Well, the cat sploot is when your cat sits on their belly with their back legs extended out backwards behind them like a frog. There are dogs that sploot, too.
Even if you haven't heard of splooting, odds are you've seen it and smiled wide. "Sploot" is a slang term for the position pets take when they lay on their stomach with their legs stretched out behind them.
“Cats can sleep in lots of different positions based on how hot or cold it is—a cold cat is more likely to curl up into a tight ball, whereas a warm cat will be more stretched out.” So a habitual sideways sleeper with outstretched limbs could indicate he's feeling warm.
The loaf, or Sphinx, is one of the most adorable ways cats sleep. In this position, a cat sits upright with their front paws tucked under their body, resembling a loaf of bread. When a cat drifts off in this position, it means they're content. It also helps them retain body heat.
Sleeping near you
If your kitty likes to sleep near you - or even on you - this is an indication that they have total trust in you.
Position #2: The croissant
Or, they may be in a full croissant. This is when they've curved their body so much that their face is resting next to their hind feet. Generally, if your cat is in the shape of a croissant, they're trying to keep their vital organs warm. Cats can also get particularly cold around their nose.
Rubbing up on you
Your cat may show affection by head-butting or rubbing their cheeks against you. It's the ultimate confirmation that you've earned a spot in their furry circle of friends. They may also do figure-eights around your legs or wrap their tail around you.
Squinted or half-closed eyes are a sign of affection, relaxation and trust. If a cat looks like they're about to fall asleep, they're relaxed and they trust you. Also, they're probably about to fall asleep. Fun fact: Cats also use their eyes to establish the pecking order.
Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
If your cat is walking in a zig-zag manner in front of you, then it is likely trying to herd you. This irregular walking pattern is an attempt to guide you toward wherever your cat would like you to go.
Simple dominance will be exhibited by a cat by marking or spraying urine on territory, stealing and hoarding toys, rubbing its face on items it wants to claim as its own, claiming specific areas to sleep, pushing other cats away from the food bowl, and/or starting at or physically intimidating other cats.
An Oriental shorthair is always in talkative mood, with an unusual cry that's commonly referred to as a honk. "They talk when they want something, want to know what's going on, what you're doing, or where you are," Keiger says. As you can probably guess, these cats are very social animals.
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
Cats Wag Their Tails When They're Happy and Confident
Sometimes she'll also slightly curve the tip of her tail and even twitch or wag it softly. This isn't the same exuberant tail wag dogs use, but it's a subtle way to let you know she's happy and content.
Think of it as the equivalent of a cat fist-bump! Like other strange cat behaviors that may puzzle pet parents, rubbing their head against you has a purpose. Cats nuzzle to show affection and to mark territory, behaviors that share the common goal of leaving their scent behind.
They're Greeting You
If your cat rubs their head on you and begins meowing or purring as soon as you walk into your house, it's likely just your cat's way of greeting you. “Cats rub against their people as a sign of affection,” says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP.
Cats release friendly pheromones from glands in their cheeks and chin, so when your favorite feline is rubbing its face on you, it usually means they are marking you as a friend. “It's an affectionate gesture that can also be used as a form of greeting,” Dr. Jill E.
By tucking themselves into a neat little loaf, cats may be better able to maintain a comfortable body temperature without moving. According to Delgado, it's also possible your cat may be trying to indicate discomfort if they're loafing. "A cat who is still perched on their paws may be in pain," Delgado says.
Why do cats crouch when you pet them? If your cat crouches when being petted, then that means it's uncomfortable. Crouching posture is animal sign for 'yield' and is done out of self-defense.
“With cats, it's all about body language. If they're 'loafing,' it's pretty safe to say they're feeling content and secure because their best weapons (the claws) are tucked under their bodies.” When cats loaf, they aren't prepared to defend themselves against a predator because they have their legs tucked under them.
According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
Your cat may bump their head against you or rub their cheeks against you to show affection. This is a social behavior that is formed in kittenhood through headbutting other kittens and their mother. It is often an attempt to mark you with their scent to claim you as one of their own.
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.