Cat in a loaf pose: what it looks like and what it means

Cat owners observed their pet in a variety of poses. Perhaps sometimes they notice their furry maine coon sleeping on your back. Siamese cats, for example, they like to rest, gracefully stretching their paws.

But the loaf pose is considered the most favorite among felines.

When a cat lies with its paws crossed, that is, taking a pose resembling a loaf of bread, she is trying to say something, or is it just one of the many cutestquirks for which we love so much cats?

What is Loaf Pose

A typical loaf of sliced ​​sandwich bread is compact and rectangular, with rounded edges.

Looking at a pet sitting in a loaf pose, it’s easy to see the resemblance. The cat lies with its paws tucked under itself and assumes a compact rectangular shape with rounded edges. This is how the term “loaf pose” appeared.

Many owners, using their rich imagination, distinguish several types of cat “loaves”.

The traditional pose that most resembles a loaf of bread is the pose described above. In this case, the paws and tail of the cat are completely hidden under the body. But you can also find a cat in other compact poses that fit the description of a loaf. Sometimes cats lie down with their tail wrapped around themselves and their paws outstretched. Sometimes they completely press one front paw, and the other is extended halfway.

However, some pets will hide in compact spaces, such as boxes or sinks. They will have their paws tucked under themselves, resembling a loaf of bread that has not yet been removed from the baking sheet.

Although most often referred to as the loaf pose, it is sometimes compared to a barge, a potato tuber, or a turkey.

Why do cats sit with their paws crossed

According to reverse, “You will most likely find a cat in a loaf position in its favorite place, such as on your lap, in a chest of drawers with clothes, on a sofa, or in any … place in the house that the cat has decided to appropriate for itself.” According to experts, there is a reason for this.

If the cat sits with its paws tucked under it, this usually indicates a relaxed state. Inverse quotes Mikel Delgado, a feline scientist and postdoctoral fellow at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He explains that although this is a closed position, it is definitely not a defensive stance from which a pet can attack. “The cat is not going to defend or run away,” says Delgado.

Another possible reason why the fluffy beauty takes the loaf pose is her desire to keep warm due to better heat retention. This elegant posture helps the cat maintain a comfortable body temperature without moving.

However, according to Delgado, it is possible that with this pose the pet is trying to communicate discomfort. “A cat that sits on its paws for a long time may experience pain,” says Delgado. “So it’s better to check if her paws are fully tucked in.”

If there is any suspicion that the animal may be experiencing pain, it is necessary to carefully examine its paws or discuss the situation with a veterinarian. Cats are excellent can hide the painso it’s important to be on the lookout just in case.

The loaf pose may seem like nothing more than one of weird things about catsfor which they are so loved. You can find a pet in this position in her favorite warm places, for example, in bed or on washed clothes. You can consider this a compliment, because in this way the cat demonstrates its trust.