Skip to main content

The funniest cat sleeping positions we’ve seen

Cats have taken over the internet, and nothing seems to spark more awws than a sleeping kitty enjoying some sunshine and z’s. Since cats sleep up to 16 hours per day, there’s plenty of time to catch them in the act of snoozing in strange places. We’ve seen our cats do weird things in their sleep like run or pounce with legs in the air, but it’s almost funnier just to find them zonked out in an odd position. It might not seem restful to us, but your pets surely have their own weird sleeping arrangements. If you need a break from the daily grind, check out these funny cat sleeping positions.

Cat sleeps on its back in a cardboard box
klevers/Shutterstock

In a box

Cats are hiders by nature, and their instinct is to find shelter and protect themselves from predators. That’s why you might find them holed up in an enclosed space like a box or sink. They also might be snuggling up for warmth or scratching at the cardboard between dreams. As for why they enjoy squeezing into way too small a space, we have yet to get an answer from them.

Related Videos
Two cats sleeping together

With another pet

Nothing beats watching your furry kids snuggling up together. Extra points if you get a mix of breeds in the cuddle puddle. Just like humans, our pets love to do this for comfort and warmth, but it might have an element of safety in numbers as well. Regardless, it’s mega-cute to find our kitties snoozing together.

Cat sleeping curled up in a blanket
Snapwire/Pexels.com

Under a blanket

Don’t mistake covers as being just for humans — our cats want to wrap themselves up in a security blanket, too. While this may enlarge your dry-cleaning bill, you can make up for it by snapping a few pics of your feline looking particularly cute. Remember, she might be seeking out your scent, so you’ll almost certainly discover her on your favorite duvet or in the laundry pile.

Kitten sleeping on her back under a blanket
waa630227/Pixabay.com

On her back

We wonder how this can be comfortable, but cats must be onto something considering how well they sleep all day. When your cat’s on her back and somehow twice her usual length, it may be time to give her a little belly rub or prepare her favorite toys for after her nap. Cats who lie on their backs are feeling safe, so you can rest assured you’re being a great pet parent. 

Orange cat resting on a perch
Pixabay/Pexels.com

On her tummy

Quite the opposite of napping on her back, she can also curl her paws under and become smaller than you thought possible. Usually when we find our cats in this position, it means they aren’t really sleeping, just resting. Still, it’s certainly an amusing way to catch them in the act of fake sleep. They could be about to drift off or thinking lazily of their next napping location.

Cat curled up in a ball being pet

Curled up

We don’t recommend imitating this position, but it seems to work for our furry friends. Lots of animals sleep nose to rear because it keeps them protected. It also might help your kitty stay warm by conserving her body heat. She still wants you to go for a surprise head scratch most of the time, even though her ears might be hard to find.

In our beds

Becoming a pet parent means a lifetime of sharing the bed. Despite their relatively small size, our cats take up a surprising amount of room when hunkering down with us. They’ll surely enjoy doubling up for warmth and reminding you of their presence while you’re asleep. Who wouldn’t want to be clawed awake by a dreaming cat? Unfortunately, you might not be able to ignore her at all as she always seems to find the least convenient spot in the bed or on your pillow.

No matter whether you discover your cat sleeping on her side, back, or stomach, you’re sure to enjoy catching her in funny places and doing funny things. In addition to being memeworthy, this keeps her safe, warm, and happy to be cuddled up. The next time you find your feline auditioning to be a circus performer, remember that she’s signaling that she feels safe and comfortable with you. She may even be looking for you to join her in a nap.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Are urinary tract infections in cats possible? What cat parents should know about this condition
What to know about prevention and treatment of UTIs in cats
Gray cat in a cat bed

UTIs are a common and pesky condition in humans. It’s short for urinary tract infection. A UTI is an infection of a part of the urinary system, like the bladder, kidneys, or urethra, as the name implies. UTIs can involve painful burning sensations when peeing. They affect about 10 out of 25 women and 3 out of 25 men at least once, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

Cat parents may wonder: What is the rate of urinary tract infections in cats? Unfortunately, it’s not zero. Cats can get UTIs. The good news is that cat health experts don’t commonly see the issue when treating felines. However, it’s still good to think about the urinary tract when approaching your cat’s health.

Read more
Bengal cats: What to know about these quirky descendants of Asian leopards
Bengal cat breed facts that may surprise you
A Bengal cat lies on a white floor and bathes their forelimb

With their striking rosette coats and low-maintenance grooming needs, Bengal cats are already one of the most desired breeds in the world. Once known as Safari cats, the breed went through a name change in the 1970s to reflect its fascinating heritage. But what is living like a Bengal cat actually like? Are they as feisty as their Asian leopard ancestors?
We'll explore the Bengal cat's personality in depth, covering everything from a brief look into their history, the most common Bengal personality traits, and any breed-specific requirements that may hinder your quest to adopt one of these lovely cats.

Bengal cat history
While some cat breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau, can trace their lineage as far back as 10,000 B.C.E., the Bengal cat is a relative newcomer on the scene. The Bengal cat was first bred deliberately in California in the 1980s, after cat breeder Jean Mill crossed a domestic shorthair (a black tomcat) with an Asian leopard cat. Asian leopard cats, a breed of dainty wildcats hailing from Southeast Asia, are also known as Felis bengalensis -- hence the aforementioned name change from Safari cat to "Bengal cat," -- a nod to this hybrid breed's wild ancestor.
However, there may be another reason for the switch that led to the newly dubbed Bengal cat. When the breed's name was changed in 1974, the man responsible was named William "Bill" Engler -- B. Engler. Some believe he drew inspiration from his own name.

Read more
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

Read more