Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Why do cats like to sleep curled up in a ball? This adorable habit explained

Paige Cerulli
By

Cats have some pretty curious sleeping habits, and you might notice that your cat sleeps in some unusual positions. Often, cats tend to curl up into tight little balls when they sleep, and you might wonder how that position can possibly be comfortable. Truth is, there are a few reasons why cats choose this sleeping position, and your cat is probably quite comfortable even when she’s completely curled up. If your cat sleeps in a ball, you don’t have to worry. There’s nothing wrong and she’s just doing what comes naturally to her. In fact, there are pretty logical explanations behind most of your cat’s peculiar sleeping habits.

Grey cat sleeping on a couch in front of a radiator
Vnukko / Pixabay

Why do cats sleep in a ball?

According to PetMD, there may be several reasons why your cat sleeps curled up into a ball. By curling up tightly, your cat is conserving his body heat, so he stays nice and warm during his nap. You might notice your cat curls up more tightly when it’s cold in your house.

Recommended Videos

Your cat’s position is also rooted in safety. By curling up into a tight ball, your cat is naturally defending himself against predators. You might notice that your cat curls up so he can fit into a tight space. For example, he might wedge himself into the corner formed by the arm and back of your couch. This position provides your cat with some solid walls around him, so he might feel less vulnerable and more comfortable going to sleep.

Cats aren’t the only animals to sleep curled up. Many other mammals, like bears and foxes, assume this position, too. Even birds tuck up a foot into their body while sleeping, which can help to retain heat.

Why do cats like to touch you when you sleep?

According to Union Lake Veterinary Hospital, if your cat touches you when you sleep it indicates that she’s chosen you. Cats can be pretty picky about who they sleep with, so take this as a compliment.

Your cat may have chosen you for many reasons. If you’re the primary person in the house who feeds her, that care may have helped to strengthen your bond. Cats might also seek you out because your bed is a warm and cozy spot, or because they trust you and you help to make them feel safe. It’s also possible for cats to have favorite humans in the home, and if your cat curls up to you and touches you at night, she may just be demonstrating that you’re her favorite person.

Calico cat sleeping on a porch curled up
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why is it bad to sleep with your cat?

Sleeping with your cat can be comforting and reassuring to your both, and you might enjoy that your cat has chosen to curl up with you each night. But letting your cat sleep in bed with you can also lead to some problems.

If you or your partner have allergies, having your cat in your bed all night can make those allergies worse. If your cat moves to different spots in the bed, you might find that you become uncomfortable from trying to sleep in different positions to give your cat space.

It’s also possible that your cat may wake you up repeatedly at night. An active cat might shift around in bed frequently. Your cat may want to play during the night, so having him in your room with you could disrupt your sleep multiple times a night. These problems don’t always occur, and some cats may be perfectly happy to sleep through the night, but you’ll need to determine what works best for you and your cat.

If you keep a close eye on your cat, you’ll get to know his sleep habits, whether he sleeps in bed with you or in a cat bed of his own. Your cat’s sleep habits can provide important information about his health and comfort. Sudden changes in his sleep habits, like sleeping significantly more or less, may indicate that your cat is experiencing a health issue and may need some help. Unusual changes in your cat’s sleeping positions can also indicate whether he’s not feeling well or is just uncomfortable and having a hard time getting into the positions he normally enjoys. The more you’re able to monitor your cat’s sleep, the better you’ll be able to tell if anything is ever unusual and if your cat might need to see the vet.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Why do cats have 9 lives? The origins of the saying
Here's what we found out about cats and their many lives
A tabby cat looks up eith blue eyes

Whether you've lived with cats in your home all your life or have never even gotten close enough to pet one, there are a few feline facts, myths, and stereotypes that you're bound to have heard. Cat characters in TV shows and movies are great at perpetuating this knowledge, though no one can confirm or deny these feline fun facts and generalizations quite like the pets we know and love.

It doesn't take long to learn that cats can have a huge attitude, for example, or that they don't always get along well with other animals like dogs do. It's easy to understand why cat owners and feline fans alike can get caught up in these stereotypes. But at the same time, other feline fun facts -- like why cats are said to have 9 lives -- remain shrouded in mystery.
Until now! We've done some digging into the origin and accuracy of the old saying: "Why do cats have 9 lives," and here's what we uncovered.

Read more
Why you should feel honored if your cat sleeps at your feet
If you've ever wondered about this cat behavior, this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to sleep, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your kitty's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. In fact, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? It's a mix of your cat's affection for you, a feeling of safety, and even the body heat you generate that play into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Read more
4 reasons why cats wag their tails while lying down
This behavior is almost always never something to worry about
Cat yawns while sitting in a window

We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Read more