Why Does My Cat Lay On My Dirty Clothes?

Cats aren’t always easy to understand, but their quirky and funny habits make us fall in love with them more. Although you might have bought a comfortable and expensive bed for your kitty, it might still prefer to sleep in the weirdest places.

Finding your cat snoozing in the laundry basket is more common than you think. So, why does my cat lay on my dirty clothes? Keep on reading to know the reason.

You need to make sure that your kitty has access to a comfortable and warm bed, and you should keep your clothes away from the cat. You can also give your feline an old clothing item like a cozy sweater or jacket to keep it comfortable when you’re away from home.

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Why Does My Cat Lay on My Dirty Clothes?

Cats spend long hours cleaning and grooming themselves, so their love for dirty clothes seems a little difficult to understand. They will actually rush into the dirty laundry basket and roll themselves in between the unclean clothes right after cleaning their bodies. Here are a few reasons why your cat might be sleeping on your dirty clothes.

If you have just got back from work and changed your clothes, your outfit might still be warm. Your kitty might be laying your clothes because they’re warm and make the cat feel safe and content.
Your clothes carry your scent, which makes your feline feel safe. The cat thinks of you as a parental figure, and your scent makes your furry baby feel safe, especially if you spend long hours away from home.

Cats have sensitive noses and can identify millions of odors because their noses are 14 times stronger than ours. Your scent helps your cat bond with you, even if you mask it by wearing perfume or deodorant.

Your clothes might be too soft and feel comfortable. Your cat loves touching various textures, and your clothes might feel intriguing. If you’re wearing fuzzy or soft clothes that are made of wool or corduroy, your feline might find them too appealing.
If your cat wants to snooze, it might use your dirty clothes as a comfortable pillow or bedding. Laying on the floor can be too uncomfortable, and piles of clothes provide the needed cushioning, so your cat will sleep comfortably and undisturbed in the laundry basket or wherever you left a pile of unclean clothes.
If you keep your dirty clothes on the bed after taking them off, this will attract your kitty even more. Your cat would love to snooze next to you on the bed, and if you’re not around, your clothes will be the next bed thing. The bed feels warm and comforting, and your scent will make the cat feel safe.
Your feline might be sleeping on your clothes to show its love and affection. When your cat kneads your clothes with its paws, it wants to show you that it loves you and feels comfortable and secure around you.
Cats are curious, so they might be examining your clothes to know where you have been. Due to their sensitive noses, cats can detect where you have been or if you have dealt with other animals. The aromas and scents from the outside world will also attract an indoor cat that doesn’t leave the house that much.
Your cat might be trying to attract your attention by claiming something that actually belongs to you. Whatever the cat finds, it might try to take it to itself as part of its behavior where it tends to mark its territory. When this item belongs to you, it becomes more desirable. Your cat might also be punishing you or preventing you from leaving the house by sleeping on your clothes.
Your clothes seem visually appealing. When you leave your clothes scattered around, your cat will try to sleep on them because they look interesting.
Your cat thinks of you as another cat, so it might be sleeping on your clothes to show that it’s in charge.
If you leave your clothes somewhere, your cat might think that this is a message from you that these items are safe. Because your cat trusts you, it will sleep on your clothes, especially if you’re not at home.

What Will Happen If My Cat is Sleeping on My Clothes?

Your cat won’t be hurt if it sleeps on your clothes. Although you might have already invested in a bed, your feline might still be interested in sleeping in undesirable places.

Things can become problematic if your cat scratches or cuts your clothes. It might do this unintentionally, but this action can cost you a lot of expensive clothing items. Here are some of the consequences of allowing your cat to sleep on your clothes.

If your cat is sick or anxious, it might even pee on your clothes. Getting rid of the pee smell is challenging, and sometimes the lingering odor can prevent you from wearing your favorite clothes.
Even if it doesn’t pee, your cat’s paws might not be clean if it’s been playing in the backyard or if you haven’t cleaned the litter box recently. All the debris will soil your clothes and might even cause stains that are difficult to remove.
The hair and dander on your clothes can ruin their look, especially if you’re wearing dark colors. It can affect your look for an important business meeting or an encounter where you want to leave a good impression.
Cats aren’t solely attracted to dirty clothes. They might also be attracted to clean clothes that feel warm because you’ve just got them out of the dryer. However, because your kitty has slept on the clothes, they might get soiled or smell like cats, so you won’t be able to wear them.
Although you love your cat, you shouldn’t ignore any undesirable behavior, even if it seems harmless at the beginning. Your kitty needs to learn to follow the rules, and as the parent and pet owner, you should set these rules.

How to Stop My Cat From Sleeping on My Dirty Clothes?

Sleeping on your clothes can be a playful act or an action that shows love and affection, but in order to avoid any undesirable consequences, you can do a few things.

Make sure that the bed is comfortable, cozy, and warm so your cat finds it inviting and desirable. Cats appreciate warmth and softness, and if the bed doesn’t satisfy these needs, it will try to sleep somewhere else. It’s a good idea to give your feline a soft blanket to keep it warm.
Set up the bed in a comfortable, undisturbed spot. Make sure that there isn’t a lot of foot traffic where you’re setting up the bed, as the continuous footsteps and sounds from the TV will wake up your cat. As a result, it will try to find another quiet and undisturbed place to snooze, and the laundry basket will seem inviting.
If your cat suffers from separation anxiety, your clothing items might help it cope with your absence. Give your cat an old sweater or jacket and leave it in its bed. This item carries your scent and will comfort your feline if it’s too anxious or nervous. You can even allow your cat to have this clothing item when it’s spending time away from home at the vet’s office or in the animals’ hospital.
Keep the laundry basket away from your cat’s reach. This will restrict its access to the clothes. You should also avoid leaving your clothes on the bed.

Final Thoughts

If your cat is sleeping on your dirty clothes, you need to understand the reason to find a way to fix the problem. Your feline might be sleeping on your clothes to show its love to you, to claim you or your items, or simply because it feels comfortable when it smells your scent.