As you know, cats will sleep in all sorts of crazy positions. Sometimes I’ll find mine on the bed with his legs straight up in the air, yet fast asleep. But, the most common position to find him sleeping in, is curled up in a ball. And I’m sure you can relate. I’ve always wondered why they do this – are they cold? Are they Seeking comfort? So why do cats sleep in a ball?
The most popular belief to why cats sleep sleep in a ball is for security. A cat’s underbelly is soft and vulnerable, so sleeping in a tight ball allows a higher level of protection, which comforts them. Additionally, this sleeping position helps conserve energy by keeping them warmer.
A cat’s sleeping position reveals so much about how they are feeling and how comfortable they are, especially as it relates to you and your household. So let’s have a look at the tight ball position and a few other common sleeping positions, and what your cat may be communicating through them.
Cats Sleep in Tight Balls for Many Reasons, Namely Security
Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, in fact there are over 75 million domesticate cats in the United States alone. They were first used as rodent control, but over time they became valued for their companionship and affection.
Today, cats are kept as pets for a variety of reasons, including their adorable antics and ability to provide comfort and love. Cats play an important role in many families and are considered members of the family.
While cats have been domesticated for centuries, they still retain many of their wild instincts. One of these is the instinct to sleep in a ball. The curled up ball, also known as the “Crescent” position, is one of the most common cat sleeping positions.
This behavior is thought to be linked to the cat’s wild ancestor, the African wild cat, who often sleep in tight spaces in order to protect themselves from predators. Cats feel most secure when they are in a small, tight space where they can’t be easily attacked in their most vulnerable areas.
While most house cats today don’t have to worry about predators, the instinct to sleep in a ball is hardwired in their DNA, and no matter how safe they truly feel, it’s always going to be a go-to sleeping position.
It Help Keeps Your Cat Warm
When cats sleep in the crescent position, they tuck their head and legs in close to their body which helps them retain heat. Curling up in a ball for a nap helps reduce heat loss and insulates your little friend to keep them warm.
This is especially important for kittens and elderly cats who are more susceptible to cold temperatures. Cats have an average body temperature of 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Your cat is running a little hotter than you are!
Cats expend an enormous amount of their body’s energy on grooming, so they are always looking for ways to conserve energy, and sleeping in a ball is one of the most efficient ways to do this.
Between the higher body temperature and constant grooming, your cat has to work a little hard to main a proper body temperature, but uses the ball sleeping position as a cheat of sorts to conserving energy.
Dogs do this as well – if you have a dog, you’ve probably seen them curled in a ball too, and they have the same motivation for this sleeping position as cats – it keeps them warm and helps them feel secure.
It’s Comfortable
When cats curl up into a ball, they are able to get into a deep sleep more easily. This is because they don’t have to worry about balancing any part of their body or keeping their head up.
And since cats can sleep for up to 18 hours a day, it’s important for them to be comfortable when they do sleep. So the next time your cat’s snoozing in a curled up crescent, let them rest, you wouldn’t want to interfere with their precious 18 hours a day of sleep, right?
Other Positions You May Frequently Seeing Your Cat Sleep In
The “Crescent” position, curled up in a ball, is extremely common, but there are plenty of other positions cats love for sleeping and napping. Here are a few other ones you may have noticed, and what they tend to communicate.
The “Belly Up” Sleeping Position for Cats
Cats also like to sleep on their back with their legs straight up in the air and fast asleep. This position is known as the “Belly Up” position and is often seen as a sign of relaxation and comfort.
The “Belly Up” position is the opposite the “Crescent” position, curled up ball, as your cat is letting themselves be fully exposed by sleeping on their back. They are at complete ease with their surroundings and trust the people around them completely.
It might not look comfortable to humans, but if your cat is sleeping like this, give yourself a pat on the back – you’ve created an environment and a relationship with them where they have zero cares in the world.
The Burrowing Sleeping Position for Cats
Outside of his love for the crescent or sleeping on his back with his legs up, my cat loves to burrow in the closet. Building a little nest amongst my littered shoes – he finds comfort in this mess.
But it’s not just something my cat does, finding tight spaces to sleep in like the African wild cats. This is known as the “burrowing” position and is a signals a higher need for safety and security.
Don’t take it as a slight though – sometimes cats will do this just because they can, but it can also mean they’re feeling insecure or nervous. If you start to see this as a common behavior, try to figure out if anything stressful has developed for them, such as a change in the house, a new addition that might mess with their feng shui.
It could be as simple as moving their litter box or placing something on top of their favorite lounging spot. Or it could be as dramatic as a new addition to your family like a dog or baby.
Cats will be cats, and you may find that there is no cause for concern, it’s just your cat doing the usual atypical behavior.
The Loaf Sleeping Position for Cats
The “loaf” position is exactly what it sounds like – when your cat sits upright but their paws are tucked underneath their bodies and they look like a loaf of bread. It’s a personal favorite because it always makes me smile, but I know I have to catch it quickly because it’s a fleeting position.
The loaf is a type of sleeping position reserved for quick cat naps as it doesn’t seem to be as comfortable for them for prolonged sleeping.
Even looking at a cat in the loaf position, you can tell they are ready to sprint or stand up at any moment’s notice – they get into this position with the intent of not remaining in it long, or being on alert in case they have to bolt.
It’s important to note that this position also provides maximum security to their underbellies, but with the added advantage of being able to activate flight mode instantly.
The One Eye Open Sleeping Position for Cats
Cats sleeping patterns are a little different than ours, and while sleeping with one eye open isn’t a human behavior (hopefully not at least…) it can be a common half awake and half asleep look for cats.
When your cat is sleeping with one eye open they are dozing but also staying somewhat alert.
Going back to those wild undomesticated days, your cat had to be ready to spring into action at any moment if there was a threat. So cats will often engage in this type of light sleep as a way to get some rest but still be aware of their surroundings.
There’s No Rule Book for Cat Sleeping Styles
So why do cats sleep in a ball? It’s an instinctual behavior that helps them feel safe and warm, get some serious REM sleep, and regulate that body temperature, while also conserving energy. But there are a few other positions that are nearly as common as the tight ball look.
Some are real signs of comfort with you, the cat parent, others may be signs that there’s some sort of uncertainty in the home. But in general, cats can be finicky, and may just sleep a certain way because they simply want to.
But the next time you see your cat snoozing in a ball, know that they’re just doing what comes naturally to them – and let your kitty get his 18 hours of rest.