Sleep Position and Cat Health

Usually, cats in good health choose to sleep in positions like curling up, lying on their side, or sleeping on their back. However, when cats feel unwell, they will not adopt these more relaxed sleeping positions, but instead sleep in a squatting position, such as when they have abdominal pain. At this time, owners can observe whether the cat shows symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, dry nose, and walking with a hunched back. If so, it is recommended to take the cat to the pet hospital for inspection and treatment in a timely manner.

Sleep Position in Good Health
Curling up

When a cat first arrives in a unfamiliar environment, it will curl up to sleep due to nervousness and fear. Owners are advised to spend more time with the cat to alleviate its tension. Additionally, cats will curl up when they feel cold, which can keep them warm. Owners should provide appropriate heating equipment to prevent the cat from catching a cold.

Lying on one side

When the surrounding environment is warm, cats choose to sleep on their side to help themselves dissipate heat better. Cats are also observed to prefer sleeping on the ground or in cool places. Owners should pay attention to keeping the cat hydrated to prevent heatstroke.

Sleeping on back

Exposing the belly and sleeping with four legs up is a sign of the cat feeling secure in its surroundings, believing there is no danger, and being comfortable. If the cat's breathing rate is about 30 times per minute while resting, it means the cat is in a comfortable state and owners don't need to worry too much.

Sleep Position when Unwell

When a cat is unwell, it will not adopt relaxed sleeping positions, but instead assumes a squatting position. If the cat constantly hides in one place, maintaining a squatting position and refusing to come out, accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, etc., it indicates that the cat may be sick, possibly with pain in its limbs or abdomen. This squatting position can alleviate their discomfort. Owners should take the cat to the pet hospital in a timely manner for inspection and treatment.

Note: Judging a cat's health based on its sleep position is not very accurate. Most cats first show signs of decreased appetite, reduced activity, or accompanied by obvious vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, etc., when they are unwell.