If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably seen your cat sitting like a human on several occasions. And if not, then you probably saw a meme or two on the internet of a cat leaning against the wall like an old man, with her little paws in front of her, as if she was supposed to be holding something. Little weirdo!
Our feline friends are famous for displaying a wide array of weird behaviors. Their quirky ways often leave us bewildered and with question marks above our heads. Especially when they’re doing something not so cat-like. Like lounging on the couch in front of the TV, sitting just like we do sometimes.
I love it when my cat does this. I think she looks silly and adorable (as she always does, anyway). But I can’t help but wonder if that’s okay or not. Is she in pain?
Sometimes I wonder if there will ever come a day when I’ll stop wondering about the meaning of my cat’s strange nature. Will I come to the point when I could safely say, “Okay! I finally understand everything.” For some reason, I’m not that positive about it. I believe my fluffball’s life mission is to confuse me.
I believe you know exactly how I feel, and I’m sure your little furry bundle of joy is also guilty of this weird human-like sitting position. So, if you wish to unravel the meaning behind it, this is the exact article you need!
Let’s cut through the fluff and see why in fact is your cat sitting like a human.
1. Your cat is copying you
I always thought my cat was mimicking me whenever I would catch her sitting on her bottom with her back upright. I’ve found it hilarious and silly, and would even make fun of her by telling her that she needs to straighten her back if she wants to be a proper lady.
Even though it was funny, I thought there was more to it than simple copying. You know how cats are – there’s always more to the story.
But actually, I wasn’t far from the truth. When cats do sit like their owners they are usually copying them. There are not many scientific proofs for this, but the evidence is there – in the abundant experience of our fellow cat parents (and some studies, too. It’s not like we’re completely unscientific here!).
If your cat is sitting like a human, there’s a high possibility she has memorized you in that exact position. She paid close attention to how exactly you do that and after some time decided to try it for herself. It’s actually quite cute and flattering she wants to be just like you in some ways.
2. She is self-grooming
Cats are known to be meticulous self-groomers. You would probably never catch your cat being unrepresentable or smelling funky. If you do, then that’s a sign that something might be wrong with her.
Their personal hygiene is their top priority, and they usually spend up to 5 hours licking themselves with their sandpaper-like tongue, trying to remove all the dirt and debris from their flawless fluff. And for the most part, they will stop at nothing to achieve purrfection.
To make sure they don’t miss a single spot, they have to contort their bodies in all kinds of weird positions.
One of the best ways for your kitty to reach her belly and private parts is to sit like a human. With her bottom on the ground and her hind legs up in the sky, there’s no way she’ll fail to lick everything.
You would probably find it hard to reach your stomach with your tongue, but for your little flexy feline friend it’s as easy as pie!
So, if you catch your cat sitting like a human, there’s a high chance you just interrupted her in the middle of her grooming session.
3. Sitting like a human is a sign of trust
Another reason why you might notice your cat sitting like a human is linked to trust. How’s that you may ask?
Well, the belly is a very vulnerable and sensitive body part for any cat and a human-like sitting position exposes it to a great extent. Several vital organs lie beneath the skin of cats’ tummies, and any damage to them could be fatal. Therefore, they’re usually guarding that area pretty fiercely.
I know this from my personal experience. My cats don’t like when I touch their stomach (without prior consultation with them). On several occasions, my hands have been scratched to the point of bleeding, actually. I’ve learned the harder way what a big no-no is for my cats.
Also, sitting like a human makes it harder for them to flee from any potential danger. Even though our frisky felines are avid predators of rodents, squirrels, and birds, they are the prey of some larger animals. Therefore, they rarely put themselves into positions that are challenging to get out of immediately.
So, if you see your cat sitting like a human in your presence, that means she feels safe and completely trusts you. Take it as a compliment, for sure!
4. It’s comfy!
Many cat parents, when they see their cat sitting like a human, automatically assume they’re uncomfortable. I guess it’s because they look very odd in that position since their bodies are nothing like ours.
However, cats actually feel pretty comfortable sitting like that. There’s a reason why they do the things they do, and why they choose to sit in positions they choose. Those reasons depend on many factors like temperature, emotional and mental state, and what generally feels good.
For example, if it’s too cold, most cats will sit curled up in a ball, next to a warm fireplace if possible. If they are stressed for whatever reason, they will probably choose to stand, alerted and scared, ready to flee anytime.
Also, almost every cat has her favorite position, the one she returns to always. Just like we humans do, right? Some of us probably enjoy falling asleep lying on our stomachs. During the night, we obviously change several positions, like lying on our sides or on our backs.
But, when we eventually return to our go-to one, the one that makes us go, “Yeah, that’s the one!” in the middle of the night, sleeping somehow becomes ten times better.
If we also add to the equation the turning of the pillow to the cooler side and sticking one leg out for perfect temperature achievement, a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.
Similar things happen to your kitty, too! She could be changing her positions as many times as she wants, but there will always be the ultimate favorite one she will keep returning to.
So, there’s no need to worry about her being comfortable or not. Your cat sitting like a human might be a position she simply enjoys at the moment.
5. Your cat is just seeking attention
It’s no secret that cats know the way to our hearts. Whether it be an adorable meow or a therapeutic purr, a sweet head rub against our arm, or an irresistible dilated-pupils kind of look, our fluffs know precisely how to capture our attention every time.
Admit it! When you catch your cat sitting like a human, you immediately stop whatever you’re doing, and you dedicate your whole being solely to her. I’m sure there are hundreds of pictures in your phone’s gallery of your kitty in an upright position.
Your cat is very clever; she probably noticed you adore it when she sits like a human. She has you wrapped around her little paws and know that, in order to get some yummy treats or couch cuddles, all she has to do is to sit like a human.
So, you can be sure that your cat sitting like a human is probably her way to manipulate you to get what she wants. Pretty smart if you ask me!
6. Your cat is sitting like a human to cool down
It’s true! Even cats get hot sometimes. Even though we usually assume they love to spend their time sunbathing, it can still be a tad bit too much warmth for them. They need their body to be at an optimal temperature, so they don’t overheat or get heatstroke.
Sitting like a human is a great way for your cat to cool down if she’s feeling too toasty. This is because her belly is not pressed to the ground or tucked behind her paws but actually facing upwards. That way, the air can freely reach your kitty’s belly and cool her down at least to some degree.
So, next time you see your cat sitting like a human, especially in a cold and shadowy area of your home, just know she’s trying to cool herself down. Maybe you could consider helping her. A feline royalty like herself deserves proper treatment, for sure.
7. She wants belly rubs (or does she?)
This last reason is a pretty conflicting one. We have already mentioned that the belly is a vulnerable area for every cat. And not every feline enjoys their bellies being touched.
You might be thinking, “Oh look! My kitty is showing me her belly. I’ve read the other day on my favorite website Cats Chef that this is a sign of trust. I’m going to rub her sweet tummy to show that I’m flattered.” But, you might end up with bite marks on your hands.
No matter how much your cat trusts you, she might still not enjoy belly rubs. Or she might. Finding out if she does is a trial and error and unfortunately, there’s no way for me to tell you what to do.
So, if you see your cat sitting like a human, it might mean she’s inviting you to pet the forbidden area (a.k.a. her belly). But don’t be surprised if she proves you wrong. And don’t blame me, please. I’m also trying to shed the light on my kitty’s love for belly rubs (or the lack thereof).