Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

32 Chapter 3

Resting positions

The position in which a cat rests can indicate how tense or relaxed it is. Keeping the
feet in contact with the ground allows the cat to ‘spring’ into action quickly. Resting
in a crouched position with all four feet in contact with the ground can therefore be
a sign that the cat is tense and ‘ready for action’, whereas a semi-tense cat may lie
‘half-side’ with just the front feet in contact with the ground. More relaxed resting
positions are curled and lying completely on the side without any of the feet being in
full contact with the ground. Lying or sleeping on the back is a less common resting
position but it is one that cats can adopt when totally relaxed.

Fig. 3.8. An aggressive encounter between rival cats; note the offensive and defensive
body postures.

Fig. 3.9. A ‘social roll’ is a friendly signal, but it should never be interpreted as a request by
the cat to have its ‘tummy rubbed’.