Protection, Comfort or Cold?

Monet was never really a snuggler. Occasionally, he'd wake me up at night for a minute or so of hugs and petting. Very, very rarely during the day he'd sit on my lap, and when he does, it's never for more than a minute. He never really liked to be held or cuddled with, and he hates to be picked up.

Then a few nights ago, I was having a nightmare.. and Monet woke me up by licking my face hard, pawing at my face, even biting my nose to get me up. When I woke up, he promptly spooned himself against me, purred, and never left my side all night.

Same thing for the last 2 nights. He stayed pressed against me each night for most of the night. He even purred, which is a rare thing with him. If he catches my eyes open to look at him, he's on my chest, demanding a hug and strokes for a long time.
Yesterday, he had even let me pick him up and put him on my lap while watching TV and he stayed, purring for nearly 10 minutes! (he usually jumps right off if I did this)

I am wondering.. if this is a new-found comfort for him, or is he protecting me from further nightmares.. or is it the change in weather and nights are colder and he's seeking warmth?

either way, I am LOVING this snuggle side of him! I hope he doesn't stop! lol

*shrug*

cats change. He's maybe just entering another phase in his life where he's decided being close to you is important. Or maybe you are warm and he is cold. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, just make the most of every moment. If you allow him to be close to you and he feels warm and secure this might well be a permanent change, so I'm delighted for you

Hard telling what he is doing. Da Lip cuddles in winter and during summer storms only, the rest of the time, he sleeps on his own corner of the bed. Da Magpie cuddles almost all year but Blue is following Da Lip's pattern. Easy test, though - if the ear tips are cool, the cat may just be seeking warmth

But.....Awwwwwww!!! to him waking you up from your nightmare!!!

I think he did that, and discovered that he likes snuggling after all!

I'll go with "All of the above."
Freya's gotten more cuddly in the past year, but she's always loved to sleep with me once it starts to get cool. One of the first signs of Autumn around here is that the number of cats in the bed goes up.

On the other hand, I've always called her my kidney-cat. I'm predisposed to having weaker kidneys (nothing horrible, just something I'm aware of) I'f I'm having kidney issues or am on the verge of getting them, she spends the whole night curled up against my kidneys, so I do believe some of it is a protective instinct.

Either way, it's certainly cute.

I'll do All of The Above, too. And you're very lucky!

3 of mine are snugglers and love bugs. Herc however prefers to sleep on his own in the quiet of the living room. He doesnt care for being picked up but he gets a bug up his butt once in a while and wants to snuggle. When Im feeling sad or lonely or anything he is the first one in my lap giving me loveys. They all have their moods but the general core of their personality is the same and Herc will 9 times outta 10 sleep alone and the other three will always be in bed with me.

Originally Posted by nanner

But.....Awwwwwww!!! to him waking you up from your nightmare!!!

I think he did that, and discovered that he likes snuggling after all!

Click to expand...

I'm with nanner on this one. But whatever the reason, how sweet!