A cat rides on its back: is it a game or instincts?

All cats love not only cleanliness, but also wallowing in the dust. This strange attachment to the earth is explained by a huge variety of reasons.

Many people are interested in why cats sometimes lie down on the floor or even on the ground and begin to roll there and roll over from their stomach to their back. Moreover, for rolling on the floor or ground, the dirtiest places are usually chosen.

Communication style

For all animals, behavioral reactions and display of postures are an effective way of communicating with relatives and warning signs for ill-wishers. Representatives of the cat family are very graceful and anatomical, which, combined with a highly developed psyche, makes their body language as informative as speech for humans.

The basic Instinct

Under the influence of sex hormones, a cat’s behavior changes dramatically, triggering a chain of complex psychophysiological reactions associated with finding a partner, mating, bearing offspring, giving birth and caring for babies:

Sexual hunting . The period of sexual activity in females is called “estrus” (translated from Greek as “passion, frenzy”), and in the cat family it is expressed unusually brightly and intensely. Wild cats, usually leading a solitary lifestyle, demonstrate their readiness to mate very clearly, literally seducing the male. In a pride, a lion secludes himself with a lioness in heat and mates with her every 20-30 minutes. Domestic cats repeat the ritual of their wild ancestors in mating games, sometimes “walking” so violently and loudly that they haunt the whole family for several days. An inviting loud meow, arching of the back in an eloquent stance on half-bent legs with a raised tail are replaced by turning over on the back and uterine purring. This is how a cat calls a cat. Cats can lie belly up and roll on the floor from excess feelings immediately after mating. Cattery owners know that such behavior is one of the clear signs of a successful cat “wedding,” which can take place far from human eyes.
"Interesting situation" . A pregnant cat may roll on its back, making vibrating sounds in its throat. Even when signs of pregnancy are still invisible to the owner, altered hormonal levels dictate different behavior patterns for the animal. First-born cats who do not yet have experience in bearing offspring are especially prone to “gymnastics for pregnant women.” The expectant mother feels the birth of a new life inside her and is undoubtedly excited. In the second half of pregnancy, when the kittens are already actively moving and stretching their legs, she can growl at the naughty kids in her stomach, growl loudly or lick them through her side.
Mother-nurse . The mother cat lies on her back to provide her newborn kittens with access to her nipples. If the birth went well and the whole family is happy, the nurse sleeps blissfully, warming the precious babies.

Sexual hunting

Most experienced cat owners know that if their pet constantly rolls on its back and meows, it’s a case of estrus . Some cats are so loud that they wear out the whole family...and suffer themselves. By the way, when emptying, the animal suffers in any case, even if it is silent. The problem is the hormonal storms that the pet has to go through every six months (or more often)… and the spasms, which are quite noticeable and painful.

To prevent cancer, purulent inflammation of the uterus and mental disorders, it is recommended to sterilize all non-breeding cats before their first heat. If the moment is missed, 2 weeks are counted after estrus and surgery is performed. Myths about the health of first birth have long been recognized as relics of an illiterate past. It has been proven that those who are sterilized live up to 3 years longer.

Note! Cats also go through periods of sexual heat; they do not ride on their backs, but actively mark their territory with urine.

Demonstration of trust

A satisfied and calm cat in its territory playfully rolls from side to side, gracefully stretches out and squints its eyes. At the same time, her muzzle radiates bliss and serenity - this is how an animal invites a familiar person to careful caresses and gentle stroking.

A sign of friendship and goodwill towards a person or fellow tribesman for a cat lying on its back is the stretching of its front paws with soft pads.

Why do cats roll on the ground?

Who among us has not seen (especially on a fine summer day) how a dazed cat, for no apparent reason, falls to the ground and begins to roll from side to side. It's funny to watch from the outside! It’s probably more difficult for the owners: they already have a clear idea of how much not entirely useful stuff will be collected in the animal’s fur and subsequently brought home. But nothing can be done - the costs of cat behavior!

By the way, our regular readers will remember that we, together with our colleague AmiShojai, asked this question not so long ago. But the restless Amir decided to complement herself!

Let's see: in what cases does your cat exhibit this behavior? The fact is that not all animals are allowed outside! Stretch your memory, dear cat lovers, and try to imagine all the situations associated with “turning over” pets on their backs. Are you getting ready for work and your cat is rolling around on the floor? She just doesn't want you to leave, she asks you to stay and play with her if possible.

Does a cat ride on its back, as they say, out of context, that is, on its own? It's okay - she does a kind of self-massage, scratches her back.

Is something similar happening on the street? Yes, and this is also self-massage!

But cats don’t just “roll”, otherwise they would never be cats! At the same time, they mark the territory and indicate that the place is occupied.

True, it should be emphasized that cats lie on their backs, being, as a rule, in high spirits. Notice how the rolling cat's face radiates calm and contentment.

There is one more, this time physiological, feature: cats tend to lie on their backs before and after mating during an interesting period.

But, be that as it may, in ordinary, home conditions, having noticed a cat riding on its back, you can conclude to yourself that the animal wants to attract attention.

We are forced to warn not very experienced cat lovers: a cat lying on its back and showing off its fluffy belly is by no means inviting you to pet it! Do not give in to the temptation to pet the cat where she doesn’t really like, otherwise your pet’s good mood will quickly disappear! You're unlikely to get away with just scratches...

And cats should not be confused with dogs! A dog lying on its back, in the vast majority of cases, demonstrates complete submission and submission. And a cat, you know, is an animal that lives on its own!

A cat rides on its back: signs

Experienced cat owners know that many mustachioed tabby cats love to lie on their backs. There are a great many reasons for this behavior: from skin problems to the desire to please yourself and relax too tense muscles.

However, rolling on the floor or clothes of the owner cannot always be explained from a physiological point of view. It should be remembered that a cat is a very sensitive creature and has a lot of mystical abilities. Therefore, sometimes a strange and at first glance uncomfortable posture can serve as a warning. So what is the furry pet, raising all four paws to the sky, in a hurry to notify its owner about?

Many people know that any purr is a real personal meteorologist who accurately predicts weather changes. If your pet lies upside down in the winter cold, then you can be sure that a strong snowstorm will soon break out outside. The cat rolls selflessly on the ground (floor) in spring or summer - beware of getting caught in the rain.
Another “weather” sign says that if a cat keeps turning over on its back in a dream, you should expect the thermometer to creep up. In winter and spring this means an unexpected and strong thaw, and in summer it means unbearable heat.
If your pet rolls selflessly on the floor, and at the same time meows desperately, then start preparing a treat. After all, the fluffy one knows for sure that a noisy group of friends is rushing to visit you.
When there is a sick person in the house, the cat will tell you about his well-being. An animal nestled next to an ailing family member? It greatly helps fight illness, which means there is hope for recovery. It is much worse if the pet has left the sufferer’s bed and is lying on its back under the table. So he makes it clear that nothing can be done, and all that remains is to wait for death.

Dormant Predator

Even when in a relaxed position with their eyes closed, cats sense a violation of the boundaries of their personal space and the intentions of the person approaching. And only a slight twitch of the tip of the tail reveals inner sensitivity and sharpness of instincts.

If the object does not pose a threat, the animal remains in place, but in the event of a sudden movement or shout, the cat instantly turns over, hiding its tender tummy and preparing to run or fight. You should never give in to emotions when trying to scratch the tummy of an unfamiliar sleeping cat: in this case, the troublemaker will receive a hard blow with a paw with its claws extended.

Bird watching

If your cat sits in his favorite place and watches the birds, then this is a sign that your animal is feeling great. For this reason, many cats love to look out the window. Some pets enjoy watching fish in the aquarium.

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By watching birds, your pet shows its hunting instinct. Cats are the only animals that hunt not only for food, but also for pleasure.

Scent marks

Sometimes cats ride on their backs, marking territory or things with their personal scent. At the same time, they grumble, “trample” their paws, releasing their claws, and rub their cheeks, on which special secretory glands are located.

A cat can similarly “appropriate” a person or mark his things, for example, by lying belly up in a laundry basket.

This is how the mustachioed striped animals try to drown out foreign odors that were collected outside the house and remained on the skin and fabric.

Why do cats roll on the ground?

By the way, our regular readers will remember that we, together with our colleague AmiShojai, asked this question not so long ago. But the restless Amir decided to complement herself!

Does a cat ride on its back, as they say, out of context, that is, on its own? It's okay - she does a kind of self-massage, scratches her back.

Is something similar happening on the street? Yes, and this is also self-massage!

But cats don’t just “roll”, otherwise they would never be cats! At the same time, they mark the territory and indicate that the place is occupied.

True, it should be emphasized that cats lie on their backs, being, as a rule, in high spirits. Notice how the rolling cat's face radiates calm and contentment.

There is one more, this time physiological, feature: cats tend to lie on their backs before and after mating during an interesting period.

But, be that as it may, in ordinary, home conditions, having noticed a cat riding on its back, you can conclude to yourself that the animal wants to attract attention.

A cat rides on its back: signs

Many people know that any purr is a real personal meteorologist who accurately predicts weather changes. If your pet lies upside down in the winter cold, then you can be sure that a strong snowstorm will soon break out outside. The cat rolls selflessly on the ground (floor) in spring or summer - beware of getting caught in the rain.

Another “weather” sign says that if a cat keeps turning over on its back in a dream, you should expect the thermometer to creep up. In winter and spring this means an unexpected and strong thaw, and in summer it means unbearable heat.

If your pet rolls selflessly on the floor, and at the same time meows desperately, then start preparing a treat. After all, the fluffy one knows for sure that a noisy group of friends is rushing to visit you.
When there is a sick person in the house, the cat will tell you about his well-being. An animal nestled next to an ailing family member? It greatly helps fight illness, which means there is hope for recovery. It is much worse if the pet has left the sufferer’s bed and is lying on its back under the table. So he makes it clear that nothing can be done, and all that remains is to wait for death.

Euphoria from aromas

Some smells cause a state of euphoria in cats. As soon as the molecules of the coveted aromas reach the mucous membrane of the olfactory tract, the mustachioed striped animals begin to run from corner to corner, roll on the floor, purr loudly and rub their skin against the scent mark.

The stimulating effect usually lasts 15-30 minutes, after which the animal calms down and falls into deep sleep.

From the plant world, two species are most attractive to cats:

Alcohol infusion of valerian or its tablet form . Widely used as a cardiac and sedative in medical pharmacology. However, valerian has a stimulating effect on cats because it contains organic acids that resemble the smell of pheromones. The attractive smell causes the cat to lick the medicine or chew the stems of the plant, which is why valerian is called the “cat drug”. At the same time, the effect on the hormonal system and psyche is so strong that some animals go on a rampage, receiving a psychotropic effect with hallucinations, drooling and convulsions. Trying to get to the coveted drug, they can turn over or break a bottle of alcohol solution and get a burn to the mucous membrane and severe poisoning. After a prolonged attack, inappropriate behavior can persist for several days, manifested by increased excitability, fear of loud sounds, apathy and refusal to eat and drink. It is noteworthy that about 70% of the population of mature cats are sensitive to valerian, while in females this figure is halved. The intoxicating effect does not apply to kittens.
Catnip, or catnip . It is completely harmless to cats and is even sold in pet stores in the form of sachets or powder. If your favorite ball or toy mouse is sprinkled with catnip, the cat will play for at least a quarter of an hour, after which the happy cat will fall asleep next to it. Felinologists recommend using the properties of the plant as a natural antidepressant by placing a sachet with catnip in a carrier cage with a cat when moving or to a new place.

Why does a cat meow: signs of normality

So, let's figure out when you shouldn't give up everything you're doing because of a cat's meowing.

Reason for meowing	Description
The cat asks you to feed it	Cats get used to the feeding schedule. And, if one day you forget to add food to her bowl, she will annoyingly remind you of this with her constant meowing. Plus, cats meow if they don't like the food you give them. For example, when trying to switch a pet to another food, he may go on strike at first - refuse food and scream. You should not react to such manipulations - it is better to wait a few days so that the cat gets used to the new food.
The cat asks you to let it outside	At this moment she may rub against your leg or jump on you. But, as a rule, she simply stands at the object that she associates with the need and waits for your arrival.
The cat is happy to see you	If you have been away from home for a long time, then the moment you open the door of the house, the pet runs towards you and starts meowing. At this moment, you cannot ignore the purr: scratch it behind the ear, stroke it.
The cat wants you to clean her litter box	If it is overcrowded or already very dirty, then the pet will not go into it. It will definitely remind you that it is time to replace the tray filler. It is in your best interest not to ignore this cat's cry, otherwise she will begin to take revenge by arranging a toilet for herself in the corner of your bedroom.

My grandmother just loves cats. She probably has about 16 of them now. Of course, she takes care of them properly, feeds them, washes them, gives them vaccinations. She now devotes literally all her time to them. Moreover, granny knows how to guess their desires. As soon as she hears meowing, she immediately understands which cat is screaming and what exactly she wants. For me, this is some kind of supreme intelligence, and my bewilderment always causes surprise in my grandmother. Essentially, this is the same thing when adults do not understand the speech of small children, but their mother can understand everything from the first syllable.

Although veterinarians say that cat meowing is a whole science, and if you want to have a cat, then you definitely need to learn to understand the language of these animals.

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Skin problems

Unbearable itching and irritation of the skin in the back area can cause a cat to roll irritably on the floor. This may be caused by flea dermatitis, pruritic scabies or skin allergies. It is the owners' duty to carefully examine the animal and, if they find redness, dandruff, bald patches or weeping areas on the skin, immediately contact a veterinarian.

Common Causes

Lying on the floor, the cat strokes and scratches its back , which is accompanied by physical pleasure and relaxation. So, the most common reason for riding on your back is the desire for comfort. Don't worry about not getting enough attention; cats always strive for maximum comfort and can roll around on the floor simply because it feels good. If the behavior becomes too regular, perhaps the reason is self-soothing, that is, this is how the cat deals with stress.

Adult cats prefer a sedate lifestyle, but even the laziest four-legged cats are active for 15–20 minutes at a time. Riding on your back is an excellent warm-up for the muscles of the back and neck, which, by the way, almost never relax in cats.

While rolling on its back, your cat can brush its fur , especially if you have a long-haired pet. The fact is that when four-legged animals lick themselves, the hooks on the tongue catch the hairs, and the cat swallows them. If the fur coat is very fluffy, the tailed one has to swallow a lot of fur, which can lead to intestinal blockage ... and, in principle, not very pleasant. Usually, for combing, the cat chooses rough surfaces: carpets, sofas, rugs near doors.