Why Do Cats Sleep Face Down? (It’s More Than Just a Coincidence With 6 Reasons)

Cats sleep in a position that may be unfamiliar or even uncomfortable to most people, but it seems to offer a few important advantages.

Do cats sleep face down? A study suggests that they do. The findings were published in the journal Animal Behaviour.

And while the study focused only on domestic cats, the researchers say they believe the same pattern applies to other species.

Why Do Cats Sleep Face Down?

It’s Comfy for Them

Many of the things cats do are more comfortable for them than they appear to us, such sleeping with their faces rubbed against something or floating just over the ground.

If your cat thinks this to be the most comfortable resting posture, then that’s the way it will always be.

Your Cat Is Warming Their Nose

This may sound strange, but it’s actually true. Their ears and nose are two of the coolest places on a cat.

This explains why cats will occasionally cover their ears with their paws. You’ll also find them snoozing with their noses close to a surface or their paws over it.

Your Cat Is Exhausted

It is common for kittens to work themselves to exhaustion before collapsing into a weird sleep posture.

When they were kittens, I found my cats napping in their food bowls, passing out in the middle of the room, and even half-climbing something.

This might explain your cat’s odd sleeping posture, which seems like it was caused by a headfirst fall to the floor. I’m sure we’ve all been there.

There is still no justification for sleeping in your freshly laundered outfits!

They Can Hear Better in This Position

It’s possible you’ve seen your cat’s ears functioning like satellites when they are sleeping. When I say this, I mean that they just turn to face whatever sound they can discern.

When they appear to be sleeping, their ears are acutely attuned to everything going on around them, and they can awaken at any moment.

Their ears are partially covered when they are curled up in a ball or have their paws over their heads. At times when their attention spans are less than optimal, these positions are what they’ll choose for.

They Are Shielding Light and Distractions

Cats, if they could, could wear eye patches to block out the light and sleep throughout the day and night, I believe.

To escape light or other distractions that could interrupt their much-needed extra hours of sleep, cats may find themselves face down in the fetal posture.

Don’t forget that cats like sleeping for up to 16 hours a day, not only at night.

They Find it Comfortable

This looks awfully uncomfortable, so it’s impossible that it’s true. However, everyone of our feline companions has their own idea of what it means to be comfortable, so your cat may prefer to sleep on its back.

In fact, whichever position your cat chooses to sleep in, you can bet they’re content. They wouldn’t be able to sleep in it otherwise. The preferred sleeping posture of any cat is one of the many variations on the cat loaf or resting flat on one’s side.

Your cat will be able to get a good night’s sleep if it’s in a comfy position. This is essential because their bodies mend and expand during this deep sleep phase.

Once their vitality has been recovered, their bodies may begin the process of self-regeneration. Cats will be more susceptible to illness and exhaustion if they don’t get enough sleep.

REM sleep is a type of sleep that cats go through while they are in deep slumber.

When your cat twitches while sleeping, you know she’s in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In this phase, cats are able to dream, which is critical to their ability to remember and learn.

As a result, finding a suitable position and obtaining adequate sleep are essential. You should not interfere with your cat’s preferred resting position if it is lying face down.

Keep in mind, though, that there should still be a fair amount of diversity. Having a cat that usually sleeps in the same posture might be a sign of illness.

You should consult your cat’s veterinarian if you have any doubts or observe this together with other signs.

Head Pressing vs Sleeping Face Down

Sleeping on one’s face is not the same thing as engaging in head-pressing practices. While it’s not unusual for cats to sleep on their bellies, keep an eye out for any signs of head pressure.

When a cat is engaged in head pressing, it turns its back on an inanimate object and presses the crown of its head against it.

This is a common occurrence with many furniture items, including walls, chairs, floors, and couches. There’s something seriously wrong if they’re pressing on your head.

Since the liver is not working correctly in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, ammonia builds up in the body. Confusion, headaches, and facial discomfort are all symptoms of ammonia poisoning.

Injuries to the brain or neurological system, such as brain tumors or infections, can lead to a painful pressure of the head.

Sodium levels in the blood can be too high or too low, and toxins can be ingested or inhaled, and head traumas are another potential reason.

Head pressing is a habit that frequently, and possibly suddenly, emerges. Most cats develop the habit of sleeping face down when they are young.

A veterinarian should examine cats whose heads are abruptly bumping into solid surfaces. In order to rule out any significant medical issues, have your cat evaluated if you’re not sure whether you’re observing head pressing or sleeping face down.

Cat Sleeping on Face vs. Head Pressing in Cats

There’s nothing to be concerned about if you notice your cat sleeping face down for any of the reasons listed above. The majority of the time, this position aids the individual in falling asleep soundly.

Comfortable: It keeps them warm and cosy, filters off any distracting light, and is an ideal position. Cats who are catnapping during the day might also benefit from sleeping face down, as their ears remain erect and vigilant.

A cat lying on its face should not be mistaken with pushing its head against something. Cats often sleep in this position when they are ill, and it is important to be aware of it.

In this section, we’ll go more into the phenomenon of head pressing, including why it should never be overlooked and how to tell it from from a cat lying face down.

What is Head Pressing in Cats?

Cats that often and deliberately press their heads against a hard surface, such as a wall or door, are known as having head pressing. It is common for cats to sleep in this posture, but it is not uncommon for them to do so while aware and awake.

A number of major health issues can be indicated by this behavior, including:

• Cerebral aneurysm or stroke
• I’ve got a headache from being under a lot of water
• Toxicomas in the brain
• Experimentation with harmful chemicals
• Failed liver

These are all life-threatening medical problems that require immediate veterinary attention if your cat exhibits any of these symptoms.

Head Pressing vs. Sleeping Face Down

Fortunately, the difference between a cat pushing its head against something and a cat lying face down may be easily discerned. To help you tell the difference, we’ve included several indicators:

What state of mind are you in at the moment? A cat’s entire body will become rigid and strained when they are in extreme agony due to head pressure.

Cats resting on their backs, on the other hand, appear to be at ease, content, and tranquil while they sleep.

Is it a Hard or a Soft Object? A hard surface, such as a hardwood floor, a doorway, or a wall, is the most likely place for a cat to press its head.

On the other hand, a cat lying on its back with its head resting on a soft surface is most likely to do so soundly and peacefully. A couch or armchair, a cat bed, or a blanket are all examples.

What state of mind are you now in? Cats that lie face down when sleeping are clearly dozing off; if a cat is awake, it is quite improbable that it would do so.

While it is possible for cats to sleep with their heads pressed against the pillow, you will notice this behavior more frequently if your cat is awake instead of sleeping.

How about other visible signs? Head-pressing cats often display additional neurological signs, such as pacing or eyesight problems.

Cats’ tendency to exert a great deal of power while pushing their heads against each other might lead to face injuries. There are no additional indications to look out for if your cat is sleeping face down.

What To Do When a Cat is Head Pressing?

Consult a veterinarian right away if you suspect your cat is doing more than merely lying face down. Many serious medical diseases can be symptomatic of excessive pressure on the head, thus it should never be disregarded.

During the consultation, your veterinarian will do a thorough examination of your cat to determine what is causing this behavior.

You should keep a record of any other symptoms you see and bring them to your veterinarian’s attention.

Following your visit, you and your veterinarian will go over the results of your examination and the treatment choices that are advised.

The specific diagnosis of the underlying disease will, of course, dictate the next step in treatment. Survival isn’t assured due to the fact that all of the reasons are life-threatening.

However, the sooner you seek expert help, the better your cat’s chances of making a full recovery.

Conclusion

Why cats sleep face down? Because that’s how they feel when they sleep. So, the position that a cat chooses to sleep in is usually the same as how they feel inside when they wake up.

It’s not that they are uncomfortable in any specific position, it’s just that they prefer to sleep like this.

They may move their body to find the best position that allows them to breathe, but they always maintain that particular sleeping position.

source https://catshint.com/why-do-cats-sleep-face-down-its-more-than-just-a-coincidence/