Why Your Old Cat Is Sleeping In The Bathtub?

Cats have a special talent when it comes to finding the perfect spot to sleep. Whether the right napping spot is lying between your legs during movie night or your cat curling up in their favorite chair, blissfully snoozing away, they have no problem sleeping in the strangest areas. But why would your cat sleep in the bathtub? Why do cats find a cold, and seemingly uncomfortable basin so desirable if it’s so close to their mortal enemy, water?

Warm And Padded Isn’t Always Ideal

You might have noticed that during different times of the year, you may find your cat sleeping in different spots. Part of the reason is that your cat might be attracted to the bathtub is the same reason why you would sit under a tree on a sunny day: it’s cooler. Your cat has a built-in warming device – their fur, which is great for when it’s cold outside, however it can leave your cat in a prickly situation when the temperature starts heating up.

You will probably notice that your cat’s sleeping locations will often coincide with significant temperature changes. On cooler days, your cat may prefer to sleep in the sun that’s coming through a window or may curl up in front of the radiator or stove. When the weather gets warmer, your cat is probably seeking out cooler places to sleep, like the bathtub. This behavior is normal and is just how cats keep themselves comfortable.

Attention
Your morning routine is probably something like this: your alarm wakes you up, you get out of bed, and then over to the bathroom. If your cat knows your morning routine, they might be positioning themselves to get your attention first thing in the morning. By snoozing away in the bathtub, your cat could be there to remind you of your most important task for the day – loving your kitty. There are lots of reasons why your cat is napping in the bathtub but one thing is clear: it’s not a good idea to turn the tap on while your cat’s in there. We all know that a wet cat is usually an unhappy cat.

Is It A Sign Of Sickness?

Pain-related Sleep Changes
According to the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, a cat that suddenly sleeps in strange places can be an indication that a cat could be in pain. If a cat is in pain, they may be trying to avoid contact with humans by sleeping in areas that are harder for their owners to find them, just like in the bathtub.

Fear-based Changes
A cat may also change their sleeping locations out of fear. A major stressor, like bringing a new pet into the house, could prompt a cat to seek out safer places to sleep. For instance, if you bring home a new dog, your cat who may normally sleep on the couch may start sleeping in the bathtub.

Signs Of A Sick Cat
While there’re plenty of logical reasons behind cats changing up their sleeping areas, a cat sleeping in strange places can also indicate that the cat is sick. If your cat is suddenly sleeping in odd locations without any apparent reason behind the change, it may be a good time to get them checked by the vet.

In addition to seeking out unusual sleeping places, a cat that’s sick could demonstrate changes in their sleep patterns, such as sleeping more or less than usual. Pet Health Network states that if your cat suddenly changes from being up during the day to being up all night and vocalizing, they could be indicating that they aren’t well by showing these symptoms.

Why Cats Sleep In Weird Places

Since their nature dictates that they sleep a lot, they always have a specific preference when it comes to their sleeping areas. Cats typically prefer napping in spots that are high above everything. In nature, cats prefer to be able to see all around themselves when they’re at their most vulnerable (sleeping) and they may also choose a spot that’s easily defended or to escape from. For example, they’ll try sleeping in areas that have more than one way to get away in a hurry.

Sometimes cats like to feel that they’re hidden away. In a lot of cases, they’ll choose somewhere to nap with limited entrances so that they can carefully watch and defend only one direction. When a cat feels that they’re enclosed, they know that they don’t have to “watch their back”. This is part of the reason our cats love to hide in boxes or baskets. The safety of being enclosed very is appealing as it’s more defensible and low profile. A cat can feel as if they can let their guard down and only think about danger coming from one spot in a good hiding place.

Some cats seem to literally plop down where ever they are for a snooze and that’s probably true and a good sign, as it means that the cat feels very secure in your home. But it might be that your cat has instinctively selected their spot in the bathtub strategically and you just can’t see it because you’re not a cat!