# 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:** 4
**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 20, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/61 "2012-01-20T14:43:16Z")
I think this position might relate to hunting too. I remembered coming across one of my cats in a loaf pointing at the bookcase. He didn’t respond to being touched and stayed like it for hours. Turned out there was a mouse hiding behind the shelves that one of the other cats had brought in earlier. So, catloaf, conserves energy, tucks in identifiable parts (aside from those pesky giveaway ears) and leaves cat ready for action at the rustle of a mouse. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/62 "2012-01-20T14:54:13Z")
> [@NBYodo](#): > > Way too few demonstration pictures in this thread. Google image search-[Catloaf.](http://www.google.com/search?q=catloaf&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5Ew&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=nn8ZT52DF4iTiQLTz7m5CA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ&biw=1502&bih=820) ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/63 "2012-01-20T15:24:58Z")
My cat does the two things the OP mentioned all the time. Every so often she’ll spring out and try to startle us, then do the sideways hop thing and zoom away, expecting us to give chase. Unfortunately the apartment isn’t big enough to allow much chasing. As for the turkey position (that’s what we call it) I’ve always thought that it looks uncomfortable, but she must enjoy it. My favorite is when she’s asleep and covering her face with her paws. So cute! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/64 "2012-01-20T15:31:13Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > One of the curious things that my roommates’ cat (Bat Fastard) does is to find a box and oozes into it. > He typically uses the meatloaf position to do so, but because he is HUGE, he just spreads out to occupy every cubic inch of the box. During Christmas, he was in heaven. Every box that we didn’t pick up, he inhabited. > > I wish I had taken pictures. My guy is currently stuffed into a shoebox left over from Christmas. Sleeps in it all curled up, barely, every day, tail hanging out. When he’s not wedged into it, he chews on it, it’s all torn up on the edges…Since he has such a long thick coat, he often lies on the floor on his back, paws curled on top of his chest. We call it “ottering”. He must be hot, even in winter. Summers are really really hard on a long haired cat like him, poor guy. ☹ Or sleeps on the arm of the chair with his chin resting on his paws stretched out, like Superman flying. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/65 "2012-01-20T17:03:41Z")
> [@NBYodo](#): > > Way too few demonstration pictures in this thread. _sigh_ [Fine](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/Miscellaneous/sleepyhead.jpg)_sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/66 "2012-01-20T18:12:20Z")
Obviously, because he’s doing what cats do best: loafing around. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/67 "2012-01-20T20:51:31Z")
[This is great, but he doesn’t have nearly enough hand and arm protection on for that.](http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/6/16/128896422607303623.jpg) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/68 "2012-01-21T08:22:05Z")
Our cat Archie, a fluffy cat from the Sixties, colored much like the Clintons’ cat Socks, would sit in the “ridiculous position” for hours on end, outside, looking at a hole in our house’s concrete foundation. He must have known something we didn’t. Apparently he was waiting for mice: My stepfather’s niece did some cleanup out there once and came upon a cache of mouse skeletons! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/69 "2012-01-23T00:54:22Z")
I believe this image should shed some much needed insight into this thread: [http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee401/benyacobi/405751\_10150512449208857\_544948856\_9044354\_2106784712\_n.jpg](http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee401/benyacobi/405751_10150512449208857_544948856_9044354_2106784712_n.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/70 "2012-01-23T01:06:40Z")
I approve of that image, and it was indeed enlightening. I’ve never seen a catloaf from that perspective before. In fact, I approve of all the images in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/71 "2012-01-23T02:04:03Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > 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.” Well, shame on [Gluyas Williams](http://www.barnaclepress.com/list.php?directory=GluyasWms) for ripping him off [50 years before](http://www.barnaclepress.com/cmcvlt/GluyasWms/gw250619.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/72 "2012-01-23T03:36:26Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I believe this image should shed some much needed insight into this thread: [http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee401/benyacobi/405751\_10150512449208857\_544948856\_9044354\_2106784712\_n.jpg](http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee401/benyacobi/405751_10150512449208857_544948856_9044354_2106784712_n.jpg) Ah yes, the infamous Hovercat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Captain\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_M)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/73 "2012-01-23T22:13:33Z")
I always thought the meatloaf position had to do with the cat wanting to sit in varying levels of comfort. My cat, Lucky, has a particular affinity for resting on my bed. When the bed is made, she’ll meatloaf, as there’s nothing interesting on the bed’s surface to tuck herself into. If the bed is unmade, she’ll find a good sized cranny in the bedspread and sprawl out on her side with her front and back legs pointed. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/74 "2012-01-23T23:11:25Z")
[Interpreting your cat’s body language,](http://www.friskies.com/Blog/Post/Default.aspx?post=2805) on the Friskies site, has this to say: > [@](#): > > In order to accurately interpret body language, you also need to take into account the immediate environment. For example, if your cat is crouched in what is commonly referred to as the meatloaf position, it could mean two different things based on environmental circumstances. The meatloaf position is basically a crouch where the cat tucks her feet underneath her and wraps her tail tightly around her body. If she’s in her home, this position may simply mean she’s taking a catnap while still remaining ready to pounce on a toy should the opportunity arise. If the cat is sitting on the examination table at the veterinary clinic however, this position means she’s protecting her body and indicating that she’d rather not interact with anyone. Seems…logical, I suppose, but I’m not convinced. I’ve never seen either of our cats adopt the loaf position at the vet, or in other similar environments. A similar one, yes - all four paws down on the ground, but otherwise trying to make themselves as small as possible. (I’ll also note that _she_ seems to be the default gender, for cats. I’ve noticed it before) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/75 "2012-01-24T01:57:26Z")
My cat doesn’t usually loaf. He’s a big boy, so he normally just sprawls. We call the sideways-hopping thing “Halloween Catting”, because a young cousin saw one of Mom’s cats doing that and said the cat was just practicing for Halloween. Didn’t hurt that the cat in question is solid black. That was years ago but the name has stuck. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/76 "2012-01-24T03:27:51Z")
My eldest cat “Buddha’s” all the time, the other two do so less frequently. Yep, that’s my name for it because they look like they are meditating. It could be a heat issue. The eldest cat is a short-hair, the others are medium-length hair. ---
**Author:** ![RedWood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RedWood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedWood)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/77 "2012-01-24T05:42:17Z")
my girlkitten loafs when she wants to sleep: my two older boycats tend to relax in curls instead. I’ve always thought it was Feline Zen Meditation… ~ \>^.^\< ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/78 "2012-01-24T15:34:59Z")
Great… now you’ve got the work-place internet police after me. When I try to follow your link to a picture of your cat, the company filter says that I’m not allowed to go there because the subject of “nudity” is not allowed. I can’t wait to get home and check it out from there, although I hope there are more pictures than just those of your cat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/79 "2012-01-24T18:27:36Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > Well, shame on [Gluyas Williams](http://www.barnaclepress.com/list.php?directory=GluyasWms) for ripping him off [50 years before](http://www.barnaclepress.com/cmcvlt/GluyasWms/gw250619.jpg). It is true that the convention goes back a long way, much earlier, indeed, than 50 years ago—it was a frequent device of Clare Briggs for example, and I dare say it can be readily found in Victorian numbers of _Punch_. But, off the top of my head, I think Kliban initiated the current wave. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/80 "2012-01-24T18:56:23Z")
In cat yoga, this is referred to as the “loafus position, wallward-facing feline”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985.md?page=5)