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Why are cats sleeping on you so comforting?

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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 08:58 AM
Original message
Why are cats sleeping on you so comforting?
It must be fall... cats are sitting and sleeping on me all the time again. No pics now, but I am lying on the couch with one on my chest, the laptop on my stomach, and one between my knees. They're heavy! But they're so nice there, it's very reassuring somehow. Why is that?
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:00 AM
Response to Original message
1. I've read in a few places that purring vibrations promote healing
and better bloodflow, on top of owning a pet in the first place lowering blood pressure. Further, the sound of purring mimics the sound of a heartbeat you'd hear if you were back in a womb, which lulls mammals to sleep. This is why, supposedly, lions and the like will purr up against their kills to calm them down while they die, to make it easier on both of them.
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hedgehog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:10 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. On the way home from his surgery last Spring, my husband and I
stopped by a friend's house and ended up coming home with a new cat. The cat parked itself on my husband's lap and purred continuously the next few weeks. We joke, half seriously, that the cat helped him heal up faster!
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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:27 AM
Response to Reply #1
4. That is very interesting! I had no idea.
Wow. Compassionate killers if you will. Isn't nature amazing?
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Tuesday Afternoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 11:31 AM
Response to Reply #1
8. think that big cat purred to that croc...
coolest pic ever.
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 11:33 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. mebbie after a good drag to the shade
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Tuesday Afternoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. I wish it was a video of it...
damn. it was awesome!
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raccoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:25 AM
Response to Original message
3. And because you know they love you. nt
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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:28 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. True.
They love me a lot more when it's cold, haha. :D
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hamsterjill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 09:29 AM
Response to Original message
6. Cats are free spirits
Cats will sit and sleep only where they feel comfortable. It's a great honor to know that a cat trusts you enough to fall asleep on you.

Plus when they're all snoozy and warm, they just look so darn cute and peaceful!!!

I've been told that is why Republicans don't like cats much - because cats can't be controlled and aren't easily compelled to do things.
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Orsino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 10:51 AM
Response to Original message
7. My Google-fu is weak, but there is a quotation from Johnson or Twain, I think...
along the lines of: "It may be possible to have a happy, comfortable home without a cat, but how can it be proven?"
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meow2u3 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:10 PM
Response to Original message
11. My little kitten is playing with my right hand
This little twit is chomping and clawing on my right hand--every time I click the mouse, the kitten comes and attacks it and my hand! I guess he's a bit too young to know the difference between a computer mouse and a live one.
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billyskank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:17 PM
Response to Original message
12. I find it comforting when anything sleeps on me.
Edited on Fri Oct-24-08 12:24 PM by billyskank
Cats, people, whatever. I think that this person is so at ease with me that they can completely surrender themself in my presence.
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dhpgetsit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:21 PM
Response to Original message
13. I've heard that.
But in the case of my cat, she's so damn big and heavy I prefer to have her at my side instead.
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Breeze54 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:23 PM
Response to Original message
14. That's NEVER "comforting" to me... I like to breath.
Although I do love cats and they love me.... way to much.

I love breathing a lot better! ;)
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Ikonoklast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:31 PM
Response to Original message
15. I have two kittens, littermates abandoned by their mom
The male Tuxedo we call Moo (short for Moose) is sitting on my right shoulder, watching me type. Missy, the gray-and-white longhair, is at her station curled up against my left hip, against the throw pillow.

They are still being bottle-fed, and I have to make sure they pee and poop ok. Yes, I have to help. Now they think I'm Mom and follow me around everywhere, and as soon as I sit down they climb up on me and make themselves comfortable.

My sons other two cats, a female Tux and all-black tom are asleep in his room. My two tabby siblings are asleep on my daughters bed.

Cats know who likes them. They choose who they like.
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tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:39 PM
Response to Original message
16. I was at a client's home the other day
and one of their cats climbed on my lap and started to purr and knead. It's a good thing that I was pretty much done with the interview, because I was ready to fall asleep!


I miss cats since my son is allergic to them - I love when they check me out when I go to folk's houses.
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redqueen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:43 PM
Response to Original message
17. Mine steals my covers.
That's not comforting, that's downright hostile.
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The Velveteen Ocelot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 12:45 PM
Response to Original message
18. I have a fluffy fifteen-pounder comforting me right now.
The downside is that he is cutting off the circulation to one arm.
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YellowRubberDuckie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 02:01 PM
Response to Original message
19. Dogs are the same way
When Pru sleeps on me, it's very comforting. I feel like someone really loves me in the world.
Duckie
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demnan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 02:12 PM
Response to Original message
20. Now that I have a fourth cat
I'll be sleeping that way all the time, even when they take turns at night. And mine do this in the summer too.
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 02:36 PM
Response to Original message
21. Auxiliary Heater Cats help cut down on winter energy expenses.
Everybody should have a couple around the house.
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sakabatou Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Oct-24-08 02:46 PM
Response to Original message
22. Not so much comforting
my cat kneads... A LOT.
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