Why Does My Cat Walk In Circles Before Lying Down? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cats often do things that appear strange to us, and turning in circles before lying down is one of those feline activities that often puzzle owners. If you have a cat companion at home who turns in circles before settling down for a nap, you may be wondering if this is normal and, if so, why cats do it. It’s normal for some cats to turn in circles before getting comfortable, and it’s likely an instinctual behavior that helps them stay safe in the wild.

Many animals display the same behavior, including dogs, while similar pre-resting behaviors are also observed in horses and even birds. Just like scratching, kneading, and head butting, walking in circles before lying down is a deeply ingrained feline behavior. While no one can be entirely sure about a cat’s motivations, there are several theories and suggestions that may explain why cats walk in circles before lying down. Almost all link back to the feline's need for safety in wild environments.

What Are Cats Doing When They Circle?

Circling most likely allows cats to ensure they’re safe before tucking in for the night, and it allows them to create nice soft spots to sleep. However, it can also sometimes indicate that kitties are in pain, particularly if they seem restless, more vocal than usual, or have trouble getting comfortable after lying down.

Surveying the Scene

Turning in circles may give cats in the wild a chance to look around and get familiar with their environment. Ensuring there aren’t predators in the area before sleeping is a fundamental survival tactic for cats and other animals vulnerable to being preyed upon, regardless of being predators themselves.

Some cats sniff the place where they plan to settle down; it’s almost like a last check to make sure there’s nothing to worry about. Some have suggested that circling may allow cats to determine which way the wind is blowing, so they can position themselves in the best spot to stay ahead of dangers, although this remains only a speculation and has not been confirmed by scientific research. Similarly, speculatively, it may also serve as a final check for creatures like insects and snakes.

Cats like following a sleeping schedule, and many have tried-and-true favorite hangouts. It’s not uncommon for cats to move to warmer places during the winter and cooler ones on hot summer days, but some cats prefer one sleeping spot throughout the whole year.

Temperature Control

Cats may use circling before napping to help create a pleasant temperature in which to take a snooze. Many cats in cold environments will then snuggle in and wrap their tails around themselves to create a sort of furry blanket. When temperatures rise, wild felines often prefer to sleep in cool, shallow depressions, which they often dig right before bedtime, although this isn’t a common behavior in pet cats.

Comfort

Cats in the wild may create comfortable beds before lying down. Some trample the grass where they plan to sleep. Turning around and using their paws to make a nice soft bed may be a way for cats to get ready to relax. Although your pet cat differs in several ways from wild felines, they have similar instincts with regard to circling before sleeping.

The suggested reasons for circling before lying down, including comfort and safety, although sound plausible and have been widely accepted, remain to be fully confirmed by science.

Pain

Circling can also be a sign of pain, particularly in older cats suffering from arthritis or other joint conditions. Cats with painful and stiff joints sometimes slowly circle an area a few times before lying down and frequently readjust their bodies to become comfortable and avoid pain. If your pet isn’t able to get comfortable, contact your veterinarian to ensure everything is okay, as cats often hide signs of illness. Behavioral changes often indicate that something may be going on with your cat.

Do Cats Always Knead Before Lying Down?

Many, but not all, cats engage in kneading as part of their bedtime routine, which makes sense as it provides kitties with a sense of comfort. Kittens knead to stimulate their mother’s milk production, so the activity likely reminds cats of being warm, cared for, and loved.

And they have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones when kneading. Cats use their noses to recognize familiar and comfortable places. When they knead, they leave behind a subtle trail that relaxes them and allows them to identify the location as safe and familiar in the future.

Do Cats Still Need Beds?

Cats technically don’t require special beds to be happy, but providing your feline with a nice place to lounge is the best way to convince your cat not to take over your sofa or favorite chair. But more importantly, most cats like to have several places to lie back and relax, and giving them their own dedicated space can go a long way toward ensuring your pet feels welcome, loved, and at home.

However, providing your cat with their own napping place doesn’t have to be expensive. A simple cardboard box with a soft, folded towel can bring joy to your cat’s world. And it gives you an opportunity to upcycle something you already have at home. Use a towel that’s washable at high temperatures to make cleaning your pet’s bed incredibly easy. Older cats often benefit from having several soft and supportive pet beds at different locations, particularly if jumping on or off furniture causes them discomfort or pain.

Are There Ways to Get Cats Sleep Through the Night?

Cats are naturally most alert and active around dawn and dusk. Playing with cats and feeding them often wears them out, sometimes leading them to sleep a bit longer. You can give your pet a good play session about 30 minutes before you’d like them to start winding down, and feed them soon afterward.

Cats generally adjust to new routines over time as they become accustomed to a pattern of playing, eating, and hitting the sack. Simply ignore your cat’s attempts to wake you up at night during the adjustment period. It can often take cats a few weeks to get the hang of new routines.

Final Thoughts

Cats’ pre-sleep circles are most likely linked to deeply ingrained instincts developed to keep them safe in the wild, although science has not yet confirmed this fully. Turning in circles may have allowed cats in the wild to examine their surroundings, position themselves appropriately and comfortably, and out of the way of potential predators. It also allows them to leave a pheromone trail that provides them with comfort and reassurance. Cats are quite ritualistic regarding their bedtime activities; most generally follow a set routine, which they aren’t inclined to deviate from.

Featured Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock