Sometimes cat behavior can be inexplicable to humans. Things that seem funny to us, a simple game or perhaps even a whim of the feline, are actually based on instinct.
If you have ever seen your cat roll around on the floor, it is very likely that you have wondered what motivates this peculiar behavior, which can be accompanied by some meows and even movements somewhat contorted. If you want to know why your cat rolls on the floor, keep reading the following article on our site.
Mark your territory
Rolling on the ground and spinning around is a behavior that is not only appreciated in house cats, but also in felines of larger size. One of the reasons why they do this is to mark their territory and keep other felines as well as possible enemies that might feel threatened by the presence of the cat at a distance. animal.
How do they do this? Pheromones are the main responsible for marking the territory. All animals, including humans, emit pheromones, which are responsible for giving each animal its characteristic scent, among other functions. That is why when the cat wants to protect its territory, it rubs its entire body on the ground and other surfaces with the intention of spreading its scent in the surroundings. Thus, if you notice that your cat is spinning on the ground or wallowing, this may be the cause that motivates it. In the same way, outside the cats wallow in the ground also for marking.
Do you want to learn more about how pheromones work? Check out this article on Pheromones in cats and find out everything.
She is in heat
Pheromones also play an important role during the mating season of felines, both in males and females. Through them, not only the characteristic scent marks of each cat are transmitted, but also signs of certain body changes, such as the ideal time to mate.
During this period females and males show a different behavior than usual, in which it is possible to stand out by turning around on the ground, something that cats do above all. So that? Well, to disseminate her pheromones full of the aroma of heat and thus attract all the males that are nearby. In addition, it is common for them to meow in a very characteristic way, so during this period it is normal to see the cat rolling on the ground and meowing. For more information, don't miss our article on heat in cats.
It's hot
While it is true that felines have a higher body temperature and therefore like to do things like sunbathe or sleep near the heater, when the summer heat intensifies can be affected by it, and even feel a little overwhelmed.
With the intention of cooling off it is likely that the cat will not only drink larger amounts of water and look for ventilated places to rest, but also also rub on the floor of your home if it is made of materials such as granite, marble or wood, which are usually cold to the touch. In this way, if you notice that your cat rolls around on the floor and, in addition, drinks more water than usual, this is probably the reason why your cat lies on the floor all the time. Similarly, if you have a garden, you can lie down on the ground in a shaded area.
You feel itchy
The flexibility of cats is one of their most emblematic characteristics. Seeing them contort themselves into positions that seem impossible for the common human being, worthy of a yoga master, is something fun for us. However, despite its amazing elasticity, the cat may not reach a particularly problematic area of their body and may choose to rub against an object to relieve itching in that area. Thus, if the discomfort is located on the back, for example, it is normal for the cat to rub on the floor, squirm or make the croquette to scratch himself
In this case, we recommend checking his coat and skin well to try to find out the cause of the discomfort. It may be nothing, but there is also the possibility that you have external parasites or a wound.
Want to play
There are many ways your cat tells you that he wants to play with you and among them is lying on his back and rolling around on the groundor whatever surface is closest to you for you to see and understand that wants some fun
When he does, try to bring him a toy or approach him with gestures that indicate your intention to play, surely you will have a lot of fun together! And if you want to learn about fun games, don't miss our article on the 10 best games to entertain your cat.
In the same way, a cat may carry out this same behavior to want to play with another cat or animal that lives in the home.
Get your attention
Cats, especially those that live in apartments, amuse themselves by chasing their humans around the house and observing what they do during the day. It is a hobby that they alternate with their long hours of sleep. When you're too busy to spend enough time with your feline, he may get bored or feel neglected, sowill try to get your attention in any way, he can't stand it if you don't see him!
These ways include spinning on his back or offering you his seductive belly, hoping to convince you to spend time with him. If at another time he has taken this attitude and has received the attention and pampering he wanted, it is likely that he will continue to do so to obtain the same results, this being the reason that explains why your cat rolls on the floor and meows right inside of your perimeter of vision, of course, without being in heat.
As an effect of catnip
Catnip, also called catnip, is a delicacy for most felines, whose main effect is to relax and enchant them Yes If you spread a little of this herb on the ground, it is normal for the cat to turn on its back, turn and contort in all directions, dying of pleasure from the effects that this substance produces.
Shows submission
Especially when several cats live in the home, observing that one of them rolls on the ground on its back may indicate that shows the other submission Among the cats of the same social group, a hierarchy is established and it is possible that one behaves in a more dominant way. These are natural behaviors that we should not correct or treat. We should only intervene if there is a bad relationship between the cats and they even get damaged. In this case, it is important to try to achieve a good coexistence or, at least, that they are tolerated without causing any harm.
Glad to see you
Does your cat drop to the ground and roll around when he sees you? Especially if you've been gone for a few hours, he may perform this behavior when they get home because they are glad to see you. Cats have a complex communication system and have learned to communicate with us in different ways, one of them being body language.
For pure pleasure
In the same way that we tend to stretch to feel better, cats wriggle on the ground and roll over to stretchbecause this gives them pleasure. By doing these stretches they feel better and therefore repeat it often. This does not have to be done indoors, if you have a garden it is also normal for your cat to roll on the ground to stretch.
