WHY WON'T MY CATS SLEEP TOGETHER? COMPLETE STUDY

226 Shares

Why won’t my cats sleep together? You have more than one cat, and they do not sleep together, and you are wondering why. It is not uncommon.

Cats won’t sleep together because they want some space for themselves. Some cats like to play with other cats and sleep near other cats but do not cuddle. This is because they want to have their space and do not want to be disturbed when sleeping.

Some cats want to be alone when they sleep to stay somewhat alert to outside movement even when they sleep and detect if someone is approaching.

Let’s go more into it.

Table of Contents

WHY WON’T MY CATS SLEEP TOGETHER?

Cats have different personalities, just like humans, some cats are more inclined to cuddle with other cats, and some other cats like to have their personal space. If they do not cuddle with each other or sleep on each other doesn’t mean they are not friends.

There are different scenarios possible when you put two cats together. For example, if you bring a kitten into the life of a grown-up cat, you may expect that your older cat may have, at times, a problem with the kitten’s level of activity.

I will give you a personal example.

My cat is two years old, therefore, relatively young. He grew up alone with me. At some point, I felt terrible that he was always alone at home, and I decided he needed a friend to play with. I did not know how he might react with another cat in the house, but I also thought it was unnatural for a cat to live alone his entire life.

And they are not sleeping together. Sometimes they sleep on the same bed, but not very close.

There can be various reasons why your cats are not sleeping together. Here are some possible reasons:

Lack of familiarity: If your cats are relatively new to each other, they may still be getting to know each other and establishing their hierarchy. In this case, they may not be comfortable sleeping together yet.
Different sleep preferences: Just like humans, cats have different sleep preferences. Some cats prefer to sleep in warm, cozy spots, while others prefer cool and breezy spots. Your cats may not want to sleep together if they have different preferences.
Territorial behavior: Cats are territorial animals and may not want to share their sleeping space with other cats. If one of your cats is more dominant, it may not want to share its space with the other cat.
Past experiences: If one of your cats has had a negative experience with another cat in the past, they may be hesitant to sleep near other cats.
Medical issues: If one of your cats is not feeling well, they may not want to sleep with other cats. In this case, it is important to monitor their behavior and consult with a veterinarian if necessary.

It’s worth noting that not all cats enjoy sleeping together, and it’s perfectly normal for them to have their own preferred sleeping spaces. If your cats are healthy and happy, it’s okay if they don’t sleep together.

EXAMPLE OF A OLDER CAT WITH KITTENS

I adopted a kitten. When she arrived home, my older cat was growling for the first few days, but after that, they started to play with each other and run back and forth; my cat even started grooming the kitten.

I was amazed he could be so sweet. Sometimes they would sleep on the bed beside each other but not cuddle. My older cat has always been solitary by nature. He is the cat that needs his space and comes to you when he likes, not the cuddling type.

So I was relatively happy that he would groom the other cat, play with her, and sleep at least next to her, sometimes touching each other paws. I am curious to see if he will become a more cuddling cat when the kitten grows up.

However, the kitten always wants to play and jumps over him; sometimes, he doesn’t like it, especially when she tries to get his tail and hisses at her. But, besides this, they are adorable, and I am reaching my goal of socializing the older cat and giving him a playmate.

However, he usually sleeps on his own; the kitten is too active and doesn’t let him rest. I realize that kittens are too much playful for grown-up cats.

What I take away( why won’t my cats sleep together?): Kitten’s high activity level can be a problem for older cats who may want to rest a bit more, and thus, they sleep in a quiet spot.

EXAMPLE OF OLDER CATS WITH OTHER CATS

If you bring home a grown-up cat, a previous good introduction with each other, and given the time to become familiar with each other, they can become friends, play together, and sleep next to each other. It is not said they are still going to cuddle with each other.

It depends on each cat’s personality. I had cats that would sleep on each other in a very tiny bed; they liked the warm in wither and had no problems walking on other cats and sitting on them.

The other cats would let it happens. I also noticed that they grew up together and have been together their entire lives. However, some other cats like to be at a safe distance and watch things from a distance.

Older cats that have grown up together are more likely to sleep and cuddle together. However, cats have different personalities, and some like to stay distant. It doesn’t mean they are not friends. On the contrary, they want space around them.

In other words, one should not feel bad if some cats do not sleep together; it can happen and is part of a variety of cats’ behavior and personality. It may even be that some cats do not get along with other cats. Like humans, somehow, they have preferences.

Another observation is that when cats are indoors, they may have different warm sources and may not need to cuddle and sleep with each other to stay warm. So the research for a warm sleeping spot can be one reason cats sleep and cuddle together.

WHY DO CATS SLEEP TOGETHER?

Usually, cats are looking for warm places to go and sleep, so some cats like to come and sleep on you. Cats that sleep with each other have created a special bond and are friends.

Cats like to sleep with each other when they are friends because they feel safe. In addition, they are familiar with the other cats; there is nothing better than sleeping in a safe and friendly place for cats and familiar smells.

Cats are social animals, and they often sleep together to bond with each other, show affection, and regulate body temperature. Here are some reasons why cats sleep together:

Social bonding: Cats are social animals and enjoy the company of other cats. When they sleep together, they can bond with each other and establish their social hierarchy.
Safety and security: Sleeping with other cats can provide a sense of safety and security for cats, especially if they are in an unfamiliar environment or feel threatened by other animals.
Warmth and comfort: Cats are creatures of comfort and enjoy warm and cozy spots. Sleeping together can provide additional warmth and comfort, especially in cooler temperatures.
Mutual grooming: Cats are fastidious groomers and enjoy grooming each other. When they sleep together, they can groom each other and help keep each other clean.
Territory marking: Cats have scent glands on their bodies and use scent marking to establish their territory. When they sleep together, they exchange scents, which can help them feel more comfortable with each other and establish a shared territory.

Overall, cats sleep together to bond, show affection, regulate body temperature, and establish a social hierarchy. If your cats are sleeping together, it’s a sign that they are comfortable with each other and feel safe and secure in their environment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take for cats to get used to each other?

Give them a couple of months to get to know each other. Even if they start playing with each other in the first two weeks, they still know each other for too little time. I can say my cats bonded after several months they were together.

How do you know if cats don’t like each other?

If your cats do not like each other, you will know that they are hissing at each other, growling, and sometimes fighting; they usually try to stay far away from each other in different rooms.

How can I get my cat to sleep with me again?

Try to make your cat come close to you again in your bed. For example, I have observed my cat changing his sleeping spot from my bed to a kitchen chair. I was annoyed, so I did each time he did it; I went to pick him up and brought him to the bed, and started petting him.

Why does my cat no longer sleep with me?

There can be various reasons why your cat is no longer sleeping with you. If you have recently changed your routine, such as working longer hours or going to bed at a different time, your cat may have adjusted their sleeping habits to accommodate these changes.

If there have been changes in your cat’s environment, such as new furniture, new people, or new pets, they may feel uncomfortable and choose to sleep in a different location. As cats age, they may become less active and prefer to sleep alone.