Mary Allen
Cats sleep or doze for up to 20 hours a day. How you lie says a lot about your health and well-being.
Anyone who watches their cat sleep knows how many crazy positions there are for cats. And it’s worth taking a closer look: Where and how your cat rests says a lot about its well-being and character. Find out here what the seven most common sleeping positions reveal.
Temperature and The Sleeping Position of the Cat
Whether on the scratching post, on the floor or maybe even in bed – the ambient temperature plays a decisive role in the sleeping position.
Cat Curls Uptight, Head Between Paws
A cat that is out in the cold will seek somewhere reasonably sheltered to rest. To keep warm, she curls up as tightly as possible, perhaps hiding her head between her paws. This is how she protects herself from drafts. A cat that sleeps curled up in an apartment or house wants it to be warmer.
Semi-long-haired cats often use their tails as a “scarf” that they wrap around their bodies to keep them warm.
The Cat Stretches Out For a Long Time
When it’s warm, cats like to sleep stretched out on a cool surface. The cooling earth surface of plant pots can also be attractive as a lying surface in such cases.
Preferred sleeping position for deeply relaxed cats
Among adult cats there are the deeply relaxed types who sleep on their backs on the sofa, exposing their sensitive stomachs and vulnerable throats.
Cat Lies on Its Back and Shows Its Belly
Relaxed cats sleep on their backs and show their tummy. They signal absolute well-being and freedom from fear. In multi-cat households, only a very high-ranking cat can afford such a sleeping position.
If a high-ranking cat’s family expands with the addition of a human child or a lively dog, it still often adopts this sleeping position. But only in places that cannot be reached by the new family member. If the cat rests where it could be touched by the new family member, it prefers a position that allows for a quick escape.
Sleeping Position For Insecure Cats
Cats that are feeling annoyed, insecure, or uncomfortable will seek out inaccessible places to rest whenever possible. Also, choose a position that allows them to jump up quickly.
Cat is Curled Up With Back to Human, Head up, Ears Turned Back
Even if the cats have their eyes closed in this position, this has nothing to do with relaxed deep sleep. Curled up with their backs to humans, they keep their heads up and turn both ears back so they don’t miss a thing. You are ready to flee at any time.
This position is often seen in cats that are new to a household and not quite at home yet. Even sick cats often rest like this. If this position is adopted very frequently, you should observe your cat closely (food and water intake, urination and defecation, behavior change, signs of pain) and consult your veterinarian if you suspect a health problem.
Sleeping Positions For Resting and Dozing
These sleeping positions are particularly common for cats to rest and snooze.
Chest and Stomach are Flat, Hind Legs Underbody, Front Legs Under the Chest
In the so-called small cat position, the cat’s chest and belly lie on the ground, the hind legs rest bent under the body and the front legs are pulled under the chest, the pads of the paws are either put on, which makes it possible to jump up in fractions of a second, or comfortably folded under, which indicates more confidence in the environment.
Lie On Your Chest With Your Knees Bent
The breast side position, in which the cat’s legs are bent, is also very popular with resting cats. The cat is not completely at the mercy of this and always retains control, but can still relax and gather strength.
Sleeping Position to Recharge Your Batteries
This sleeping position is extremely popular among cats. So it seems to be particularly comfortable for cats.
The Cat lies on Its Side, Head on the Floor, Legs Stretched Out
Lying on its side is extremely comfortable for the cat to sleep in, and it also makes it easier to cleanse the brain of chemical breakdown products. A kind of “reset” for the head, so to speak, which makes the cat fresh and alert again for the upcoming adventures of the next day.
Sleeping Positions of Kittens
All kinds of particularly relaxed sleeping positions can still be observed in kittens. Just kicked at the milk bar and then suddenly stretched out on the side or lying flat on the stomach, the front, and rear legs stretched out as long as possible, but also the supine position with outstretched front and rear legs or front legs were drawn up can often be seen.
Older kittens, on the other hand, who can already leave the nest and romp around together, often just fall asleep where they are. And in the most impossible positions. Completely exhausted and completely limp. Sitting, supported only by a piece of furniture, lying on his back, head, and outstretched front legs hanging from the sofa. The Internet is full of such pictures, which often make you think: “But that can hardly be comfortable!” Such kittens know no dangers and have not yet had any negative experiences.