Have you ever encountered a kitten that has to spin around a few times before lying down to sleep?
Is this some kind of mysterious ritual?
Some cats will cover their faces, stick out their tongues, or twitch while sleeping...
Cute face-covering pose!
Her little tongue is sticking out!
Why do cats act so dramatic even when they're sleeping?
Today we'll explore some of the "weird" behaviors cats exhibit while sleeping.
01
cat before going to sleep
When your cat sleeps, does it just lie down and start snoring away?
Should we do some warm-up exercises? For example:
Spinning around
On foreign forums, many cat owners are wondering why their cats always circle around a few times before lying down to sleep...
According to feline behaviorists, although modern domestic cats live indoors and don't have to worry about predators or harsh weather, they still perform a "sleep ritual" inherited from their ancestors...
The reason why the ancestral cats performed this ritual may be:
▌Reason 1 (Marked)
Cats rule their own territory
Cats have scent glands on their paws. When they circle, they mark their territory with their scent, which also damages the vegetation on the ground. Both actions signal to other cats that this is their private territory and trespassing is prohibited!
Reason 2: Making the bed
A cat's circling motion helps flatten tall grass, dig out stones from the soil, and check for other things that might prick it, creating a comfortable resting place, much like a human making their bed.
Reason 3: Insulation/Cooling
As it spun around, the cat wrapped its tail around its body, eventually curling itself into a "cat bun" to keep warm...
On the other hand, this action by the cat might also be for cooling off. By turning around to dig out cooler dirt, a cat might also use this action to find a cool spot on the blanket.
Reason 4: Drives away other small creatures
Outdoors, cats don't welcome other creatures in their sleeping areas, and they scare away snakes or insects by circling around before going to sleep.
Besides spinning in circles, cats might also do the following before going to sleep:
kneading milk
Soft and fluffy, the kitten loves it, time to go to sleep~
Kneading is always a symbol of comfort and ease for cats, and this is no exception. The cats find the "bedding" very appealing, feeling comfortable and relaxed; some kittens even fall asleep while kneading...
After completing the preparations, when it's time for the cat to finally go to sleep, it may exhibit some "strange" behaviors...
02
The cat is fast asleep
Covering head and face
Actually, the cat isn't doing this pose to look cute...
According to behavioral scientist Linda's conjecture, it might be because:
Shade
Cats love to sunbathe, but to avoid the glare in their eyes, they use their paws as sunglasses...
Give yourself a sense of security
It can also prevent harassment...
When sleeping, cats often use their paws (or other objects) to protect their head, face, and other vital areas, possibly to protect themselves from harm and to give themselves a sense of security...
I fell asleep while cleaning...
Cats typically spend 15% to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves.
When a cat's grooming process coincides with its drowsiness, the result is... it falls asleep while grooming, and coincidentally, its paws are on its face at that moment.
Tickling
Cat owners who have carefully observed their cats may have noticed that some cats will occasionally twitch while sound asleep. Sometimes it's just a slight movement of their whiskers, and sometimes the whole cat will twitch as if it's about to run...
Why is that?
➤ Normal dreaming
Most mammals experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and cats are no exception.
Scientists also believe that cats may dream about things that frequently happen in their lives while they are asleep.
➤ Feeling cold
When cats feel cold, they may unconsciously regulate their body temperature by shivering.
However, this situation often occurs in kittens with poor adaptability and self-regulation.
➤ Digesting food
A cat's abdomen may be twitching or spasming, which could indicate that it is digesting food...
!Get ill
Just like humans can have muscle cramps, cats can also experience muscle spasms, which may indicate other diseases or health problems.
For example, epilepsy, sleep disorders caused by parasites, other metabolic diseases (such as hepatic encephalopathy, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, etc.) or poisoning diseases.
sticking out tongue
Just like how people sometimes open their mouths and drool unconsciously when they are asleep, cats also open their mouths slightly and stick out their tongues when they are sound asleep because their muscles relax.
The cat has had a good sleep, so it's time to get up!
What do cats do after waking up?
03
After the cat wakes up
Meow
Have you ever had this experience?
When a cat wakes up, it starts meowing. Actually, behind that meowing is the kitten...
Just a reminder!
The cat woke up, but there was no food in its bowl, no water in its water bowl, and the litter box was too full for it to put its feet down...
Pet owners are reminded to meet their cats' physiological needs as soon as possible!
We need you!
Where are you, human? Why are you leaving the cat here alone?
Some veterinarians believe that cats meow after waking up because they don't see their owners. Cats with a strong attachment to their owners may meow while searching for them.
He's in heat...
It might be during the cat's heat cycle; the cat started howling after waking up... (It's recommended to neuter kittens of the appropriate age as soon as possible).
yawn
Ha~Yawn~
A cat that has just woken up may instinctively open its mouth wide to expel carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen because its brain is lacking oxygen.
Add a stretch to loosen your joints and muscles, and you'll wake yourself up quickly.
Do you understand now that you've read the explanation above?
