Common Cat Sleeping Positions and What They Mean

Spending more than half their days snoozing, cats are such famously expert sleepers that we’ve named a whole genre of napping after them. As cat parents, we may frequently regard our slumbering companions and wonder things like: What do they dream about? Is it possible to trade lives with a cat? How can I get my cats to pitch in on my rent?

While animal behaviorists haven’t been able to answer those questions (yet), there is some useful information we can glean from your sleeping kitty. The position your cat sleeps in can tell you a lot about their level of comfort and how secure they feel in your home, and in some cases it can even reveal information about their relationship to you and to each other. Certified cat behaviorists Rita Reimers and Linda Hall of Cat Behavior Alliance took us through several of the most common catnap positions to tell us what they mean—and when you might need to call a vet. 

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Croissant

Sometimes called “the crescent” or “shrimp,” this position refers to when your cat curls up in a neat little ball, nose-to-tail. According to Hall and Reimer, this sleep shape serves several purposes. First, it helps conserve the cat’s body heat, keeping them warm and cozy while they nap. But it’s also a behavioral adaptation left over from their time as a wild species, says Reimers: “In nature, [cats] try to make themselves as small as possible, so predators don't see them.” By sleeping this way, a crescent-shaped napper is instinctively protecting their belly and vital internal organs from threats. 

But don’t fret that your curled-up cat is feeling insecure or at-risk. Hall points out that “it would be hard to get out of that position and run,” so a curled-up cat is still feeling pretty confident that they’re safe. 

Loaf

Possibly the most iconic of all cat poses, with the cat’s belly on the floor and their paws curled neatly underneath, the loaf position shows a cat who’s primed to bolt. Cats are both predator and prey in the wild, so even at rest they often need to be ready to either flee or pounce, and the loaf position is one that they can get up from very quickly if necessary. But don’t take it personally if your cat sleeps this way, says Hall. “Some cats are just naturally more anxious than others,” she said. “That doesn't necessarily mean that you haven't made them feel secure. Maybe they've got some past stuff going on…it's not necessarily a reflection on you.” Cats may also doze off this way when they know they’ve got a mealtime coming, simply so they can dash for their bowls as quickly as possible. 

Side sleeping

A side-sleeping cat is a relaxed and happy cat, and it’s common to find them luxuriating like this on your floor in a nice patch of sunlight. “Side sleeping is a vulnerable position,” says Hall. “That cat is very secure and comfortable…you have made them feel safe.” Having their bodies in as much contact with the floor as possible is also useful for temperature control: cats may assume this position to bask in sunlight during colder seasons, or to spread out on cool surfaces like tile or cement in warmer weather. 

Belly-up

A cat that likes to sleep on its back is displaying the ultimate level of comfort, because not only are all of their internal organs exposed and unprotected, it’s a difficult position for them to get up and run from. “It’s a sign of trust,” says Reimers. So if your cat likes to doze off belly-up, take it for the compliment that it is—but try not to take the bait and rub their tummies, as most cats sadly don’t enjoy a good belly rub. 

Burrowing

A cat that likes to sleep burrowed under a blanket may just be trying to keep warm. In terms of their comfort level and feelings of vulnerability, Hall and Reimers say this is one of the few sleeping positions that could go either way. “Some cats are just burrowers,” says Hall. “In nature, they're looking for bushes, porches, places that they can hide and hunker down, to protect them from the elements and neighborhood dogs or whoever's going to hurt them.” In some cases, burrowing can be a response to stress or fear, like in the case of being exposed to a new person or animal in the house. “But if they’re under the covers with you, it’s because they feel secure,” says Reimers. 

Co-sleeping with you

Obviously, a cat that wants to sleep on top of or close to you does so because it feels bonded to you and is showing affection, and also because you can mutually benefit from each others’ body heat. But did you know that in a house with multiple cats, their position on your body may also reflect their hierarchy? The dominant cat is going to want to sleep “as high up on you as possible,” says Reimers. “If they lay on your head, they're trying to say, ‘This is mine. Top position.’” 

Your smell also plays a role in where they most like to cuddle—armpits, groin, and feet are all popular cuddle spots for a bonded cat. “It doesn’t mean you stink,” Reimers says. “It just means they can smell you.” “We had a client once who was really skirting around trying to say, ‘Why does this cat want to sleep on my junk, in between my legs?’” adds Hall. “Cats love our odor. It makes them feel comfortable.”

Planking/Splooting

Sometimes a cat will nap on its belly, with its front paws stretched out ahead of them and their back legs stretched out behind. “That stretch means that they're not feeling vulnerable,” says Hall. “They're not gonna have to jump up real quick. They're sprawled out.”

When to worry

All of the sleeping positions above are within the realm of normal behavior for a healthy domestic cat. But sometimes, how a cat sleeps can be a sign that something’s not right. Headpressing—when a cat falls asleep sitting still with its head pressed against a wall or piece of furniture—is a definite cause for concern, as it’s usually a sign of hepatic encephalopathy. Falling asleep in the litter box may also merit a trip to the vet, especially if it happens frequently, as it could indicate gastrointestinal problems or a urinary tract infection. A cat sleeping by their water or food bowl is something to look out for, too, as it could be an indicator of diabetes or a thyroid issue. 

Generally, Hall and Reimers also advise cat parents to pay attention when they notice a significant deviation from their cat’s normal behavior, as a sudden shift in their usual habits may be worth a call to the vet. For example: a cat that’s usually not very affectionate suddenly clinging to you, or a cat that’s normally very social tucking itself away. “In order to survive in nature, [cats] mask their illness,” says Reimers. “They'll hide away rather than show you they’re sick. And by the time you notice it, sometimes it's serious.”