Felines are fastidiously clean animals who spend about half their waking time grooming. So, it may seem strange to discover that your cat likes sleeping on your used clothing. Do you frequently find your kitty curled up on your favorite sweater, dozing in the laundry hamper, or climbing into your clothes drawers? Don’t worry, this is completely normal behavior for our furry friends! Below, Cat in a Flat dives into the main reasons why your cat likes sleeping on your clothes. 

Why does my cat like sleeping on my clothes?

Why does my cat like sleeping on my clothes? There can be many reasons why your fur friend loves cozying up in the laundry pile. It could be because Mr Whiskers likes the smell, feel safer in enclosed areas like drawers or hampers, or simply loves the texture of your clothing. This is just another endearing (albeit slightly weird) behavior from your friend! So, let’s find out more about what prompts your cat to sleep on your clothes.

Familiar scents

Your kitty has a powerful nose, which can make them extra-sensitive to certain odors. Your feline’s superpower sense of smell allows them to pick up on scents that you can’t. This might explain why your cat likes sleeping on your clothes: it’s because it smells like you, their favorite human! Believe it or not, you have a distinct smell to your cat that other humans can’t pick up on. And when you wear an item of clothing, you leave that scent behind. Your kitty probably seeks out your used clothes because this smell is comforting. Mr Whiskers associates the familiar scent in your clothes with their territory, and this makes them feels safe and happy. 

Warmth & Softness

Cats spend a lot of their time sleeping. And you’ve probably noticed your fur friend scouting out prime nap spots by the radiator, in a sunny window, or curled up in your clothes! This is because felines seek out warmth. Hence, part of the appeal of burrowing into your laundry hamper is that it’s a warm and soft place to sleep! Our fur friends are also tactile animals. This means they enjoy the feel of certain fabrics more than others. Your kitty may show they like a certain fabric by ‘making biscuits’ or sleeping on it. For example, one of your used t-shirts or jumpers may feel softer and more appealing as a napping spot than your duvet cover. 

Privacy & Nesting Instincts

It’s common knowledge that cats love boxes because they offer an enclosed sense of safety. The same goes for drawers, laundry baskets, or hampers. It’s possible your cat likes sleeping in your clothes because they’re shy and are seeking out a comforting place where they can have a little privacy. Or perhaps they’re instinctually creating a fortress or nest where they can feel secure. Remember that it’s never a good idea to force a kitty out of a hiding spot to interact with you. Disruptions like these can be very upsetting and stressful for your fur friend. Instead, let them come out in their own time and make spending time together a pawsitive experience with cuddles, playtime, and treats! 

Marking Territory

Cats are very territorial and often leave their scent by rubbing, scratching, or even spraying. Sleeping on your clothes serves a double purpose for your fur friend: not only do they like that it smells of you, but they’re transferring their scent and marking their territory too. Look at it as a sign your kitty loves you—they want everyone to know that you belong to them! This may also explain why cats like sleeping on clean clothes too. They’re trying to make your clean laundry smell like the rest of their home. 

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Should I stop my cat from sleeping on my clothes?

Should I stop my cat from sleeping on my clothes? Unless it really bothers you, there’s no reason to prevent your kitty from sleeping on your clothes. Obviously, sporting cat fur on your clothing can be a side effect of Mr Whiskers’ snoozing habits. But while it can be annoying to have use a lint or fur roller to get rid of Mr Whiskers hair, look at it as a small price to pay for your furry friend! Sleeping on your clothes brings your cat a lot of comfort, makes them feel loved, and is their way of connecting with you. 

As long as you don’t mind the occasional inconvenience of finding your kitty hiding in a drawer, having to extract your favorite sweater from underneath Mr Whiskers so you can wear it, or needing to remove fur from your clothes before leaving home, then it’s not necessary to stop your cat from sleeping on your clothes. 

However, if you really don’t want your cat to sleep on your clothing, there are a few alternatives you can try.

Tips to prevent your cat sleeping on your clothes

• Get your kitty a soft cat bed or scratching tree for napping. Place a used item of clothing that you no longer need on the bed for your cat. Bonus points if you set their bed in a warm spot like a sunny window or by the radiator! 
• Keep your clothes put away, especially clean ones as Mr Whiskers may be more eager to leave their scent on these.
• Before going out of town, put away your clothes but leave a basket full of dirty laundry out for your fur friend. Your kitty misses you when you’re not around and sleeping on your clothes can help them feel less anxious. Make sure to let your wonderful cat sitter know that it’s okay for Mr Whiskers to nap in the clothes basket while you’re away! 

At the end of the day, you shouldn’t feel too concerned if your cat likes sleeping on your clothes. They enjoy it for the same reason they might like sleeping on you or following you to the bathroom: because it strengthens your bond! So, try to enjoy this little quirk for what it is and appreciate your kitty’s love for you. 

Curious about other strange feline behaviors? Check out our blog post answering your top questions about cat behavior, learn about what your kitty is really thinking, and what to do when your fur friend brings you ‘gifts’!