Have you ever wondered why your cat likes to roll over on its back? Why does it do it, or what does it want to tell you? Although it may seem like an elementary gesture, this action can say a lot about your furry friend’s mood and can even indicate if something is wrong with his health. “Why do cats roll around“?
Most of the time, when a cat rolls around, it indicates to us that it is relaxed and happy. However, it’s always good to know how to differentiate when your cat invites you to play with him and when your cat tells you that he loves you without asking to be petted.
The truth is that when it comes to cats, it is better to investigate before trying to guess what their actions mean. Better be cautious and avoid a good scratch.
Why do cats roll around? 4 common reasons
If you want to play it safe, keep reading and find out what your cat’s funny rolls mean.
1. Cat is seeking attention
Oh yes! Cats know perfectly well how cute they are and that almost no one could resist a kitten lying on the floor and rolling around. Indeed when he did it the first time, he called your attention, and you went to talk to him with a sweet voice and give him some love, right? Well, there you have it. Your cat has figured out how to get cuddles, quality time, and tasty snacks.
When an animal lies on its back, it presents its stomach uncovered, leaving it vulnerable to an attack by a predator. If your kitty lies on its belly, consider that through its body language, it lets you know that it trusts you very much because it knows that you will not attack it and will protect it in case of danger. What a great honor, congratulations!
But beware, just because your cat is in this position does not mean you can give him belly rubs. It is still a no-go area unless you want to get a few scratches.
2. Cat wants to play
When a cat feels playful, it will immediately look at how to have a good time. If you see your cat lie down and roll on his back in front of another cat or other animals, he invites them to play with him. And the same happens if he does it with you. If you see that your cat rolls and has a silly attitude, throw him a toy, and you will see how he goes crazy with happiness.
Whoever said cats were cold and dull because they have never had one.
As a fun fact, a cat rolling on your feet always wants two things, play or a little attention, but it will never mean that it is showing an attitude of submission. Remember that for cats, the leaders of the house are themselves.
3. Cat is marking territory
Cats have sweat glands all over their bodies and use them brilliantly. Through them, they release pheromones that they use to attract potential sexual partners and keep intruders away from what they consider their property.
When a cat is in heat, she will want to look for a mate to reproduce with, and the best way is to release large amounts of pheromones so that the local cats, with their incredible smell, will sense her and know that she is available.
If your kitty is in heat, you will see her rolling around to mark various areas with her scent or cleanse herself of the aroma of some cat she has spent time with, or even yours. She won’t want anything to ruin her intentions of attracting the ideal cat.
And when cats, male or female, want to mark their territory so that all the cats on the block know that they live there, you’ll also see them rubbing their fur against the furniture and rolling around to use all their glands to cover more marking space. Don’t be surprised if they rub against your legs. Your cat also wants to ensure that everyone knows you already have a cat owner.
4. Cat wants to scratch its back
Okay, this one is self-explanatory, but maybe we hadn’t thought of it. We all get itchy, and it’s hard to reach our backs. Luckily we have long arms, but poor cats don’t! When your cat has an itchy back, he may resort to scratching himself against a piece of furniture, rolling over on his back, and helping himself off the floor to relieve the itch.
Once your kitty has finished rolling, you can help him with a good massage. He will thank you for it. If you notice that your cat repeats this action a lot, he probably has one of the following skin problems.
- Allergies
- Dermatitis
- Dry skin
- Fleas or ticks
Don’t hesitate and visit the vet to prescribe the appropriate treatment for your cat.
Why do cats roll around? Final words
See how many reasons a cat can lie down and roll over its back? Now all you need is a little context, and you’ll be able to figure out what your little guy means every time he does it. Cats undoubtedly have an extraordinary ability to convey many ideas through their body language.
Please remember that if your cat is showing other strange behaviors, such as not eating, drinking, or using the sandbox, it may be sick, so it’s always best to go to the vet to rule out any health problems.
Does your cat roll around a lot? Please share your experiences with us in the comments!