Different types of sleeping positions
If you have a cat, you probably already know that we are particular in most of our preferences from food to sleeping positions. Personally, I love laying stretched out on my stomach, but I also switch it up a lot, too! There are many different types of sleeping positions from which your cat can choose. Some of them may not even be included on this list! Cats are creative and curious so they may try to find new ways to keep comfortable. For the most part, there are a few signs to look for to make sure your cat is feeling their very best.
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Cat sleeping on back
If you notice your furry friend sleeping on their back, this is a great sign! This usually means they are comfortable with you. Cats are very particular in terms of where they will accept rubs and scratches. Some cats love belly rubs and others despise them. Regardless, if your cat is exposing their cute little tummy, they trust you and feel safe with you. When cats lay in this position, they are usually not on alert or concerned about their surroundings.
2. Cat positions that can hint at pain
All of us furry friends have different habits and routines. You know your cat best, so anything out of the ordinary can hint at pain for them. It’s important to observe them and notice any changes that may come up. Of course, not all changes mean your cat is in pain. But usually when we are doing something differently, it is for a specific reason. In general, if you notice your cat looks anxious or their ears are pressed back there is usually something wrong.
When cats lay on their side, this might mean that they are in some sort of pain. Lying on their side can help relieve any joint pain. This position can also assist with your cat’s breathing if they are having trouble doing so. Both issues can foreshadow serious illnesses, so it is important to know when it’s time to get your kitty checked out. My human, Jeff, and I have adopted the policy that it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your furry friend’s health!
3. Cat sleeping/cuddling with you
If your cat sleeps or cuddles with you - you are in luck! This means they love you very much. But don’t worry! Even if your furry friend does not cuddle with you, they still do love you. But this is an exciting sign that your cat feels comfortable enough with you to put their defenses down while asleep. Cats are not usually known for being “extra” cuddly. But each one of us is unique and special! This sleeping position might also mean that your cat needs a little extra love and attention.
4. Cat sleeping all day long
Almost all of us cats love our sleeping time. If your cat is sleeping all day long, this is not necessarily a sign of any problems. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s important to consider your cat’s specific habits when analyzing their sleeping positions. If your cat plays most of their day and all of a sudden starts sleeping more often, this might hint at something being wrong. The reason why cats love sleeping so much is an instinctive tendency coming from the wild. When cats are in the wild, they sleep to conserve their energy. This is to make sure if a predator comes and tries to threaten them, they will have enough energy to fight back. Cats must recharge often by getting enough sleep.
5. Cat sleeping positions when sick
Like I mentioned earlier, if your furry friend is sleeping on their side this usually means that something is wrong. Some other things to look out for are if your cat has a hunched back or is in a position where they look uncomfortable. Noticing when your kitty is sleeping in different places or positions is something to look out for to make sure they are feeling their best.
6. Cat sleeping in odd places
Cats are known to sleep in strange places. You often hear of cat parents that buy many different types of beds, only to find your kitty in a cardboard box. In general, this is because cats like to be in different hiding places so they can keep an eye on whatever is going on in their surroundings. Cats also like to curl up and fit themselves into small places because it is comfortable for them. This is also a way for us to stay warm and retain their body heat.
7. Cat loaf position
The “cat loaf” is one of my personal favorite positions! The reason why us cats love this position so much is it allows us to be comfortable, but also ready to make quick movements if needed. Also, we just look so adorable! My human, Jeff, says i’m his favorite kind of loaf.
When you are a pet parent of any kind, it’s important to understand and observe your pet’s habits on a daily basis. If they start making significant changes to their routine, they may be hinting that something is wrong with their health. Sadly, we cannot speak human language and our meows tend to be difficult to understand. So we have to show our pet parents that something is wrong in other ways. One of the ways we do this is the positions in which we are sleeping. Us cats are very strong creatures, and will often try to hide any sort of illness or pain we are having. That is why it’s so important to keep an eye on our habits and patterns. Just because we start sleeping in a different position, does not automatically mean there is something wrong. But as a rule of thumb, it’s important to pay attention. Some other factors to pay attention to are our eating habits, our drinking habits, and how playful we are. Can you believe that my human, Jeff, woke me up from my nap to write this blog post?! I am happy to help other furry friends… but you have got to be kitten me!