it’s more relaxing for some of them.

So, now you know. But, should you let your cat on the floor? Are they comfortable on the floor? Why does my cat sleep on the floor of the bathroom? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

7 top reasons why your cat may prefer to sleep on the floor:

Why does my cat prefer to sleep on the floor?

A ginger cat sleeping on some hardwood floor.

In this section, I will explain each of the top 3 top reasons why your cat may choose the floor. This will expand on the brief description I mentioned earlier:

01. To cool off

Sometimes a cat may choose to sleep on the floor because it is cooler there. Means, that if you live in a hot country, or it’s just a summer season right now, although your bed is cozy it may be hot for a cat.

Therefore, your cat may prefer to sleep on the floor away from duvets which may make it feel hot and uncomfortable while it sleeps.

02. Because you move too much

Some cats get sick and tired of your constant movement at the night. If that happens they may opt for the floor instead.

If you are a person that starts your night on the left and ends up on the right, with no recollection of what happened in between, then this is exactly what your cat wants to avoid!

03. They dislike their cat bed

If your cat is not happy with its cat bed it could just opt for the floor. It sounds ideal getting a cat bed. But, if you get the wrong one it could be a waste. Why? Well, your cat may never use it.

04. Prefers Hard Surfaces

Not all cats like beds, and that’s normal. If cats aren’t exposed to beds when they’re young, they may have developed a liking for laying on your floor. Some cats seem to have a preference for laying on the ground, even without carpet or any type of cushion.

You might also notice that when seasons change, cats will prefer the floor during warmer months. This is especially common in areas where there is no carpet, as that spot tends to be cooler. While cats like warmth, they don’t want to overheat when sleeping.

05. Feels Safer On The Floor

Cats can prefer the floor to your bed or couch because they aren’t having to deal with your constant movement and shifting. When cats want a nice, deep sleep, the last thing they want is to be woken up by your movement.

If you’ve ever accidentally rolled on your cat or pushed them while they’ve been sleeping near you, they might simply feel safer laying on your floor. Additionally, if your cat has had a bad experience with a bed, such as falling out of it or being chased out of it by another pet, they may not feel safe on beds or couches anymore.

06. Health Issues

Depending on how your cat is positioned while sleeping on flooring, they could be doing this due to underlying health issues. For example, cats who lay with their chins on the ground or their necks stretched out may be having difficulty breathing due to a lung issue. If you’re concerned about this behavior or other strange behaviors, a vet visit could give you some peace of mind.

07. They Prefer To Switch Their Location

Cats are curious creatures, and will often seek out various spots in your home for comfort. Therefore, your cat may prefer the floor simply because the space is new to them. Cats will move to spots where they feel safe to get some rest without being bothered. As mentioned, they will often switch sleeping spots based on what the temperature is like in the home.

Should you let your cat sleep on the floor?

There is no problem with your cat sleeping on the floor. All that matters is that it is comfortable and happy there. And, if you are unsure if it’s happy there here is how you know, if it placed itself there, on its own choice, the chances are it’s happy there.

Cats are not like us humans because they can happily relax on the floor with no issue. And, in their world, this is deemed as normal behavior, not a concern.

Are cats comfortable sleeping on the floor?

Cats are more than comfortable on the floor. Remember, their natural habitat is outside in the wild. Therefore, in the wild, they could sleep in many places such as the floor. And, this floor is not likely to be carpeted like your home is.

To some cats, the simple fact that there is the lining, or a basic rug may be a big plus. As much as a comfortable bed is to us. You understand, their opinion of comfort is very different from ours, even if there are overlaps.

Is it normal for my cat to lay on the floor?

It is normal for a cat to lay on the floor. This is because when they are outside they sleep in various conditions. Also, when the temperature rises too much they appreciate the cooler surface the floor offers.

This is even noticed with big cats that live in hot countries. They are known to relax on the floor and lay their belly against the floor. When they are on the floor it can temporarily cool them down.

Do cats prefer their cat bed?

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Some cats do prefer their cat bed. But, this is not the case for all cats. You may even have a situation where you have a cat bed, and for whatever reason, it still chooses your bed or even the floor.

Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for a cat’s preference for a cat bed. It’s almost like assuming your entire family would like to wear this pair of jeans, right? Some may, others will be repulsed by them.

A cat’s personality is often a big driver for most of its decisions. And therefore, they can be unpredictable at times.

Why does my cat prefer to sleep on the floor under my bed instead?

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Your floor, under your bed, may be attractive to your cat because it makes it feel safe. This is because the bed above it offers it some cover. This is an instinctual reaction based on their constant pursuit of safety and security.

Also, your cat may like the fact that this area is unused by you, or anyone else. Therefore, they can avoid being prodded and poked in the night when you move around while sleeping.

Why does my cat only sleep at the foot of my bed?

A cat waiting, eyes open on a bed.

A cat resting, eyes open on a bed.

Your cat may choose to sleep at the end of your bed because it is unused space, and deemed as its own. This can allow them to escape your arms and feet thrashing around and bumping them in the night.

At the same time, they can benefit from the comfort of your bed and the warmth that your body may omit.

Why does my cat prefer hard surfaces?

Cats may prefer hard surfaces because of the following:

  • Its cooler
  • Has some scent of you there
  • Instinct

Its cooler

To cats, a hard surface, such as a floor, can be attractive because of the temperature. For example, hardwood floors, lino, or laminate flooring.

They may choose to lay with their legs sprawled out wide to appreciate the excessive space they have there as well.

Has some scent of you there

Hard surfaces may just look boring to you. But, to cats, they can hold your scent. Or, they can mark the with their scent. After this is done, or discovered, they may choose to lay there to enjoy the aroma!

Instinct

Another simple reason cats love hard surfaces is the fact that they appeal to their instinct. Meaning, that in their natural habitat, their ancestors would roam around outside and often lay on hard floors.

Therefore a random hard surface, such as the floor in your home, may be appealing to them.

Why does my cat sleep on the floor of my bathroom?

Your cat may choose to sleep on the bathroom floor for these reasons:

  • Privacy
  • The tiles

Privacy

When a cat is in your bathroom they can sleep or relax while you have the bedroom. Some cats like to be on their own when they sleep and they may choose the bathroom floor for this reason.

The tiles

The tiles on some bathroom floors are often cooler than the carpet throughout your home. Therefore, they may choose to use the floor instead while it is hot in your home.

How Can I Encourage My Cat NOT To Sleep On The Floor?

A ginger cat sleeping on a white fluffy cat bed.

A ginger cat sleeping on a white fluffy cat bed.

You can’t do anything to encourage your cat not to sleep on the floor. Cats are independent and self-assured, and they don’t like being forced to do something they don’t want to do. You can always ask your feline companion to come to sit by you, but if they don’t want to, you have to accept it.

Why Does My Cat Lay On The Floor And Stare At Me?

Your cat might be staring at you while laying on the floor because they want something from you. They could want some attention or for you to chat with them, or they might be waiting for you to fill up their food dish. You might have to experiment with a few options until you discover what it is they want from you.

Why Has My Cat Suddenly Started Sleeping On The Floor?

Your cat could simply be laying on the floor because they like how cool it is, and they find it comfortable in their way. It’s also possible that they have decided to switch things up, as cats seemingly like to do. While they’re creatures of habit, they tend to create new habits all the time.

There is also the potential that your cat doesn’t want to sleep with you if you disturb them too much while they’re sleeping. When cats fall into a deep sleep, it’s because they feel safe enough to do so.

In the wild, cats would often take short “cat naps” so they could easily wake up if they needed to move to safety. Therefore, cats won’t fall into a deep sleep unless they trust you, so if you break that trust, your cat may not want to sleep near you anymore.

How Does A Cat Choose Its Sleeping Location?

Cats choose a sleeping location based on what’s comfortable for them, and what will offer them some peace and serenity while they sleep. Cats want a quiet space that is warm, but not too warm. Sometimes, this could be in the middle of the floor or a spot that we would believe wouldn’t be very comfortable.

Cats don’t like being disturbed when they sleep, even though it’s tempting to want to coddle an adorable sleeping cat. Your cat could end up losing trust in you if you constantly pester them while they sleep, or try to move them to a location that’s best for you.

Lindsey Browlingdon