One of our cats’ favorite activities is sleeping, and they usually sleep a lot during the day. What’s most interesting about their sleeping is the positions that you can find them in.
Seeing your cat sleeping in different positions can simply melt your heart, but sometimes you may wonder how they can sleep in certain positions at all and how it can be so comfortable.
So, here are some of the most common cat sleeping positions and their meanings.
1. The Classic Cat Sleeping Position
You have probably seen your kitty sleeping in the loaf position many times. The loaf of bread is a classic cat sleeping position, and most cats practice it. Cats usually lie down with their front legs tucked under their chest.
However, when you find your kitty in this sleeping position, it usually means that it is taking a quick catnap rather than falling into a deep sleep.
The cat loaf position is considered to be something in between. It allows cats to be both relaxed enough to doze off occasionally and alert enough to react swiftly when something interesting happens.
Another variation of this sleeping position is when a cat lies down but doesn’t tuck in its front paws. This position is for a quick nap; they can react more quickly when they don’t tuck their paws in.
2. A Cat Sleeping With Its Belly Up
The belly-up position is more often seen in indoor cats than outdoor cats. The reason for that is that stray cats always need to be vigilant; therefore, they won’t lie down with their belly up and expose their vital organs and the whole body if they don’t feel safe.
However, indoor cats have this luxury and are able to lie down with their belly up in different spots around the house.
So, if you find your kitty lying with its belly up, you can consider yourself a lucky person because it means that your cat feels safe, protected, and loved beside you, which is why it doesn’t worry about being in a vulnerable position next to you.
3. A Cat Curled In A Ball
This sleeping position refers to the cat’s position and not to a spot where your kitty curls up. You’ll soon understand why we refer to this position as a cat curled in a ball.
When cats choose this position, they curl themselves up so tightly that they look like real furballs. They hug their back legs with their front legs. In this sleeping position, they can easily sink into a deeper sleep and still feel safe.
The reason for that is their position. By curling themselves in a ball, they protect their vital organs from predators and cover their faces, so if anything bad happens, they still have some time to react.
That is the main reason why stray and wild cats can often be seen sleeping in this position. As this sleeping position is common for many cats, they choose it for several reasons:
• It’s comfortable and warm
• They feel safe and protected
• They show you love if they curl in a ball next to you
4. Superman Sleeping Position
Do I need to explain this sleeping position? I think that its name says it all. Still, let’s describe it a little bit.
Cats often lay on their belly with their front and back legs stretched out. Another variety is similar, except they lie on their backs with one front paw stretched out.
When you find your kitty sleeping like this, you must admit that it looks like a furry little Supercat. If your cat is stretched out in this sleeping position, you should know that it’ll probably sink into a deep sleep as it feels comfortable and highly relaxed next to you.
5. Contortionist
The cat’s sleeping position, known as the contortionist, may appear in several shapes. However, one thing they all have in common is that every contortionist position is weird.
That is why most cat owners wonder how their cats are able to be comfortable in that position or if they even have bones at all!
Well, the answer is that cats are extremely flexible animals which allows them to feel comfortable when sleeping in these positions. When they lie down, they stretch their front legs above their head, with their back paws in different directions.
Cats usually take this sleeping position after they stretch, and it also means that your kitty feels safe and protected with you.
6. Cat Sleeping With Eyes Half Shut
If you notice your kitty sleeping with its eyes half shut, it cannot really be called sleeping. It actually happens during quick catnaps where cats don’t sink into a deep sleep but rather chill and pay attention to what’s happening around them.
The attention may be directed to you and possible treats or something that will cheer your cat up, but it may also be directed to possible stressors in your home, such as unfamiliar people and similar.
7. Cat Sleeping With Paws Covering Their Eyes
Seeing your feline friend covering its face with paws is usually a sign that you should leave your cat alone to rest. This is definitely one of the most adorable cat sleeping positions, and there are several reasons why cats cover their eyes while sleeping:
• They’re warm
• They’re comfortable
• They feel safe
• They’re tired
• They want to block the light or noises
Usually, when cats cover their eyes while sleeping, it’s like when we put a sleeping mask on – they don’t want to be disturbed, or they’re in a deep sleep. As cats are known to be independent animals, it’s not a surprise they want some time to themselves.
So, no matter how cute they look with their paws across their face, stay strong and don’t bother them.
8. Side Sleeping
Side sleeping is another position where cats expose their vulnerable organs, which means that they won’t lie down like this everywhere. So, when they lie down on their side, their vulnerable belly is exposed.
However, they don’t often fall into a deep sleep when in this position because they’re able to get up very quickly and react in case of danger.
Still, if your kitty is a sideways sleeper when around you, then it means that it feels safe and secure with you, which sometimes may trick it into falling into a deep sleep.
9. A Cat Sleeping With Other Cats
If you have more cat pets, then their sleeping position will be extra adorable. Kittens usually tuck in close to each other or a mother cat so that they will be warm, safe, and comfortable sleeping.
Moreover, if you see two cats, especially adult ones, sleeping together, it also means that they trust each other and they’re comfortable in each other’s company.