A family was puzzled as to why their pet cat refused to sleep in its own bed, until a home camera revealed the heartwarming reason.
In an adorable video captured on the camera, the black-and-white feline is seen making its way into a young boy’s room, presumably the owners’ son. As the child sleeps, unaware of being filmed, the cat jumps onto his bed and settles beside his head, Express reports.
Moments later, the boy instinctively wraps an arm around his furry companion, pulling it in for a hug and tucking it under the duvet. Snuggled up together like a child with a beloved teddy bear, the duo drifts off in the sweetest display of friendship.
After a few moments, the cat closes its eyes and drifts off to sleep, perfectly content in its cozy spot.
The heartwarming clip, shared on X, has captured the attention of millions. Posted on the Posts Of Cats page, it was accompanied by the caption: “Owners couldn’t figure out why the cat wasn’t sleeping in its bed…then they saw this.”
Since being uploaded, the video has got an astonishing 17 million views, along with 175,000 likes, 12,000 retweets, and 454 comments, as viewers fell in love with the touching bond between the child and his furry friend.
One X user said: “I’m not crying, you’re crying.” Another added: “Aww, the sneaky kitty found a comfier spot.”
A third person guessed: “He was waiting for that little arm to hug him – so precious.” A fourth user claimed: “Cutest video of the day!” while another shared that they love how the cat falls asleep at the end of the video.
The comment section quickly filled with admiration for the touching moment, with users sharing their own experiences with their feline companions. Responses included “awww that’s so adorable,” “Wholesome!” to “cats are amazing,” and “guardian angel.”
One user pointed out that “cats can sleep anywhere,” while others shared stories of their own pets’ favorite sleeping spots. A cat owner wrote: “My cat rarely lets me do things like this. She prefers to sleep on my chest, near my feet or against my back. Basically anywhere she can where the fan is blowing because she’s (a) weirdo that prefers the cold.”
Another chimed in: “Yep. That’s me. My kitty would rather sleep with me & my husband too.”
It seems some cats have a particular fondness for children, as another video in the thread shows a different young boy sitting on the floor, cradling a cat in his arms much like a mother holding her baby.
Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline charity, has shed light on why some cats prefer to sleep with or on their humans. According to the charity, the three main reasons are warmth, bonding, and the belief that they’re simply claiming their bed.
Warmth is often “a main requirement for a perfect sleeping spot,” and since your body “is like a big hot water bottle,” cats instinctively “love to snuggle up to you to keep cosy.”
Beyond comfort, curling up next to their owner is also a sign of trust. As Cats Protection explains: “If cats are happy to cuddle up to you, it shows that they trust you and see you as a friend.”
Cats Protection also highlights that human beds are an ideal choice for feline naps. The charity explains: “Human beds make great cat beds because they are comfortable, warm and raised off the ground. Cats like this because it gives them a good view of their surroundings.”
Additionally, beds often come with secret spots underneath, providing a sense of security. “Beds usually also come with a built-in hiding space under the bed which helps them feel safe in case of any danger,” the charity notes.
So, if your cat insists on sleeping on top of you, it might not just be about warmth and bonding, it could be because you’ve unknowingly claimed their favorite sleeping spot. As Cats Protection puts it: “They have no other choice but to get comfy on top of you.”
However, pet owners should be mindful to keep cribs and other baby sleeping areas off-limits to ensure a safe environment for both their child and their cat.
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