My cat, Sugar, always likes to cover her eyes with her paws while sleeping. It’s such a cute and curious sight. After years of owning cats, I finally realized that this little habit hides a lot of interesting secrets.
-
Cats’ Instinct for Self-Protection
Cats are natural hunters, but they also have their own predators. In the wild, covering their eyes with their paws while sleeping reduces visual exposure, minimizing the risk of being spotted by enemies. Even in the safety of our homes, this instinct remains, and cats will instinctively cover their eyes with their paws to feel more secure.
-
The Need to Regulate Light
Cats are extremely sensitive to light, and bright light can irritate their eyes, affecting their sleep quality. By covering their eyes with their paws, they can effectively filter out some of the light, creating a more comfortable sleep environment. Sugar, for example, often covers her eyes with her paws when she sleeps on the sunlit windowsill, as if she’s creating a little “darkroom” for herself.
-
Reducing External Distractions
Cats have incredibly sharp hearing and vision, even when they’re asleep. Covering their eyes with their paws helps block visual distractions, making it easier for them to immerse themselves in their dreams. This action can also muffle some sounds, helping cats relax and rest more peacefully.
-
Cats Expressing Trust and Relaxation
When a cat sleeps in front of you and covers its eyes with its paws, it’s actually a very sweet signal of trust. It shows that they feel completely safe and relaxed in your presence. They know that under your protection, they can sleep soundly without worry.
-
Cats Imitating Your Behavior
Cats are highly observant creatures and tend to mimic their owners’ behaviors. If you often cover your eyes with your hand while sleeping, your cat may mimic you by covering its own eyes with its paws. This imitation not only makes them look even cuter, but also enhances the sense of interaction with their owner.
-
Possible Discomfort (Rare)
While most of the time, covering their eyes with their paws is just a normal sleep behavior, if your cat does this frequently along with other unusual symptoms, such as rubbing their eyes often or increased eye discharge, it could indicate an eye issue. In such cases, it’s important to take your cat to the vet promptly for a check-up.
Does your cat do this? What do you think it’s trying to express? Personally, I think the most likely reason is that they’re just trying to be cute! After all, who can resist the charm of an adorable little cat?
