Why Does My Cat Stare at Me While I Sleep?

Cats are curious creatures, and you may have noticed them staring out into space or staring at walls. What about staring at you while you sleep? It can be really awkward and annoying to have a cat staring a hole through you while you try to rest. So, why does my cat stare at me while I sleep?

Prime Night Vision

One of the simplest explanations as to why your cat stares at you while you sleep is because it can. For one, cats are known for being quite nocturnal. They often hunt during the night, and they have excellent night vision.

While you may not be able to see anything in the dark, for a cat, a dark room looks more or less the same as it does during the day. They can see clear and crisp in the night. They may just see something that arouses their curiosity. They look at you because they can, because they are interested.

You’re Making Funny Sounds

Cats are naturally curious, and they always love exploring new things. If you are sleeping, maybe you are talking in your sleep, maybe you are restless due to a bad dream, or maybe you are snoring.

A cat staring at you while you sleep may just be intrigued by all of the funny sounds and motions you make in your sleep; just like you might watch a friend snoring or having a dream, a cat may watch you doing the same. It’s pure curiosity.

An Anxious Cat

Another reason why your cat may stare at you while you sleep is because it is anxious. There are cats that are anxious by nature. Moreover, when you first bring a new cat home, it might take some time to get used to its surroundings.

If your cat is new to your home and it’s staring at you, it might be nothing more than wanting to be close to you. It feels insecure and being close to you will provide a sense of safety and security.

A Close Bond and Watching Your Back

Many feline experts agree that cats often stare at their owners out of love, a really close bond. A part of how cats socialize with their human counterparts is by looking or staring at them. They want to watch you, they want to be near you, and they want to check up on you.

It is also believed that cats think that family members, you, are vulnerable to attack when you sleep. Therefore, being near you and staring at you while you sleep is a way of watching your back and keeping you safe.

Hunger

A very common cause of cats staring at you, whether you are asleep or not, is out of hunger. Cats get hungry just like we do. Many people feed their cats in the morning, and chances are that your cat wakes up before you.

If your cat is staring at you while you sleep, particularly in the wee hours of the morning, it’s probably hungry; it’s staring at you because it’s waiting for you to wake up and feed it.

Pure Boredom

The other reason why your cat might stare at you during your sleep is because it’s bored. Cats are often awake during the night, and if it has nothing else better to do, it might stare at you out of boredom and curiosity.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why a cat may stare at you while you sleep, and although it can be annoying, it’s not a cause for concern.