Is My Cat Broken?

Don’t worry. Your cat isn’t buffering, rebooting, or trying to summon a tiny feline tornado.

Written by Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers

I was writing at the kitchen table the other day, focused on my laptop, when I felt fur against my arm. That’s nothing new. It happens all the time when you live with 15 rescue cats. But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an orange ball of fur doing little circles next to my arm.

It was Simba. After three spins, he settled down in the very spot where he started, leaning against my arm for a snooze.

So, What Was Really Happening?

Simba was acting by instincts. Passed down from wild ancestors, this “pre-sleep spin” serves a practical purpose. Of course, Simba isn’t flattening tall grass or checking for snakes before curling up next to me.

Like many indoor cats, he’s simply carrying on instincts that have been passed down for thousands of years.

But why do those instincts still exist today? Let’s examine why cats spin in circles before lying down.

They’re Preparing a Comfortable Bed

Wild cats didn’t have fluffy blankets or memory foam pet beds. Before settling down, they would spin in circles to flatten tall grass, leaves, or even snow, creating a softer, more stable place to sleep.

Curling the material into a shallow nest also helped retain body heat, making it more comfortable to rest.

Cats Spin in Circles to Make Sure It’s Safe

That little spin also gave cats one last chance to check their surroundings. Circling could disturb insects hiding in the grass, encourage snakes or other small animals to move away, and allow a quick look in every direction before becoming vulnerable during sleep.

Some Cats Just Love the Ritual

Today’s indoor cats don’t need to flatten grass or worry about predators, yet many still perform the same little “bedtime dance.” It’s simply one of those instincts that has been passed down through countless generations. Just because the danger is gone doesn’t mean the habit disappeared.

The Bed is Ready for Slumberland

Once a cat spins in circles and they’ve found that “purrfect” position, many cats will stay there for a surprisingly long time. I can personally attest that Simba often stays in the exact same position for hours. Many times I have woken up in the morning with pins-and-needles feeing in my arm because Simba slept on it, meaning I could not move.

Humans, on the other hand, shift positions throughout the night because we’re constantly redistributing pressure on our muscles and joints, adjusting temperature, and moving through different stages of sleep. We may not remember it, but we can change position dozens of times while sleeping.

Cats certainly can move during sleep, they’ll stretch, roll over, twitch during dreaming, or change position if they get too warm or uncomfortable. But compared with people, they often seem remarkably content to remain in the same curled-up position for hours.

Should You Be Concerned?

In almost every case, a cat spinning in circles before lying down is perfectly normal and simply reflects your cat’s natural instincts. However, if your cat suddenly begins circling compulsively, seems disoriented, repeatedly turns in only one direction, or has trouble with balance, it’s time to contact your veterinarian.

These changes can occasionally indicate an underlying medical condition, particularly if the behavior is new or accompanied by other unusual symptoms.

Sweet Dreams!

So the next time you catch your cat spinning a few circles before settling down, don’t panic. They’re not buffering, rebooting, or trying to summon an Orange Feline Tornado.

They’re simply following instincts that have been passed down through countless generations, making sure they have the perfect spot for what cats do best… taking a nap.

Simba, can I have my arm back now?