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Many cat parents may notice their cat exhibiting all kinds of unusual behaviors, and you may wonder about their meaning. One peculiar habit cats and even dogs do is walking in circles before lying in bed. For cats, this ritual sometimes involves kneading or rubbing their heads against their bed. If you begin observing this ritual, you may notice that cats may do this on soft surfaces, such as blankets, pillows, or even their owner’s lap.
Although it remains a bit of a mystery, one of the suggested theories proposes that cats walk around before lying down so they can lie in the perfect location, allowing them to view their surroundings and pick up on any new scents. They need a clear view of the room according to wind direction in order to perceive any potential danger early on.
If you’d like to learn about other possible theories and assumptions about why cats circle before lying down, read the article below, which will tell you fun information about this quirky cat behavior.
The 3 Suggested Reasons Why Cats Walk in Circles Before Lying Down
1. Make Their Resting Area More Comfortable
One of the possible reasons and suggested theories why your cat will walk in circles before laying down is to make their bed more comfortable. If you think that their bed is already good enough for them, there is actually an entire explanation for why cats need to make their already perfect, fluffy bed even more comfortable. Their ancestors, wild cats, have to make their bed in the wilderness, often in grassy and shrubby areas.
Wild cats will walk around in circles, pawing on a soft surface to make sure it is safe and comfortable for them to sleep, also removing any topsoil or grass. This way they can also ensure that the temperature of their resting area is suitable, by exposing the cooler ground beneath the vegetation in the summer, or by curling up tight in the cooler weather in order to stay warm. This behavior stayed in domesticated cats as an instinct to create a comfortable resting area.
2. A Perfect View of Their Surroundings
Another possible explanation for why your cat may be walking in circles before lying down is to find a perfect position. This behavior also goes back to wild cats, who acted the same way in an attempt to have an ideal view of their surroundings even while sleeping, and to turn in a way that can allow them to pick up on any new scents easily. No matter how trusting your cat is, they have the instinct to keep an eye out for danger and other predators constantly. This is why most domesticated cats love sleeping in high places so that they can always observe their surroundings and react in case any danger comes up.
They will go in circles before finding the perfect spot, and it will usually be facing toward the room. Cats will rarely sleep turning their back to the room.
3. Marking Their Territory
One reason that might be the case in cats walking around in their bed before they finally lie down is to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands on their paws, and when they walk around their personal space or rub against it, it means they are marking their territory. In the mind of a cat, walking in circles and patting their bed leaves a scent for other cats to understand they’ve claimed this space. This setting is commonly true for outdoor cats, where they need to guard their territory, as neighborhood cats may mistakenly want to sleep in their bed.
Other Possible Reasons for Circling Before Lying Down
Scaring Off Critters
Another possible reason why cats may walk in circles and knead on their beds may be because of their instinct to scare off critters. Most outdoor cats will do this before going to bed, while indoor cats may continue to circle and knead their beds instinctively. Since their ancestors were wild cats, they needed to check their beds for possible critters that may endanger them or their young ones. They needed to chase away any snakes or insects hiding in the grass before they could lie in it.
Boredom and Stress
If you notice your cat is circling before bedtime more than usual, there are many possible explanations including health issues, but one less concerning explanation might be boredom. A cat that doesn’t have enough daily stimulation can quickly become bored, exhibiting strange behavior. This is why it is always recommended to include your cats in various activities and provide them with toys like puzzle feeders and other means of environmental enrichment to encourage their mental stimulation.
Remember that circling before lying down is your cat’s instinct, with several different meanings behind it. However, if it’s not related to bedtime, and your cat is doing it regardless or excessively, illness, stress, or anxiety can be another reason behind this behavior. If you’re concerned about your cat’s circling, and you don’t find it is related to bedtime, it’s important to take your cat for a prompt check-up to the vet.
Pain, Illness, or Discomfort
Another reason your cat may exhibit strange circling habits is pain or discomfort due to a specific condition, such as arthritis, or another illness. It is important to notice these peculiar signs as soon as possible to be able to react accordingly and in time. Some cats may exhibit circling as a sign of a bigger underlying issue, such as vestibular disease, certain parasitic or infectious diseases, or a central nervous system disorder. If your cat is circling throughout the day and regardless of lying down, along with a combination of other signs such as pacing, head pressing, lethargy, stumbling, falling over, twitching, seizures, or others, make sure to take them to a vet straight away.
Summary
These wonderful and loving companions have the quirkiest, cutest habits when they lie down in your lap, kneading and pawing or even rubbing their heads. While this is a form of communication, it can have various meanings. Circling just before lying down for a nap may be instinctual behavior performed as a means to ensure a safe resting position, mark their territory or make their resting area more comfortable. Knowing what each ritual may mean can help you understand your pet better and become much closer with them, creating a stronger bond.
Featured Image Credit: Zoo Design, Shutterstock
