Cookie's Sleeping Positions Explained

Cats sleep two-thirds of their life away, so understanding your sleepy cat is important.  I once showcased Cookie's sleeping positions in a post more than two years back thinking they were just weird (but cute) positions.

Recently, however, I read an article in the papers showing the various types of sleeping positions and what those positions actually mean.  It seems some of Cookie's weird sleeping positions aren't so weird after all.

#1 - The Donut

This relaxed donut position finds a curled up cat with its face, tail and paws tucked together.  This means your cat feels safe.  It's also a way to conserve  heat, so expect to see this position more often if your home is air-conditioned.  Yup, this looks like the donut pose and Cookie sleeps this way when the air-conditioning in our living room is on.

#2 - The One Eye Open Pose

This position is when a cat expects trouble (from dogs or other cats) which allows him to take flight easily if startled.  This is probably the most common position if Cookie's outside although, most of the time, I find him sleeping with one eye slightly open (you can't see it from the angle of this photo though) even when he's indoors.

#3 - The Full Spread

Ah, the full spread....this is his favourite position.  This is where your kitty lies flat on his back with his or her tummy exposed and all four paws up in the air.  This is obviously a vulnerable position which also signals the most relaxed of all poses.  This means Cookie is happy and contented.

A lot of kitties may do the belly up position but can they do one quite as unique as Cookie? :D  This pose of his is like no other....a moment (frozen) in time! ;)  P/S: This was a lucky...and priceless shot!


Cats can also sleep sitting up.  Cookie likes to crawl into the cupboard (when an opportunity presents itself) and plonk himself on top of a pile of clothes.  But his forty winks is usually cut short as he's shooed away from the cupboard.


These are probably the more normal sleeping positions of Cookie (just like any other cat).

But what do you call these.....???

Can someone turn off the lights?  And stop looking at my private parts!

I'm a warm and fuzzy furry ball?

I'm just hanging in there?

So, what cute sleeping positions have you found your cat in? ;)