When cats lay on their back

When your cat sees you it will walk over to you and flop over on its back, exposing its belly to you. What does this position mean and what is your cat trying to tell you? Your Staten Island cat hospital can give you more insight into cat behavior, but here is a quick explanation of this odd feline body position.

The Meaning Behind the Belly-Up Pose – From your Staten Island Cat Hospital

Many people think that the belly up position is a sign of submission and if we were talking about dogs it certainly would be. However, when it comes to cats things are a little bit different. In felines, the belly up position is actually more of a defensive move. When your cat is lying on its back, it is able to attack with all four of its sharp clawed paws as well as its pointy teeth. If anyone tries to touch the cat in this position, they are ready to fight back.

This explains why, when you go to give your kitty a belly-rub, she tends to kick and bite you. It might seem like she is giving you mixed signals, but she really isn’t!

However, sometimes a cat will take on the belly-up position when they are feeling playful. Your furry friend is telling you that he wants to play a game and doesn’t mean any offense by the gesture. How can you tell the difference between this and the defensive position?

Of course, you will know the moods of your cat best and you can rely on the context of the situation to give you clues. A good hint from your Staten Island cat hospital is to look at the position of your kitty’s ears. If they are flattened back against the cat’s head, this is a sign that he is feeling defensive and ready to attack. If they are up and facing forward, your kitty is ready to play.

For more hints and information about cat behavior, contact your Staten Island cat hospital.

It doesn’t get much cuter than walking into a room and seeing your cat sleeping with their fluffy bellies sticking in the air. You’re probably used to watching your pets sleep on their sides and stomachs, but it feels like a special treat when they’re lounging comfortably on their backs. Most people think that cats only sleep on their backs when they feel safe. This belief is partly true, but there could be some other reasons why they’re lying like this so much.

Do Cats Sleep on Their Backs Normally?

It’s more common for cats to sleep in a position where their bellies aren’t exposed, but that doesn’t mean that it’s abnormal either. Each cat is different. Some prefer to curl into a tiny little ball and make themselves less visible to predators. Others sleep completely sprawled out like they don’t have a care in the world. Depending on your cat and their personality, their sleeping positions could differ.

Cats sleep for up to 16 hours every day. Because sleep is such a significant part of their lives, they try to settle down in the comfiest position possible. Wouldn’t you if you had this kind of schedule? Here are a few possible reasons why your cats may be sleeping on their backs more than others:

The 10 Reasons Cats Sleep on Their Backs:

Not many cats are willing to leave their underbellies exposed. This position is a direct shot to all of their internal organs and puts them at higher risk of getting injured during an attack. If your kitty sleeps on their back, you should feel pretty good about yourself because it means they feel safe and comfortable enough in their home to trust that they won’t get hurt.

Even though it may appear that your cat is asleep, sometimes they’re faking it. There are cats that pretend to be asleep with their bellies exposed. While they wait for someone, or something, to touch their bellies, they are ready to defend themselves by using all four of their legs to latch on and protect themselves with their sharp claws and teeth.

A lot of animals are at a disadvantage in this position, but cats use it to their advantage because they can easily scratch and bite a predator from it. If you see your cat in this position, try your best to refrain from rubbing their furry bellies. It’s tempting but let them enjoy themselves.

It’s not enjoyable to lay in the same positions all day long. Lying on their backs allows cats to stretch their muscles and rest. Sometimes it’s nice to expose their bellies to sunlight coming in through a window and take some of their weight off of their legs for once. Sometimes overweight cats and senior cats also enjoy this because it feels less painful.

A cat may be sleeping on their backs more often if they have stomach or digestive issues. Sitting on their stomachs for long periods of time could make them feel worse. If you notice that their new sleeping position is paired up with vomiting, increased thirst, decreased appetite, or lethargy, take them to the vet to get checked out.

Cats overheat and feel toasty a lot of the time because of their thick coats. Rolling onto their backs helps cool them off. You may notice it happens more when they lay down on cool tile or other cold surfaces. If you think your cat is overheating, check for signs like rapid breathing, vomiting, stumbling, or fever.

Likewise, cats also roll onto their backs near a fireplace, heater, radiator, or sunny window. They absorb the extra heat through their paw pads and bellies to feel toasty warm.

It’s hit or miss if your cat enjoys belly rubs. Some can’t get enough of them, and other cats will attack you the moment you get too close. If they flip over and show you their belly, take them up on their off. Be careful, though. If they don’t like it, you’ll be sure to know.

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Kittens lie on their backs when they are being groomed by their mother. Grooming is a primal behavior, and it sometimes carries on even as they fully mature. If your cat lays on their back when they see you, they may be asking you to pet or brush them.

Some female cats sleep on their backs whenever they are in eat. Female cats do this to attract males by emitting pheromones from their neck, face, and anus. This scent spreads easier when they are on their backs. If you haven’t got your cat fixed and she starts laying on her back every day, know that it could take over a week for the behavior to stop.

You won’t notice a bump in a pregnant cat for several weeks after they conceive, but pregnant cats sleep on their backs more often because it relieves the pressure and weight that they carry around all day. If they’re not showing discomfort, it’s completely normal behavior.

Final Thoughts

Some cats love sleeping belly up, and some prefer to be a little less exposed. Regardless, sleeping on their backs isn’t something to be too concerned about. This is a fairly normal behavior with many different reasons behind it. Hopefully, you’ve been able to use this article to help narrow down why your cat has started doing this and, if you’re lucky, you’ll be one of the few cat owners who get to love on their fluffy bellies all day long.

Featured Image Credit: Jim Black, Pixabay

Most cats sleep on their bellies with their legs tucked underneath them. They may even curl their head and tail up to conserve warmth and feel protected. This is a safe, comfortable, and normal way for cats to sleep. That makes it unusual to find your cat stretched out on its back. While it’s less common, this is perfectly normal.

Cats sleep on their backs when they feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings. If your cat is pregnant, obese, or elderly, it may be trying to take the weight off its stomach or limbs. It can be a way to absorb warmth from a sunny window or cool off on a chilly tile floor. Some cats may sleep on their backs when seeking attention. Consequently, female cats usually sleep on their backs when they are in heat to attract mates.

If your cat has a digestive issue, it may be trying to find relief on its back. As long as you’ve ruled out any medical issues, it’s not a cause for concern. While most cats never sleep on their back, if yours does, then let it enjoy itself. It feels protected in your home, comfortable on its back, and happy to relax. 

Do Cats Normally Sleep on Their Backs?

Most cats do not sleep on their backs. They don’t like their bellies exposed and find it less comfortable to stretch out with their spine against the floor.

For most felines, the ideal sleeping position will always be on the belly. Lying on their paws with their body curled up provides the most warmth and protection. It even helps a cat appear smaller (and thus harder to spot by predators) when it’s sleeping. However, some cats forgo all of that to sleep:

• On their sides
• Sprawled out, with their legs extended in front and behind them
• On their backs, legs curled in or splayed out

It depends on the cat. Your feline may only do it once or make it a regular habit. It may even be based on its mood, such as when it’s feeling:

• Full and happy after a filling meal
• Warm in a sunny window
• Tired and worn out after play time

With that said, there is a higher chance of this behavior in certain cats. For example, overweight cats, pregnant cats, or cats with a digestive issue may sleep on their backs regularly. It’s not just comfort; it’s a necessity.  

What Does It Mean When Cats Sleep on Their Backs?

Cats sleep for 12 to 16 hours per day, and your feline may choose to spend this time on its back. Unfortunately, there are no official studies that confirm the exact reasons for this behavior in cats. Owners still have many logical theories, though, that can explain what it means for your feline:

Feeling Safe

This position leaves a cat’s belly exposed and open to attack. If your feline is willing to ignore that and sleep on its back, it means the cat feels safe in its environment. It doesn’t expect a sneak attack from you, any objects in your home, or even other pets.

This could be the case if your feline is normally jumpy around others but feels comfortable letting its guard down around you. Some other signs that your cat feels safe include:

Defensive Position

With that said, if a cat sleeps with belly exposed, it’s not always pure trust. The cat may be pretending to sleep, hoping that a nearby playmate (or even yourself) will make the mistake of touching its belly. The cat will be able to use all four legs to grip the offender and use its claws. It can even curl inward and use its sharp teeth.

Unlike many animals, which are at a pure disadvantage when fighting on their back, cats are rather capable in this position. Some will even purposefully roll onto their back during a fight with another cat.

It gives them a great chance to grip the top half of the creature with its front legs, and scratch at the belly with its back legs. Other signs that your cat is in defense-mode include:

• Legs gently moving as it lies on its back, preparing to strike
• Body tense and legs slightly up
• Eyes partly or fully open

If you see your cat lying in this position, you should avoid disturbing it. It’s either peacefully resting or preparing to wrestle. Most cats will give up after a few minutes and either bug you or go to sleep.

Feeling Comfortable

Your cat might find the position itself highly comfortable. Sleeping on its back can give it the chance to stretch out and rest its muscles. It may even want to expose its belly to warm sunlight or press up against a cool floor during a hot day.

As a plus, sleeping belly-up takes the cat’s body weight off its legs. That makes the behavior especially common in obese and senior cats. They may find it painful or straining to support their own weight constantly.

Senior cats are prone to developing painful joint or spinal issues. According to Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, up to 90% of senior cats suffer from osteoarthritis. If your older cat is suddenly sleeping on its back, it may be worth scheduling a checkup with a vet.

That isn’t to say fat or old cats do not lay on their backs for other reasons. Just be sure the feline isn’t breathing heavily, appearing to limp when it walks or moving slower than usual.

Tension Headaches

Cats may also lie on their backs when attempting to relieve a tension headache. This shifts part of their body weight onto the back of their skulls and redirects some of the muscle tension.

A feline can develop pain around its neck, skull, and face due to stress and tension. This can be caused by an injury, a scary change in their environment, or a poor diet.

Stomach Problems

Cats may choose to sleep on their backs due to stomach problems. It’s not uncommon for cats to develop gastritis or inflammation of their stomach lining.

This painful condition can make it difficult for cats to sit on their bellies for long periods. As a result, they may start lying on their backs to find relief. Other signs of gastritis in cats include:

• Sudden vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Increased thirst
• Sudden lethargy or depression
• Blood in the vomit

If your cat has begun sleeping on its back and exhibits these symptoms, take it to the vet. Resting belly-up will provide some relief, but it can’t fix the problem.

Cooling Off

If your cat is overheating or just feeling toasty, it may roll onto its back to sleep. That’s especially true on tile floors or other surfaces that are cool to the touch.

Sleeping on its back will allow a cat to maximize its contact points with the cold sleeping area. The cat may also stretch out its legs to keep from retaining heat. Even its paw pads and underarms will be exposed, helping its body dispel the extra warmth.

This is harmless (and adorable) behavior, as long as your feline doesn’t have heat stroke. If it’s recently been outside during a heatwave, or your AC is not working, then look for negative symptoms. These include:

• Rapid breathing
• Vomiting
• Red tongue and mouth
• Stumbling when walking
• A rectal temperature that exceeds 105oF

Warming Up

Your cat may enact the same behavior when it feels cold. This is only true if it’s lying belly-up next to a heater, fireplace, radiator, or in a sunny window. The cat will be trying to absorb the extra heat, especially against its belly and paw pads. If the cat is chilly and there’s no clear heat source, then it’s likely to curl up and try to conserve any warmth it can.

Asking to Be Groomed

Many kittens lie on their back when they’re asking to be groomed by their mothers. This primal behavior may persist even when the cat is fully grown and no longer around its mother.

In this situation, your cat may lay on its back when it sees you. It expects you to pet, brush, or otherwise groom it. You can respond to this behavior by rubbing its head gently or picking it up to brush it.

Asking for Belly Rubs

Many people long to own a feline that enjoys belly rubs. It’s a somewhat rare trait, but certain cats do possess it. In this case, the feline will flip over and wait for you to begin scratching, patting, or rubbing its stomach.

You should definitely take your cat up on the offer. The experience will help foster a deeper bond between you two. Just be sure it’s indeed asking for a belly rub. It may also be feeling playful. In that case, it’s trying to lure you into putting your hand within range of its claws.

Attracting Mates

Felines occasionally sleep on their backs when they are in heat. This is common in female cats that are trying to attract a mate.

Females accomplish this by emitting pheromones from the glands located around their face, neck, and anus. These indicate they’re ready to breed. The scent can be easier to release and spread when they’re on their backs, exposing the anal glands.

A female cat’s heat lasts around a week. If your pet’s behavior persists for longer than this, it may be on its back for a different reason.

Pregnancy

Female cats do not exhibit a noticeable belly bump until they are several weeks into the pregnancy. However, they may still feel the weight and stomach pressure of their pregnancy before any signs are visible. This can encourage your expecting cat to lie belly-up when it sleeps. As long as it doesn’t manifest any other signs of discomfort, that’s perfectly natural.

Why Does My Cat Sleep Belly Up?

If your cat doesn’t make sleeping on its back a regular habit, it may still choose specific times to do this. Let’s explore a few instances and what they mean:

Why Do Fat Cats Sleep on Their Backs?

Fat cats sleep on their backs to give their arms and legs a break. Their body weight can take a toll on their tiny limbs. It’s easier for them to get comfortable by sleeping in this position.

Why Do Cats Lay on Their Back When They See You?

If your cat lies on its back when it sees you, it’s usually happy about your presence. It’s encouraging you to play with it, pet it, or give it attention.  

Do Cats Like Sleeping on Their Back?

Some cats like sleeping on their backs and others don’t. Most cats don’t sleep belly-up because it’s a vulnerable position. Likewise, they may find it uncomfortable putting all their weight on their spine.

Other cats may love sleeping on their back. It takes the weight off their legs, lets them absorb warm or cool temperatures, and may even encourage a belly rub. 

Cat Showing Belly While Sleeping

If your cat shows its belly while sleeping, it could be an invitation for a belly rub, or it may be deep asleep. You can test the waters by making your presence known with a sound and then trying to pet it. If your cat closes its eyes and starts purring, it may be enjoying it. If it starts swiping at you and meowing, you should back off.

Cats sleep on their backs for comfort and because they feel safe. There are times when it signals a health issue, but it’s usually harmless. Feel free to appreciate it. It’s an adorable habit that very few cats indulge in.

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