Our pet cats, like us, express ourselves through body language. There are numerous physical cues that indicate how a cat is feeling, such as a vertically raised tail held high in the air, which indicates a cat is relaxed and open to interaction.
But what does it mean when a pregnant cat throws itself to the ground and starts rolling around on its back?
Your pregnant cat rolling her back typically means that the cat feels safe and maybe wants some attention from you.
Keep reading this article to know more about why your pregnant cat is rolling on her back.
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Do Pregnant Cats Roll Around?
Yes, pregnant cats can sometimes roll around.
Sometimes a cat’s behavior is inexplicable to humans.
Things we find amusing, such as chasing strings or climbing up curtains, are completely normal to them and are based on their feline instinct.
If you’ve ever seen your pregnant cat roll around on the ground, you’ve probably wondered what motivates this unusual behavior.
Pregnant cats roll on their backs when they are playful, itchy, or need to stretch.
The rolling is sometimes accompanied by purring, rubbing its head against the floor, and meowing.
Whatever the reason for your pregnant cat rolling on its back, this movement is usually a good sign.
The rolling-over motion usually indicates that the cat is safe and wants your attention.
Cats that are pregnant or in heat will have enlarged nipples and will be affectionate to other living beings.
Only a pregnant cat will be extremely vocal while rolling around on the floor.
Cats in heat walk differently, with their backsides, pointed up into the air and their tails angled slightly to the side.
Interesting Read: Why Is My Pregnant Cat Meowing So Much?
Why Is My Pregnant Cat Rolling Around?
Here are some reasons behind your pregnant cat rolling around: –
1. To Scratch Their Back
When a pregnant cat has an itch on its back, it can’t scratch it with its feet to relieve the itch.
Pregnant cats will frequently throw themselves down on the ground and roll over on their backs to scratch themselves.
Pregnant cats, like other creatures, can have dry skin and parasites such as fleas and mites living in their fur.
All of these things can cause skin allergies and severe itching.
Examine your pregnant cat’s fur and skin if she appears to be in pain when writhing around on his back.
Examine your pregnant cat’s entire body for signs of skin dryness or parasites, including the back, legs, rump, neck, face, and ears.
If you find fleas or mites in your cat’s fur, seek advice from your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian may request that you bring your pregnant cat in for an examination, or you may be told what products to use to get rid of the tiny little pests that are bothering her.
2. Seeking Attention
A pregnant cat rolling around on its back may be signaling that it wants attention and is willing to interact.
A pregnant cat, unlike a dog, will not usually roll over on its back to receive a belly rub.
Pregnant cats frequently roll around on their backs to demonstrate to humans and other animals that they are social and friendly without necessarily wanting to be touched.
When a pregnant cat is rolling on its back to show that she is feeling social, she will frequently rub her head on the ground while moving it around and purring loudly.
When a pregnant cat meets you, it immediately drops to the ground, rolls around, and purrs loudly.
You must admit that your heart melts a little when you see this endearing cat behavior because it is so adorable!
Having a pet entails lavishing them with affection, even if you are not present throughout the day.
3. To Stretch
Pregnant cats, like humans, need to stretch their muscles from time to time, and they do so in a variety of ways, including laying on their backs and rolling around.
This is most commonly seen when a pregnant cat first awakens from a nap.
You may have seen your pregnant cat wake up from a nap and roll around on its back, stretching its back, legs, and neck.
Allow your pregnant cat to roll around on her back if you believe she is simply stretching her muscles.
If you try to touch her while she’s doing this, she may become enraged, so be careful!
It’s best to wait until your pregnant cat has finished stretching before petting or patting her on the head to greet her.
4. Attempt To Attract The Male
When pregnant cats are outside, they may roll around on their backs to signal to other cats that they are interested in mating. Female cats engage in this behavior to send pheromones to nearby male cats.
These “chemical messages” are transmitted through tiny glands located throughout the cat’s body, including the head, back, and tail.
If you have a pregnant cat who is in heat and goes outside, she will send these chemical messages to male cats in your neighborhood.
While humans cannot detect cat pheromones, male cats can, and they can detect them from a long distance.
If you don’t want more than one batch of kittens, you should have your female cat spayed right away!
5. Play Time
Pregnant cats frequently throw themselves to the ground and roll around on their backs when they’re feeling frisky and playful.
They will behave in this way around people, other cats, and even dogs.
When she sees her human family gathered to play together, a pet pregnant cat may roll around on his back.
Pregnant cats can tell when their owners are having a good time by observing their body language and hearing what they say.
For instance, if your family goes outside to kick a ball around, your pregnant cat might act silly and roll around on his back to let you know she wants to join in too.
Tossing your cat a small cat toy will allow you to determine for sure if she is being playful when rolling around on her back.
She is undoubtedly in a playful mood if she goes on to swat the toy around and bite it.
6. She Feels Safe
If a pregnant cat doesn’t feel safe and secure, it won’t roll over on its back. In actuality, a pregnant cat will roll onto its back when it is at its most at ease.
Consider it to be pregnant cat zen mode. It’s a good sign if a pregnant cat rolls over in front of you.
Your pregnant cat is telling you that she trusts you by doing this.
Your pregnant cat is at its most vulnerable when you expose its belly or other sensitive areas, providing an opportunity for closeness between the two of you.
7. Marking Behaviour
The cat’s scent can travel through the ground when rolling.
Pregnant cats use their scent glands on their cheeks, paws, and flanks to impart a distinctive scent on objects because they primarily communicate through scent.
Large cats as well as domestic cats exhibit this behavior.
Your pregnant cat may be leaving scent trails on the house and on your feet when it rubs its head and cheeks on the floor.
This lets other cats know that you’ve already been marked and that you’ve visited their preferred location (so other cats need to back off).
The use of marking serves to deter any potential adversaries or competitors.
Many pregnant cats have an innate urge to scratch and rub their territory to mark it as their own. You should teach your cat to stop marking its territory with urine, though, if it is doing so.
8. Catnip Effect
Similar rolling behavior might have been observed if you’ve ever given your pregnant cat catnip. Pregnant cats typically have a strong reaction to the catnip herb.
Nepetalactone, the plant’s main active ingredient, has a strong scent that makes cats feel attracted to people.
They enjoy rolling around on the ground after inhalation because of this.
9. Endless Possibilities
Your pregnant cat may be rolling around on the ground for other reasons. As a result of their higher body temperatures, pregnant cats are more likely to sunbathe or sleep close to a heater.
Pregnant cats may therefore easily become overpowered by the sensation and require cooling down.
This includes consuming lots of water, taking breaks outside, and rubbing your feet on cool floors.
By rolling around in the mud, your cat may be contaminating its fur with bacteria and ingesting it when it licks its fur, protecting its digestive system.
It’s likely that your pregnant cat is acting in a reasonable manner.
Interesting Read: Why Do Cats Roll Around After Mating?
Do Pregnant Cats Sleep On Their Back?
Yes, pregnant cats can sleep on their back if they are feeling very safe.
Cats that are pregnant may sleep for up to 18 hours per day.
Your cat was probably sleeping on her back, which may seem odd to you.
A pregnant cat’s sleeping habits are largely influenced by her social tendencies.
Despite their aloof reputation, cats can develop strong bonds with their owners and other animals.
While sleeping, they also look for warmth from body heat.
Cats will often sleep on you, next to you, or with another pet in the home because of this.
Cats must pay attention to stay alive in the wild or outside because they are both predators and prey animals.
Cats are consequently extremely perceptive of their surroundings and protective of their bodies.
Your pregnant cat has probably been observed sleeping on its back with its front legs either resting on its belly or stretched over its head, leaving its belly completely exposed.
A pregnant cat’s exposed belly while sleeping indicates that they are feeling very secure and confident because cats have an innate desire to protect their delicate internal organs.
Even though your pregnant cat may feel secure in this position, you shouldn’t try to rub its belly while they are in it.
Most cats still try to defend themselves when their bellies are touched (by biting, swatting, or scratching).
Also, check out: Do Pregnant Cats Sleep A Lot?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pregnant cat roll on her back mean she is submissive?
In contrast to cats, many dogs roll onto their backs as a sign of deference or submission. Cats typically roll over more as a request for attention than as a sign of submission.
If you live with another animal, such as a dog, your cat might perform a back roll when the other animal isn’t present to let you know it needs some affection.
Never take it for granted that your pregnant cat is requesting a belly rub the way dogs do when they roll over. Otherwise, someone might grab your hand and kick it until it falls.
It’s best to start with a scratch behind the ears because most cats enjoy receiving them.
Does my pregnant cat rolling Infront of me indicate that she trusts me?
If you ask feline behaviorists why cats roll over and expose their bellies, they’ll probably tell you it’s a sign of trust. That is correct. Is it, however, an invitation to rub their bellies?
If your cat exposes her tummy to you, it indicates that she trusts you, but it does not imply that she wants her belly rubbed.
You may have noticed that a couple of tummy rubs will get her to turn around quickly.
What elements ought to be taken into account when selecting a location for a cat’s birth?
Select a quiet spot free of dampness and frigid air. It should be faintly lit instead of brightly lit. If she has a favorite piece of your clothing that she likes to sleep in, you can also include a nightie or T-shirt in the box.
Show your pregnant mother her birthing box and encourage her to sleep in it. Consider moving it to a more tranquil spot if she looks to be upset with it.
Final Words
Many things cause pregnant cats to roll around on their backs. This feline behavior may indicate happiness, contentment, or annoyance.
The next time your pregnant cat rolls onto its back, pay close attention to see if you can decipher the message it’s trying to convey.
Ask us in the comment sections if you have any questions.
Must Read: Cat Behavior After Mating
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