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Cat Loaf Pose: What is it & Why Do Cats Loaf?

Have you ever looked at a sitting cat and thought they looked like a loaf of bread? Sitting, they have a rectangular body with rounded edges, like a cat bread loaf. If you haven’t thought about that, you’re probably thinking now about how that makes sense, right? Thus, we have the cat loaf pose.

The term “cat loaf” gradually became part of the collective vocabulary of cat lovers and social media users, with people sharing cat loaf drawing art, images and videos of their cats in this distinctive position. But what exactly does the position of a cat loaf mean, and why do cats assume this cozy position?

Our experts delve into this phenomenon, exploring the reasons behind this endearing behavior and what it signifies about your feline friend.

What is a Cat Loaf?

If you still don’t see a loaf of bread when you look at a resting cat, find a cat that’s resting with their back paws tucked under their body. Look down directly over that cat. Do you see it now? In that pose, whether or not the front paws are all tucked in, the cat’s body appears compact and rounded, giving it a distinctively loaf-like appearance. Generally speaking, a cat assumes the loaf position to relax while instinctively remaining alert. 

What Are the Different Cat Loaf Positions?

As most bakeries have a fine variety of bread loaves to choose from, sweet cat loaves come in several different varieties, too, including: 

What Do the Different Types of Cat Loaf Mean?

What does it mean when a cat loafs? Each variation of the cat loaf can give insights into your cat’s mood and if they’re relaxing or if there are warning signs that they’re not feeling so great. Here’s our guide to those varieties with potential reasons for each type of cat loaf position.

Why Do Cats Loaf?

Why do cats sit like a loaf? There’s actually nothing wrong with it. All cats sit. These cat sitting positions are natural responses to their body’s needs, and behavior modification isn't needed, no matter how funny looking. It’s just important to know why they’re sitting in these types of loaf positions, paired with their body language.

As the word “loafing” is defined, a loafing cat is usually relaxed. But there may be a few other reasons for loafing: 

For more expert tips on cat behaviors, explore our other articles about understanding cats.