# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/81 "2012-01-24T19:29:54Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > [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. That was my thought, too. The meatloaf position is a position of relaxation, and most pets are not relaxed at the vet. I caution anyone against taking the info about body language on the Friskies site without a grain of salt. Much like Desmond Morris writing in _The Naked Ape,_ very little of what is claimed can be substantiated in a scientific manner. Most are only interpretations and opinions of observations, since we can’t give a cat a psychological test or ask what they are thinking. Morris didn’t bother much with verification, either, but at least he could have. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/82 "2012-02-04T20:33:26Z")
I know this thread is kinda done, but Mitzy wanted to demonstrate the transverse catbed meatloaf. [Please to enjoy.](https://plus.google.com/photos/104382074453889525221/albums/5705380655036991825) ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/83 "2012-02-04T23:33:25Z")
My mom has two cats, a brother and sister from the same litter. The smaller shorthair cat sits like this a lot. Her bigger, longhair maine coon brother usually does more of a sprawl on his side, though. The closest he ever gets to a catloaf is lying on his stomach with his feet sticking straight out behind him (looks bizarrely cute, lol). I actually found a google image of the not-quite-loafy position he assumes: [http://i.imgur.com/DneL6.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/DneL6.jpg). Imagine that cat but much, much furrier. Anyway, I think it’s because the longhaired cat gets hotter with all that fur. So maybe it is a temperature regulation thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/84 "2012-02-05T21:42:58Z")
I think simster is onto something. My three cats do it, but when they are not truly comfortable – e.g., my bad-boy tabby will get on top of our ten-gallon aquarium (causing a mini- tsunami), then settle down in the so-called loaf position. (The heat from the aquarium light attracts him.) My two girl cats do the same when they are “testing” out new places to sleep/hide; they circle and plop down on a new “nest” (e.g., a bunch of brown paper bags) but in the “loaf” position as if they want to be ready to run if they have to. So my theory is that they are resting but want to be alert and ready to react to a predator or anything interesting the humans might do. ---
**Author:** ![xxcelia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ee59a6/32.png) [@xxcelia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xxcelia)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/85 "2012-03-25T16:43:25Z")
i think my cat looks like a roast chicken when she sits like this. i love it. just thought this might interest you, i thought the top answer sounds reasonable and i will leave my research here… 😃 [Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080925121528AAr91j8) ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/86 "2012-03-25T16:58:58Z")
Yahoo! Answers ain’t research. Not very likely to be reliable, either. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/87 "2012-03-25T17:07:30Z")
[A cute cat loaf](http://media.steampowered.com/steamcommunity/public/images/avatars/bc/bc70d09d59ca71698e6a30956ff3712470ee215f_full.jpg) I will back up the idea that if cats are scared, they sometimes take the loaf position, because my cat does this whenever I move to a new place. She’ll usually hop in a bathroom sink or a bath tub and loaf it up, hoping that no one will bother her while she gets used to the idea of living in a new place. I also think I’ve seen her do it at the vet. Also, for those of you who haven’t seen: [Monorail Cat](http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/funny-pictures-monorail-cat1.jpg?w=400&h=300), [Offline](http://www.bruning.com/humor/cat_macros/images/monorail_cat_offline.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/88 "2012-03-25T18:51:41Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Yahoo! Answers ain’t research. Not very likely to be reliable, either. I think that was the reason for the smiley. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/89 "2012-03-26T02:50:37Z")
Interesting thread, just wondering about the theory of Mama cat tucking in her feet and tail to keep away from kittens. Do male cats do it too? And since it commonly called the “Catloaf” position, what hasn’t there been a “Cat Out of Hell” joke? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/90 "2012-03-26T14:20:58Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Do male cats do it too? Yes, mine do it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/91 "2012-03-27T14:06:21Z")
**obligatory girlie squeeeeee at the pics** I don’t know why cats like to sit/lie like that. I can’t remember having a cat that slept like that, most of them seemed to flop on their side… I do know that horses can lie down in a similar position - only their legs aren’t underneath them (I don’t have a digital pic of same) so that they can get up onto their feet quickly should a sweet wrapper or other horse devouring monster attack while they are having a nap. Perhaps the loaf position is a way for a cat to chillax, but be in a position to leap on any prey, such as your feet, or a passing baby…? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/92 "2012-03-28T20:39:03Z")
Interesting. All of our cats have been catloafers to various degrees - some a lot; some occasionally. But one cat we have now, Annie, a cute little Tuxedo cat, assumes the catloaf position, wraps her tail around to her front, and then _curls her face down into her tail_. This is referred to as “Annie-with-her-nose-down” (DAD!! it’s Annie-with-her-nose-down!!) or “The Full Lozenge.” Very squee. Next to impossible to get pics of because the minute we giggle (it happens) or make noises getting the camera ready, she snaps up and glares at us. Any other 'Dopers with kitties that do this? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/93 "2012-03-28T20:41:46Z")
> [@captnkurt](#): > > \*\*Does it help them regenerate their venom more quickly? \*\* > > Wiping coffee off monitor… > > How is it that no one has remarked on this part of OP’s question? Actually… WHY HASN’T ANYONE ADDRESSED THIS??? ---
**Author:** ![Weaver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Weaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weaver)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/94 "2012-03-28T21:39:01Z")
My personal theory for the ‘I have neither legs nor tail’ pose is simply that at some point in the past the cat has had one or more extremeties stepped on and doesn’t want to risk repeating the experience. ---
**Author:** ![SticksAndString](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SticksAndString](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SticksAndString)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/95 "2012-03-29T02:30:52Z")
Ah…now I have a term for this when my cat Rumpleteazer does it. She only does it when she’s laying on the arm of the couch, though. I’ve seen her do the catloaf just about everywhere she prefers to nap and a lot of times, esp in the winter when it’s cooler, I’ll find her in a sunny spot all stretched out. I call it “doing the raw prawn”. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/96 "2012-03-29T03:19:46Z")
For those of you wondering about what to call various positions and poses your cats use, I refer y’all to [The Many Standard Linney Formations](http://lucylou.livejournal.com/566600.html) by Lucy Knisley. My favorite, and indeed the one that seems to elicit the most immediate and favorable response from nearly everyone who views it, is of course The Hug ‘n’ Bite ---
**Author:** ![Diaspora](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/diaspora/32/5595_2.png) [@Diaspora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diaspora)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/97 "2012-10-06T08:06:02Z")
One of my cats uses the Meatloaf Position quite often. When he sleeps, he bows his head forward until he is face-planted on the couch, still in the Meatloaf. ---
**Author:** ![Diaspora](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/diaspora/32/5595_2.png) [@Diaspora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diaspora)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/98 "2012-10-06T08:10:59Z")
> [@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? > > Oh, yeah, the topic. He just came to mind because I believe one of his books (or maybe just one illustration in one of his books) was dedicated to helping the reader distinguish between a cat and a meatloaf. You’re thinking of B. Kliban. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/99 "2012-10-06T18:54:40Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > They are enigmas. Every single one of them. Copley’s Law: all cats are strange, even for a cat. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985/100 "2012-10-07T02:36:03Z")
> [@Diaspora](#): > > You’re thinking of B. Kliban. 😉 An odd bit of trivia; Kliban’s widow, Judith, later married actor Bill Bixby, and was widowed by him as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-sit-in-a-loaf/609985.md?page=4)