When Do Cats Stretch?

Cats are Jekyll and Hyde creatures. Whilst on the one hand they may be skilled in the art of relaxation, on the other hand they are paranoid pessimists. They are forever on the lookout for danger. It is the latter trait that can turn a chilled-out cat into a nervous wreck!

To compensate for this, particularly anxious cats might stretch excessively in a constant attempt to self-appease. It might also be a habit formed as a possible consequence of persistent tension in their bodies. The stretching might be accompanied by yawning which, in this context, is another indicator that a cat might be feeling anxious.

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Stretching is also one of a number of behaviors seen in breeding females when they are at the stage in their reproductive cycle where they are capable of conceiving and are ready to accept a male. The stretching is usually accompanied by calling, purring, rolling, squirming and head rubbing. She will do this whether or not a male is actually present!

Kitty Stretches Can Be Relaxed or Alert

If a cat looks like he’s having a good neck stretch, it might simply be that he’s checking out a new or unfamiliar object in his environment. From a safe distance, he will stretch his head forward to catch any scent. For cats, stretching and scratching go hand in hand (or should I say, ‘paw in paw!’).

If we’ve provided our cat with a nice tall scratching post he’s just as likely to use this to grab onto and stretch out, as he is to scratch it. Stretching and scratching almost always follow a period of sleep or rest. So it’s a good idea to have a scratching post near your cat’s favourite resting place.

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If you see your sleeping cat stretched out on his side, this doesn’t just indicate that he’s relaxed, but also tells us how warm he is. A cat that’s feeling cold is more likely to sleep tightly curled up. We should also spare a thought for our elderly cats who may find it difficult to stretch due to painful joint conditions. Providing them with a heat pad will help to relax their muscles and ease the pain.

Social Gestures

Of course, stretching is also a lovely behavior that our cats might perform simply as a social gesture. It is a way of telling us that they feel comfortable in our presence. This is especially true if we share a very close bond with our cat. For instance, if you come home after a day at work your cat might typically greet you by falling onto his side and exposing his belly. This is known as a ‘social roll.’

Alongside this you may expect to see your cat stretching his paws. For cats that particularly love human contact, this could be seen as an invitation for you to get down and give them a back scratch or a tickle around the cheeks. Naturally, if you do this regularly (and it’s something your cat enjoys), he’s likely to repeat the behavior every time you get home!

Why Do Cats Stretch When They Approach You?

Asides from being a greeting behavior, a cat might stretch towards you in order to sniff your outstretched hand. This will stimulate the secretory glands in his cheeks and allow him to deposit his scent on you by rubbing his cheek against your hand. This is a good sign that he is happy!

Why Does My Cat Stretch Out In Front Of Me?

Your cat might habitually stretch out in front of you whilst resting, showing just how secure he feels around you. Of course, stretching could be a sign that your cat is simply trying to attract your attention.

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He might nonchalantly stretch out at your feet, claws extended so that they come into contact with whichever part of your body is closest to him. This will usually elicit a response from you and—voilà—your cat has achieved his desired goal! Next time, he’ll know exactly what to do to ‘encourage’ you to attend to him!

Some Cats Stretch Out Their Paws

If you’ve ever watched a cat extend and retract his front claws whilst relaxing or being stroked, it can be mesmerizing! Unusually, my little Siamese cat Billy, loves to be cradled in my arms whilst having his tummy scratched.

During this process, he will purr like an engine and stretch his front paws way out above his head whilst spreading out his toes. I’ve yet to find any other visual representation of sheer bliss that compares to this! But why do cats stretch their paws in front of you as if they’re kneading the air?

This is a behavior that harks back to kittenhood. When kittens are born they are blind and deaf and totally dependent on their mothers. They are however, able to smell and they use this sense to navigate to their mother’s teat. Once there, they spread their toes to expose their claws. Then they close their claws as they lift their paws alternately and press down on their mother’s mammary glands. This stimulates the let-down of milk.

This is a wonderfully comforting experience for them and it’s therefore no surprise that cats can carry this instinctive kneading reflex into adulthood. They might use it as a means of comforting themselves. Or when they’re experiencing moments of bliss, which evoke the same feelings of contentment they had when they were suckling. So, if your cat does this either in front of you, or when you’re touching him, you can count yourself as very lucky!

Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY