Why Do Cats Cover Their Eyes When Sleeping?

Cats are amazing sleepers and will sleep anywhere and everywhere. Some cats love their own beds, while others love to settle in on the couch or even a sink! When cats reach a deep sleep, you might see them covering their eyes which is one of the cutest habits they display.

While this may seem like a simple, instinctual quirk, there are actually several reasons why cats might cover their eyes or face when they sleep or nap.

1. Blocking Out Light

One of the main reasons cats cover their eyes is to block out light. Cats can be sensitive to light, especially when they’re trying to get some sleep during the day. Covering their eyes with a paw, or even curling up in a way that shields their face, allows them to create their own little “eye mask” to make napping easier in brighter areas.

2. Comfort and Warmth

Cats love warmth and covering their eyes while sleeping might help them conserve body heat. When they curl up and cover their face, it can create a small, warm space that retains heat, similar to how we might tuck ourselves under a blanket. Especially in cooler weather or in air-conditioned rooms, you might notice your cat doing this more frequently.

3. A Sense of Security

Covering their face can make cats feel more secure and protected. Just like us, they sometimes need a sense of safety to fully relax. By tucking their face away, cats may feel more shielded from external factors, allowing them to get into a deeper, more restful sleep. This behavior could be especially common in cats who are a bit more cautious or shy.

4. Habit from Kittenhood

Many cats instinctively cover their eyes or faces because it’s a behavior they learned as kittens. In a litter, kittens often curl up close together, covering each other and creating a safe, warm pile. As they grow up, they may continue this comforting habit out of memory or as a soothing ritual.

5. An Extra Layer of Protection

Cats are always on alert, even while sleeping. When a cat covers his or her eyes, it’s almost like setting up a small barrier between itself and potential disturbances. This position allows them to quickly remove their paw and open their eyes if they sense a sudden movement or sound, while still feeling slightly shielded.

6. Simply for Comfort

Sometimes, covering their eyes is simply comfortable for cats. Just as people often have a favorite sleeping position, cats have theirs, too. Covering their eyes might just be a comfortable way to get cozy, and since cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, they’re always looking for ways to make naptime more pleasant.

7. Sensory Stimulation and Dream State

Some experts speculate that covering their eyes might also be linked to sensory stimulation and dream states. When cats are in deep sleep, they often experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which they may dream. Covering their eyes could potentially enhance the vividness and intensity of their dreams, providing a more immersive and stimulating experience.

8. Too Tired to Move After Grooming

Grooming takes a lot of energy! Cats spend hours each day keeping themselves clean and beautiful, and all that effort can wear them out. Sometimes, during a grooming session, a cat might start to zone out from pure exhaustion. If she’s cleaning her face and drifts off, her paw might just land right over her eyes—because making the extra effort to move it back down takes more energy than she’s willing to spare.

The sight of a cat covering its eyes is heartwarming and cute, but it’s also a reminder of the many instincts and habits that make cats unique. Whether for comfort, warmth, security, or simply out of habit, covering their eyes seems to help them relax and get the sleep they need.

So next time you see your cat with a paw draped over its eyes, you can appreciate the many reasons behind this adorable, mysterious behavior.