To keep warm, most cats curl up into a ball and cover their face with their paws, but in addition to this popular pose, there are others. Of particular interest is the paws-up position, when the pet's belly is open for everyone to see.
This position makes the animal more vulnerable, and the owners are sincerely perplexed why some cats like to lie down and even sleep on their backs. In addition to complete trust in the owner, there are other reasons, including pathological ones.
What does it mean if a cat sleeps on its back?
A cat's tummy is the most vulnerable and sensitively protected part of the body. Mustached pets avoid his stroking at the level of reflexes, so a very small part of them do not resist the caresses of their owner.
After falling asleep, defenselessness increases. Knowing this, the animals arrange themselves in a ball or “loaf” in advance, minimizing the number of zones for a possible attack. But there are exceptions due to one of the reasons listed below.
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Cats spend most of their time “recharging” in a state of dozing, immediately reacting to any suspicious rustle.
Trusts
In safe conditions, mustachioed pets instinctively roll over onto their backs out of simple convenience. The love for this position comes from childhood, when a mother cat would turn her babies over and lick their bellies before bed. Such washing not only stimulated intestinal motility, but also relaxed.
If your pet often falls asleep in a similar position next to you, then he trusts you infinitely and is not afraid of a sudden attack. It's not easy to earn this attitude, so you can be proud of yourself.
He's feeling hot
Another reason is high room temperature. An open belly and legs spread out to the sides speed up the cooling process.
In hot weather, animals try to sleep on tiles or the ground. Their breathing rate also increases, because the evaporation of saliva contributes to a faster decrease in body temperature.
Like humans, cats have sweat glands in completely hairless or almost hairless areas. The catch is that there are only 2 of them: the muzzle and the paw pads. Because of this, wet prints often appear on the floor in hot weather.
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Thick fur impairs natural cooling. Because of this, cats with long hair and dense undercoat most often roll over onto their back.
Relieves pain
In case of health problems, the sleep position in question becomes forced. It relieves discomfort in the following conditions:
- arthritis (pressure on the paws decreases);
- headaches (blood flow to the brain is normalized by stretching the spine in a straight line);
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and banal overeating (the load on the stomach decreases).
If the reason lies in stomach pain, then any touch for the purpose of inspection can result in aggression on the part of the disturbed animal. In this case, you should contact your veterinarian.
Sleeping curled up
“I’m trying to sleep, but I’m not entirely comfortable.” This is exactly what the cat communicates when taking this pose. She curls up and puts her head on her hind legs. Although this position may seem incredibly comfortable and safe to a human, in reality the cat feels some anxiety and is trying to protect the most vulnerable parts of its body. The cat mainly hides its belly and wraps its tail around it. This position also allows the cat to better maintain a comfortable temperature, which is why she often sleeps like this in cold weather.
Why cats lie on their backs but don't sleep
Before directly analyzing the situation, it is important to verify the fact of the dream. If the cat is lying on its back, but is awake, then its position will be explained by completely different reasons.
Defend against attack
Despite the vulnerability of the tummy, in a certain position its demonstration becomes part of a defensive posture. If the cat feels uneasy around other pets or strangers who have come to visit, then it can lie on its back with its claws extended. From this position it is convenient to attack with paws and teeth.
playing
When in a playful mood, cats often roll from side to side, trying to grab something with their paws. In this way they demonstrate the hunting instinct, so you should not touch the belly with your bare hands or feet.
Instead, it is recommended to throw a toy mouse, ball or plush toy into your pet's paws. After that, he will happily begin to bite her and kick her with his hind legs.
Attract attention
Cats are famous manipulators. They quickly remember the habits and reactions of their owners to certain actions. What causes delight and tenderness is noticed with particular interest: meowing in response to human speech, a plaintive look, graceful stretching and demonstration of a fluffy belly. Pets skillfully use all this to extort treats and attention to themselves.
“ If your cat is in the mood for affection and demonstrates good nature with her entire appearance, then do not wait for her to change her mind and take advantage of the moment.
Overate
Inactive neutered pets are most prone to overeating. To avoid obesity, their diet must be constantly monitored. If you do not comply with the daily caloric intake and feed your pet out of pity, then he may have serious digestive problems.
Frequent overeating slows down the digestion of food. Its excess accumulates in the stomach and stretches its walls, causing pain and heaviness. Trying to eliminate the discomfort, the cat lies on its back and tucks its paws. This position reduces pressure on the stomach that is overloaded with food.
Cats in heat
At puberty, cats begin to loudly call for the cat, raise the back of their body and roll on the floor on their back. There is no point in scolding your pet for night concerts. Estrus is a natural process that encourages an animal to take certain actions, regardless of desires.
Behavior can deteriorate for the worse even in the most obedient mustaches. Try to be patient and be sure to sterilize your pet if you do not plan to breed kittens.
A similar problem can bother the male. During sexual hunting, discomfort occurs in the groin due to increasing arousal. It is unrealistic to satisfy him without mating, but it is quite possible to weaken the sensations. This is facilitated by the position with the belly up. Despite its effectiveness, here it is also better to turn to castration, since it gives not a temporary, but a permanent result.
Big belly bothers me
This problem occurs not only in overfed animals, but also in frankly fat ones, as well as pregnant women. In the latter case, kittens increase the load on internal organs. They make it difficult for the mother to breathe, so the only comfortable position is lying on her back.
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Separating kittens from their mother too early affects their sleeping position. Such babies grow up less confident and very rarely show their belly.
Tangle pose
It is considered the most common, where owners often find their pets. The main reason for taking this position is the colder weather. Wrapping up in a ball helps cats retain heat and expend less energy. Sometimes they additionally wrap their tail around themselves and hide their nose. The second explanation is no less important: the pet thus takes a safe position. The stomach is considered the most vulnerable place for animals, so they curl up into a ball to protect their internal organs.
Other reasons:
- severe stress;
- anxiety;
- feeling of loneliness;
- unfamiliar environment.
Is it possible to stroke your belly at such moments?
Everything here is very individual. Based on the circumstances and character of your pet.
Active twitching of the paws and antennae is characteristic of the dreaming phase. Touching at such a moment can awaken and frighten the animal, provoking a defensive attack. Also, stroking should be avoided when the pet is already at the ready with its claws extended or is trying to digest what it has eaten with pain in its eyes.
If your pet is as tactile as possible, then you can touch it under almost any circumstances. Caution should be exercised only in case of painful sensations and during play, when your arms and legs are perceived as prey.
Loaf pose
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One of the cutest sleeping positions for cats is when the animal lies on its stomach and tucks its front paws. In it, pets do not fall asleep soundly, but doze quietly, always remaining alert. At any moment, the cat remains ready to wake up to run about its business, for example, go to the toilet, eat or play. It will be common to constantly open the eyes, sometimes the pet keeps them half-closed. Another reason for the pose is fear or a feeling of threat, a reaction to changes in the environment.
Belly up
In this position, the cat sleeps on its back and spreads its paws. When cats bare their bellies, they are letting the world know that they feel safe and happy in their surroundings. The stomach is considered the most vulnerable part of the body, and by leaving it unprotected, the cat is sure that it is not in any danger.
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Belly up is the most vulnerable position in all animals. If your cat bares it, it's a sign that she trusts you and feels safe in her home. You can be proud that you have created the most suitable conditions for your purr.
In the box
Shoe boxes, bathroom sinks, and even empty cardboard boxes are just a few weird and wonderful places where your cat might want to take a nap. Purrs like to squeeze into tight spaces where they feel safer, as opposed to the potential dangers of an open space.
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A perceived hazard in your home could be something as trivial as a washing machine or vacuum cleaner in the corner of the room, so don't be alarmed by this behavior. A cat may crawl into drawers, baskets and boxes, as well as into secret corners, under beds and tablecloths - this is all completely normal.
These animals have a natural need for warmth and protection, and these enclosed spaces create a quiet and peaceful environment for cats. If you don't have such a secret corner in your home, create one. Make a cozy house for your cat out of a box by placing bedding in it. You will see that this will be Fluffy's favorite place to sleep.
Sleeping with half-closed eyes
No matter how cute and domesticated your cat may be, she is still a predator at heart. Cats remain alert to everything that happens around them, so they have to fight the urge to doze off and settle into a more comfortable position. This way they stay alert. If your cat sleeps with one eye open, it means that one part of her brain is asleep and the other is awake.
In a sitting position
The sitting position is when the cat sleeps in an upright position, covering its paws with its tail. If you look closely, your cat is probably awake. Most often she just rests, so she can take action at any moment. It's just a pet put on pause.
This sleeping position allows them to wake up and attack the source of the threat with lightning speed. Cats in this position will often feel anxious. If your pet is often in this position, then think about what worries him, what he might be afraid of. Create a secluded corner for him or put up a house where he can completely relax.
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Covering your nose with your paws
Have you ever noticed how your cat covers her face or head with her paws when she sleeps? There are several reasons why animals may prefer this position. If their paws are covering their eyes, they may be blocking the sun or bright light in the room, or trying to keep their nose warm.
If they cover their head, it means they don't want to be disturbed. When cats hide their heads, they feel safe and protected, sending a signal that they want to be alone. If you notice that your pet is sleeping in this position, it is better to leave him and not wake him.
