Staring at humans while they sleep is a common
This behaviour is quite common: some cats seem to find the sight of their sleeping owners absolutely enthralling. While this might unnerve the new cat owner, it's pretty benign. Cats often develop close bonds with the human members of their households and will watch over us while we sleep.
So, it's not surprising that your kitty will feel safe sleeping next to you. Being close to you and even establishing eye contact while you're falling asleep might be their way to communicate their bond to you.
Do cats even know that we're sleeping? We can't know for sure if cats understand the idea of sleep the way that we do, but it's clear that cats understand we go through a long period of decreased responsiveness. Instead of sleep or rest, it's more likely that cats simply understand our routine.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
Your cat rubs their face on you
If you notice that your feline friend likes to headbutt you or rub their head against you, this is a sign that you're familiar to them and they're showing you their respect.
Most felines will be perfectly content being left alone for up to 8 hours while you're at work. As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive.
Many cats like to sleep with their owners because they're vulnerable at night. In the wild, they were prey to larger animals and sought coverage and protection. They probably feel safe and secure in your presence, so it's not surprising that they want to sleep with you!
Lying next to you, but not on you, doesn't mean your cat is not bonded to you. In fact, sleeping next to you means your cat trusts you enough to be in a vulnerable position while sleeping. Some cats are not comfortable sleeping on their cat parent because they prefer the security of a small buffer zone.
In general, cats understand that a hug is an expression of affection. Not all felines will tolerate being embraced, however. Just as we humans have our personal preferences, cats also have their own likes and dislikes. So some will allow themselves to be hugged, while others will not stand for your weird human ways.
It's Simple: Your Cat Loves You. You're not just a comfy cat bed; your cat loves you too, and laying on your chest is one way they show their love. That's what all those head butts and all that purring mean. They often do other things to get your attention too!
They're curious
It may simply be that your cat is curious about where you're going and what you're going to do there. Typically, they are intrigued by the areas in your house that stimulate their minds. Sometimes, it's just of sheer curiosity that a kitty follows your movements.
Cats know your regular schedule: knows when you normally wake up, provide breakfast and dinner, clean the cat box, bedtime, playtime, etc. Consistency is very important to a cat. Regular interaction with their human and animal companions is an important parts of cats' worlds.
Another time-tested method a cat uses to wake a pet parent up is pawing your face while you're sleeping. Cats typically use gentle but persistent pats, and one little paw can rouse even the deepest sleeper simply because they're willing to keep at it until you open your eyes.
Cats are incredibly curious by nature and they always want to know what's going on. It could be just that they're observing you to see if you're going to do anything interesting. Cats are visual hunters and when they go outdoors, they're on high alert, keeping their keen eyes peeled for anything moving.
Famously independent, sometimes falsely assumed to be immune to feelings, cats are in truth super-sensitive to emotions, sound, and stress. Perhaps because felines lack the eager-to-please openness of their canine colleagues, humans overlook the big and small ways they can break a cat's spirit.
According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
Do cats miss their humans, people ask. Well, if you have been a good playmate, then there is a pretty high chance the cats will miss you when not around. Cats, just like any other pet, love attention. They like to be attended to every little thing, from playing with toys to being cuddled around.
When you share your bed with a cat sleeping, you're also sharing a bed with any parasites the cat is harboring. “If your cat goes outdoors, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites pose a risk to you when your cat returns home and cuddles up with you at night,” Dr. DeWire warns.
Cats are creatures of habit, and they often don't adapt well to changes in their environment. If you suddenly decide that you no longer want your cat to sleep in your bed, the animal might respond to the loss of their territory with destructive behaviour, including scratching furniture and spraying.
Your Cat Is Looking for Security
Because of their position in the middle of the food chain, they may feel vulnerable while they're sleeping. Sleeping next to you helps them feel more secure in their ability to sleep because they know they have an extra layer of defense if a predator comes their way.
After several years, they can still remember people, places and events from the past. So maybe next time you find your cat staring blankly at a wall or closet, it may be possible that she is thinking of the past and replaying it over and over again.
If you are just looking to get one cat, your future feline pet will not be severely deprived if you do not get another with it. A cat can live a happy life as the only cat in the house. At the same time, cats are more social than we may have at one time believed.
Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier. You can start with creating a safe outdoor enclosure for them. This will provide plenty of entertainment value during the day, as well as giving them plenty to do when you are busy looking after your home or family.
Although a cat may not care (as that word is generally used) about human morals, cats can and do distinguish between good and bad people, and are excellent judges of human character and emotion.