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Why Does My Roommate’s Cat Sleep With Me?

If your roommate’s cat keeps on hopping into your bed for some sleep you may find it a bit odd and wonder why it’s happening…

Why Does My Roommate’s Cat Sleep With Me?

There are a number of reasons why the cat is sleeping with you, instead of your roommate, so it’s not necessarily that the cat likes you more. It could be that they feel safer with you, for one thing, or it could even be the thread count in your bed sheets or the presence of a nice, fluffy comforter.

So, now you know. But, why do cats choose to sleep in different places? Could my cat love my roommate more than me? How do cats choose who to sleep with? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Could my cat love my roommate more than me?

While it is certainly possible, if you are spending more time with the cat than they are, this is not necessarily always going to be the case. Cats sometimes ‘demand’ attention from those they feel have been ignoring them and your roommate might also just happen to have a very comfortable bed.

It could also be a matter of body heat or if your roommate is a bigger person, your cat might feel safer there. Don’t instantly assume the cat just likes them more – it isn’t always as simple as that with cats!

What makes a cat choose a person to sleep with?

Cats generally choose who they hang out with based on compatible natures, the comfort of your room, or even how safe you make them feel. They can also change their minds, seemingly at whim, but cats are actually quite the sticklers for a schedule.

You might find over time that they’ll sleep with one person, and then switch to another. This is perfectly normal, as cats tend to pick a few places for sleeping and they ‘switch them up’ from time to time to discourage imagined predators.

It’s an instinct that they have which has served them well, so they keep it even when domesticated.

Why do cats choose to sleep in different places?

Cats also have an instinct common to most predators where they sleep in different places, so that other predators won’t be able to predict where they are sleeping. As such, a cat often has a few ‘designated’ sleeping spots mapped out and could easily move on in a day or two to another spot.

The cat might well like you more, but there is no guarantee – this could simply be a practical choice or one of comfort.

Should I prevent my cat sleeping with my roommate?

You can ask your roommate to close the door before sleeping if you don’t like your cat’s new sleeping arrangements. Your cat might meow or scratch at the door, but should give up in time if your roommate doesn’t answer.

Just keep in mind that cats can be persistent about what they want and may not give up without a fight. Often, the better approach is to simply get friendly with the treats and some extra playtime with your cat and you could even try changing to some more comfortable bedding.

Sometimes the addition of a fluffy comforter is all you need to convince your cat that they need to rethink their sleeping arrangements! Don’t worry, it’s nothing personal – cats are just very practical creatures.

How can I stop my cat from bothering my roommate until they are awake?

This can be tricky. Cats make a schedule for themselves and they like to keep it, but you can certainly force the issue. Try locking your cat into the room with you at night or in their own room, with litter box access and their own bed (if they can’t sleep on yours).

Keep in mind that your cat will probably still get up early – cats don’t change their schedules easily. Provided that you can accept this then your cat will eventually adjust and change up their schedule accordingly. Alternately, you might try getting up early to feed your cat and then going back to bed.

Your cat might have figured out that your sleepy roommate is likely to feed them so that they can get back to sleep, so providing food early might just do the trick!

Should I feel guilty if my roommate’s cat likes me more?

No, there is no need to feel guilty, unless your roommate has asked you not to interact with the cat and you are still doing so ‘on the sly’. Cats have their own minds, after all, and if they like you then they like you and it’s no fault of your own.

As long as you aren’t interacting in spite of the roommates wishes, then you aren’t doing anything wrong and shouldn’t feel bad about it. Just enjoy the attention and try not to ‘rub it in’ with the roommate, because that’s not very nice!

What should I do if my roommate’s cat starts licking my arm?

If you don’t mind, then you could always simply allow it. Cats do this sometimes as a form of affection and are most likely just ‘grooming’ you because they like you. If you’ve just come in from the heat or exercise, however, then it might be salt in your sweat that the kitty is craving!

Does a cat sleeping near you mean they trust you?

Yes, if your cat is sleeping near or next to you, then this is a definite sign of love and trust. While it’s hard to think of these fluffy little critters as predators sometimes, that is exactly what they are. While most animals wouldn’t trust you with their back, predators are especially hardwired to be careful of this.

If the cat didn’t trust you, they likely wouldn’t even sleep in the same room! So, take it for the high compliment that it is when your cat sleeps close. They obviously love you and trust you completely, otherwise they would never leave themselves so vulnerable around you.

Can cats sense if you’re a good person?

While cats don’t really have a concept of ‘good and evil’, they certainly seem to be good judges of character. Most likely, they are able to identify when people are naturally more aggressive or unpredictable, through observation and by the way that these people smell.

As such, if your cat takes a special dislike to someone, then you might want to take note. Just keep in mind, however, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that this person is bad – there might be something at their work that smells funny to your cat or they might even hate this person’s soap!

Whatever the reasoning, cats definitely seem to notice when a person doesn’t ‘fit in’, and this can be useful information sometimes that you should take notice of. They might just be trying to tell you something!

Do cats get emotionally attached to their owners?

Yes, cats can certainly become emotionally attached to their owners, and there is even a name for this behavior. It’s called ‘secure attachment’ and what it basically boils down to is that a cat or dog has grown to trust a particular caregiver enough that they automatically feel safe in their presence.

They are more comfortable eating, relaxing, exploring their environment, or socializing with others – all because there is someone there who makes them feel loved and safe! In the absence of that person, cats have been known to mope, look around as if to find them, and sometimes even to cry out.

Cats learn to love their owners and definitely develop very strong attachments to them over time.