# Why do cats sit in a "loaf"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 19, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985 "2012-01-19T07:28:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/21 "2012-01-19T15:08:02Z")
Maybe you should take George out to a bar once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/22 "2012-01-19T15:09:25Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Several years ago there was an artist/cartoonist that was known for (by “known for” I mean it’s what I knew him/her for) his cat books. Or maybe cat book. Nice and vague, huh? But when he passed years ago I read about him in the Times so I figure he must have had some notoriety. Do _any_ cat people out there have _any_ idea what I’m talking about? I love you Internet! The second link of Googling _how to tell the difference between a cat and a meatloaf_ brought up the [illustration](http://www.flickr.com/photos/offby1/3089641390/)I was thinking of. The artist is [B. Kliban](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Kliban). Apparently, he _was_ well-known. I like the (uncited) trivia bit: “According to Art Spiegelman, Kliban invented the form of cartoon, popularized by Gary Larson and others, of a single panel with a third-person caption describing the action.” ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/23 "2012-01-19T15:18:55Z")
Mine catloafs all the time in cool weather, and in fact one of his favorite ways to sleep is to just drop his chin down and doze off with his legs and tail still tucked in. I call that one the “cat wedge” because with his pointed nose expanding to big fuzzy butt he reminds me of a big cheese wedge. I agree it’s probably to conserve heat, because in warm weather he usually sprawls out on his side to rest or sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/24 "2012-01-19T15:19:55Z")
One of my family cats used to do this when she was sulking, we called it the stuffed turkey (not chicken, she was too plump to be a chicken). ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/25 "2012-01-19T15:27:49Z")
I’ve never heard this position compared to a loaf, but from now on that’s what it is. The reason, naturally, is that cats are born loafers. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/26 "2012-01-19T15:29:35Z")
I think it’s for heat too, to keep their legs and tail warm. When it’s hot outside they seem to choose the ‘dead bug’ position over the catloaf. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/27 "2012-01-19T15:34:13Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > I love you Internet! You’re welcome! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/28 "2012-01-19T15:35:26Z")
[Lion Couchant?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lion_Couchant.svg) But to answer the OP, who knows. Cats just do it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/29 "2012-01-19T15:54:28Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > While we’re at it - sometimes I’ll walk into a room and he’ll have his back fully arched (and often, his tail puffed up) and then, _with_ his back still arched, he will take two little sideways “hops” in some direction and then run off. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the times when he does this; it’ll just be totally out of the blue. I’ve not seen a cat do it in person, but apparently it’s not uncommon. See [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I61sgq5sqYM), for example. It’s basically a fighting posture: he appears larger by turning side-on to you, wants to keep facing you, but still wants to be able to move around. Either you genuinely startled him and it’s a defensive mechanism or (more likely) he’s being playful; in either event, I would assume that whether he does it depends on his state of mind when you walk into the room. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/30 "2012-01-19T17:11:38Z")
One of our cats constantly loafifies, to the point that I’ve seen her lie down by going from a full standing posture to kneeling on her front legs, already tucking them in before the back half has even touched the floor. (Picture a camel kneeling down.) I think the sideways dance is an invitation to play. Is your cat young, OP? Young cats get all cracked out sometimes, and tear-ass around for no apparent reason. They’re just being playful and energetic. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/31 "2012-01-19T18:08:25Z")
I love catloafs. We’ve two, and they catloaf often. Most of the cats I’ve had do it. No idea why, but I love how they tuck their front paws in like that. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/32 "2012-01-19T18:13:05Z")
it also protects thier underbelly, and allows for a quick jump and run response. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/33 "2012-01-19T18:15:59Z")
Some non-feline animals also do that, for instance, sheep: [http://www.gilmertonfarm.com/images/onesheep.jpg](http://www.gilmertonfarm.com/images/onesheep.jpg) ETA: and cows, although their legs are generally still visible underneath them. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/34 "2012-01-19T18:20:27Z")
Well, as long as they’re _kneading_ their paws… ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/35 "2012-01-19T18:31:21Z")
My kitteh tends to do this when he’s demanded to go out on the porch, but it’s really just a bit too chilly for him. I think it keeps his paws and tail warm. When he lays on the heater vents, he sprawls out belly up, with no regard whatsoever to the toothy pitbull who likes to nip at paws, tails, and whatever else she can get her teefs on. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/36 "2012-01-19T18:38:40Z")
Of the various feline creatures we have owned or fostered over the years, some have been near-constant loafers–even in warm weather–and others have never gone into loaf shape. I think there’s a bit of protectiveness to the position more than of mere conservation of heat. Our second-youngest adopted cat likes to fill up one of the levels of the scratching post or find an obliging human to curl up next to. And the kitten we kept from the foster mom’s litter just doesn’t stay still long enough to go into loaf…when she falls asleep, it’s either in a tight ball or all stretched out (“pork tenderloin shape” as I’ve called it). Both cats grew up around humans–the kitten from literally Minute One of her life–and I suppose don’t feel the need to defend themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/37 "2012-01-19T18:58:30Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > I’ve not seen a cat do it in person, but apparently it’s not uncommon. See [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I61sgq5sqYM), for example. It’s basically a fighting posture: he appears larger by turning side-on to you, wants to keep facing you, but still wants to be able to move around. Yes! LOL! That’s _exactly_ what George does (though he is much bigger than the cat in that video and so it is ever the more intimidating.) Tail puffed up, double-sideways hop. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/38 "2012-01-19T18:59:33Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Maybe you should take George out to a bar once in a while. ?!!? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/39 "2012-01-19T19:01:50Z")
I always thought that was a moment (or more) of Zen for a cat. Just the state of BEING. Or what TS Eliot called the contemplation of his name. Llama’s too. Lady Chance and I refer to it as ‘the llama has retracted his legs’. [http://comegetyousome.com/photo/15353/llama-sitting.html](http://comegetyousome.com/photo/15353/llama-sitting.html) This place calls in Llamapillar. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/40 "2012-01-19T20:14:34Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My own personal untestable hypothesis is that cats do this because of kittens. Ever seen a litter of kittens playing around the momcat? If her tail and paws are out, the kittens WILL play with those appendages. So momcat draws in her legs and tail. > > The other explanation, of course, is just Cats Is Weird. Lynn, your explanation is the best so far. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985.md?page=3)