How to Stop Cats From Staring at You While You Sleep and Why They Do

You're not alone if you've ever been forcibly awakened from a sound slumber by a heavy cat resting on your chest and blowing cat breath into your face. Cats frequently stare at people while they are sleeping, however, it is a confusing (and perhaps annoying) behavior.

It turns out that cats don't just stare at people when they're sleeping. The same reasons cats stare at you while you're awake also apply to when you're soundly asleep. 

Cats occasionally fixate on walls or other insignificant objects, but this is frequently a sign of a cognitive problem (and something to get checked out by your vet if you notice it happening).

Let's look at some of the most common causes of a cat staring at you while you're sleeping and get some advice on how to stop it (if you want to!).

Hunger

One of the main causes of a cat looking at you as you sleep with its eyes penetrating deep into your face, especially if it happens in the early morning, is hunger.

 A cat is rarely more motivated by an empty food bowl. You can guarantee that your cat is eager for breakfast if you notice that it regularly wakes you up in the early morning hours before sprinting to the food bowl.

There are a few ways to avoid being startled out of sleep by a hungry cat's glare. One option is to keep your cat out of your bedroom while you sleep, but this has its disadvantages since there won't be a warm, purring cat to cuddle with at night.

 Besides, this doesn't always work. Some cats are adamant about getting to you despite any obstacles, and they may paw or scratch at the door or meow loudly until you give in and let them in.

Another choice is to spend money on a breakfast-dispensing automatic feeder so your cat won't feel the need to wake you up. You can also install some puzzle feeders around the house for your cat to "hunt" for food by filling them with some of its regular food and placing them in different locations.

Boredom

Your cat probably wants to play if you wake up in the middle of the night to find her looking at you in the dark. Due to their crepuscular nature, cats are most alert and active during dawn and twilight. For a cat living with people, who frequently like to sleep after sunrise, this can be difficult. 

Fortunately, cats sleep a lot; they often get around 13 hours a day. This implies that even if it could feel energized for a portion of the night, your cat won't stay up all night. 

Your cat may choose to amuse itself by exploring the home or attacking the food bowl (see above should the food bowl go empty). However, some cats, particularly kittens, can't resist the need to try to

Increase your cat's activity and playtime in the early evening to help it sleep more soundly at night. Make it a point to play with your cat every time you get home from work, whether it's with feather wands, fuzzy mice or balls to chase, or a fun laser pointer session (just be careful not to point the light directly at your cat's eyes). 

Later, when it's almost time for bed, relax on the couch with some quiet cuddling with your pets. If you keep your cat busy enough in the evening, she should be prepared to drift off to sleep when it's time for bed.

Pain or Fear

Your cat may sit close to you and stare to let you know it is worried or scared doing so. When in discomfort, cats may also crawl up close and fix their attention on you. Take a deeper look at the matter if your cat suddenly starts staring at you while you're sleeping frequently after never doing so before. 

Make sure your cat isn't being bothered, ambushed, or even assaulted if there is another cat in the house. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup if your cat is limping, resists being touched, stops eating or drinking, or exhibits changes in its toileting habits.

Love

If your cat keeps gazing at you while you're trying to sleep, it could be showing you how much it adores and cares for you. You can be positive that she is expressing her love if the staring is accompanied by purring, head butts, slow blinks, and facial rubbing. 

This explanation is more difficult to deal with than some others, and you might not want to, especially if your cat isn't disturbing your beauty sleep. Because cats can be picky with their adoration, turn over, pull the covers up, and count yourself lucky that your feline buddy loves you.