If Your Cat Sits Like This, It's a Sign They Feel Safe and Trust You
If you're anything like me, you're constantly wondering if your pet loves you or not. I have dogs, so it's pretty easy to tell that they definitely do love me and trust me completely, but cats can be a little harder. Some of them are total lovebugs, but there are also plenty who simply aren't like that.
There's one thing that can help clue you in, though, and a lot of cat parents actually have no idea about it. If your cat is constantly sitting in this position, it's a sign that they feel safe around you, and that you've definitely earned their trust:
@basepaws Why do cats loaf? It's more than just cute - it's one of the ways they show trust and comfort! #cat#catsoftiktok#loafing#catbehavior#catfacts
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BasePaws knows a lot about cats, but this might be my favorite piece of knowledge ever. There are so many cats who loaf all the time, and yet their parents are always left wondering if they really care for them!
Cats loaf as a way to conserve body heat: they lose or retain a lot of heat through their paws, just like we do through our hands and feet. If they want to stay warm, they tuck their paws in. It creates this "loaf" position, typically called that because they resemble a loaf of bread.
Related: New Mama Maine Coon Cat Making Biscuits on Her Babies Is the Sweetest
What Your Cat's Position Reveals About Their Feelings
Loafing is just one of an endless number of positions you might find your cat in throughout the day. Though you might not think the way a cat is sitting can really say much, that's actually not true at all. These are some of the most common positions for cats:
- Loafing: "I feel safe and happy."
- Belly-up: "I feel REALLY safe and happy."
- Sitting straight up, ears perked: "Something fishy is happening here, and I'm on alert."
- Cowering, ears back: "I'm scared!"
- Favoring one side/paw/refusing to be pet, ears back: "Something hurts."
Just because your cat is standing in a position that might lean toward them being uncomfortable or scared doesn't mean they don't like or trust you. It just means something is upsetting them in that moment, and you should try to fix it.
Why Won't Cats Loaf When They're On Alert?
Cats loaf around when they're lounging, often either on top of you, next to you, or in their favorite spots. Loafing is like their reward after a long, hard day.
"Loafing" requires a cat to tuck their paws up under their body. The reason why they'll only do it when they feel safe is simple: with their paws tucked in, they can't get away as quickly. It'll be harder for them to flee if a threat comes along. If your cat is loafing, it's because you've helped them learn that you'd never let anything hurt them!
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM.