ADVERTISEMENT

So far, we know that cats sleep in, oh my, are we really doing this?, grape trees, pine trees, cherry trees, alder trees, tissue boxes, sinks, wine glasses, winter shoes, terrariums, flower pots, and laundry racks—let’s just leave it at that. If that doesn’t ring a bell, check out our previous compilations with cats asleep in the most bizarre places here, here, and here.

But just when it seemed like we were already connoisseurs in the catnap department, pictures of felines sleeping and resting together emerged. People on social media are now sharing sightings of multiple cats forming the most bizarre and unusual shapes, as if they were twisted like furry balloons.

“If we twisted our bodies like they do, we would feel uncomfortable or even in pain, so we couldn’t sleep in these positions,” Celia Haddon, a cat behaviorist, told Bored Panda. Check out the full interview down below and don’t forget to upvote your favorite pics!

#1

People Are Posting Cats Sleeping Together In The Weirdest Positions And Forming New Shapes (63 Pics)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
trinitycochrane5 avatar
ThreeOfAKind
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Black and white cats always look striking when they’re together

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

People Are Posting Cats Sleeping Together In The Weirdest Positions And Forming New Shapes (63 Pics)

"I was reading in bed last night when I realized my husband and our foster kittens were all fast asleep like this"

reddit.com Report

In order to find out just why some cats prefer napping with fellow animal companions, and what it is about their flexibility that makes them twist in the most unusual shapes, we spoke to Celia Haddon, a feline behaviorist who explained that such behavior is a sign of feline friendship. “Cats keep their friends close and their enemies at a distance. They naturally socially distance strangers.”

While many cats live happily in the same house with other cats, they often keep social distance “because they are acquaintances, not true friends.” Moreover, “cats that dislike each other will not sleep touching.”

Meanwhile, clinical feline behaviorist Trudi Atkinson also assured us that cats which are part of the same social group will often sleep and rest "cuddled up" together. Trudi warned that “not all cats that live together do consider themselves to be in the same social group as their feline housemates.” So if you come to witness two or more cats sharing the bed, it’s likely a sign you’ve got some BFFs in the house.

ADVERTISEMENT

The other incredible thing about felines is just how flexible they are, which allows them to arrange in what we’d consider very extreme resting positions. “Their spine rotates far more than ours does, and they have special cushioned discs between the vertebrae.”

Plus, “They also don’t have a collar bone attached to their shoulder blade. Instead, their shoulder blade is attached to the rest of the body with muscles, not bone.” Celia explained that these two unique features allow felines to get immense flexibility.

#8

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

fuji_ayako Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Another explanation for cats napping like twisted balloons has to do with temperature. If it’s hot, cats get relaxed and often sleep with their belly exposed. When it’s cold, they curl up tight to keep the heat in. “If it is cold, cats that are friends probably sleep with more of their bodies touching,” Celia added.

The animal behaviorist also said that if humans twisted their bodies like their furry companions do, “we would feel uncomfortable or even in pain, so we couldn’t sleep in these positions.” Don’t try it at home!

She also said that cats often get more cautious about where they sleep as they get older: “That is often because, like us, they get arthritis so they need more comfort.”

#10

People Are Posting Cats Sleeping Together In The Weirdest Positions And Forming New Shapes (53 Pics)

imgur.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
catherrera15 avatar
Cecilia Herrera
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gasped when I saw the negative space heart. Then I saw paws touching, and one paw on top of another. My heart melted.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

People Are Posting Cats Sleeping Together In The Weirdest Positions And Forming New Shapes (63 Pics)

Report

Add photo comments
POST
catherrera15 avatar
Cecilia Herrera
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It's my Happy Heart you hear, singing loud and singing clear, and it's all because you're near, Oh my love."

View more commentsArrow down menu

When it comes to humans sleeping with their feline friends in the same bed, Celia said it's totally fine as long as you both feel comfortable. “Cats enjoy it because we give off heat, so we are like electric blankets for them,” she explained.

ADVERTISEMENT

They often have a sixth sense about moving around so we won't squash each other while asleep. Plus, a little purr is said to help us to relax before falling asleep.

#14

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

This is what I come home to almost every day.

_punk_ass_ Report

#16

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

redonculous Report

Add photo comments
POST
justforfacebook avatar
ƒιѕн
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always keep a few boxes laying out for my cats to curl up in, not sure why I wasted money on cat beds.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

My two cats sleeping in their tunnel look like one extra long kitty

NerdyConspiracyChick Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#24

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

pongpingtaybell Report

Add photo comments
POST
catherrera15 avatar
Cecilia Herrera
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like they fell asleep while kissing. Sweet dreams sweet kitties.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

There’s three cat beds in the room. No need to share

Annrose18 Report

#34

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

midorimushi8969 Report

Add photo comments
POST
catherrera15 avatar
Cecilia Herrera
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comfy Kitties. What are they pointing at? Who, or what are they watching? Only The Shadow knows.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Weird-Position-Lying-Cats-Pics

sibuscalaverdad Report

Note: this post originally had 54 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

See Also on Bored Panda