You’re sitting on the couch, lounging back and relaxing, when your cat jumps up beside you. She steps delicately onto your lap, turns around a few times, and then settles in with her back facing you. As you reach to pet her, she looks back with an expression that says “don’t even think about it!” Why does she sit like this, facing away from you? As cat owners know, these quirky creatures don’t always make their behaviors and preferences easy to decipher. However, there are some leading theories that may explain this peculiar feline habit.
In this article we’ll explore some of the top reasons behind sitting with their back to you, also called “non-social sitting.” Theories range from temperature regulation and playfulness, to marking territory and showing affection. While the motivations behind this stance are complex, understanding them better can help strengthen your bond with kitty.
Territory Marking
Cats have scent glands in several areas of their body, including their paw pads, cheeks, chin, lips, and base of the tail. When they sit or rub against objects, they leave behind pheromones that mark the area as their territory (ASPCA). By facing away with their rear end toward you, cats can spread these pheromones and mark you as part of their territory.
Territorial marking is an instinctive behavior in cats. Both neutered males and spayed females will mark territory by rubbing, scratching objects, and urine spraying (Dumb Friends League). Sitting with their rear facing you allows cats to subtly mark territory without urine spraying. This scent marking puts their smell on you to show other cats that you are part of their domain.
Showing Trust
Cats show trust by exposing their vulnerable back to you. Sitting with their back facing you is a sign that your cat feels comfortable and trusts you not to attack them while their guard is down [1]. When a cat exposes their back, it indicates they consider you part of their social group and family. If a cat does not fully trust you, they will be unlikely to turn their back and instead remain facing you.
Sitting is a relaxed position that exposes a cat’s back. When your cat hops up on your lap and faces away, it means they feel secure enough to expose their back and underside. This shows they trust you not to harm them. It’s an instinctual and vulnerable position for cats. If they didn’t trust you, they would likely avoid sitting with their back to you.
Playing Hard to Get
Cats often seem aloof or indifferent towards their owners. However, research shows that cats form strong bonds and become just as attached to their humans as dogs do[1]. When a cat sits or lies down facing away from you, it’s not necessarily a sign that they want to be left alone. In fact, it can be their way of playing hard to get to gain your attention.
Cats are known for wanting affection and interaction on their own terms. By positioning themselves just out of reach and not making direct eye contact, they prompt you to actively engage with them. You may find yourself moving closer, petting them, or talking to them to get a response. This positions you as the initiator while allowing them to remain aloof. Yet studies show cats feel secure and develop attachment when owners initiate frequent positive interaction[1]. So a cat facing away is likely just being coy – hoping you’ll make the first move.
Temperature Regulation
Cats have fewer sweat glands than humans, so they can’t regulate their body temperature as efficiently through sweating. To help cool down, cats will expose their bellies which have less fur and allow heat to escape more easily.Source Exposing their underside and belly is an effective way for cats to release excess body heat on a hot day or if they are feeling warm. The thinner fur on the belly allows more heat to radiate away from their body. Source
Staying Alert
According to Why does my cat like to face away from me when she sits …, one reason cats sit facing away is to stay alert to potential threats. Cats have a strong instinct to monitor their surroundings for safety. By facing away, a cat can keep watch with a wider field of view. Even when sitting with trusted owners, cats feel more secure being able to visually scan for any dangers. The cat feels comfortable and relaxed around the owner, but its natural instincts tell it to stay alert.
Showing Affection
One reason your cat may sit facing away from you is to show affection on their own terms. Cats can be independent and like to be in control. Facing away while remaining nearby allows the cat to bond with their owner without the intensity of direct eye contact or face-to-face interaction. As Pet Zone explains, “By having his back to you, he’s able to monitor what’s going on around him and spend time close to his favorite human.
Cats often show affection subtly through proximity and being in the same room with their owners. Facing away provides just enough interaction and bonding while still allowing the cat to retain a sense of autonomy and control of the situation. As Quora notes, gentle and affectionate cats may place an open paw on your face as a scent-mark of affection while remaining facing away from you. This allows the cat to show love on their own terms.
So next time your cat sits or lies near you but faces the other direction, recognize it as a sign of trust and bonding. Your cat is showing affection by being nearby while maintaining their independence. In this way, sitting facing away makes both pet and owner happy.
Kneading
Cats often knead when they are content and relaxed. Kneading involves rhythmically pushing in and out with their front paws, alternating between left and right. It is an instinctive behavior mother cats do to their kittens to stimulate milk flow while nursing. Adult cats continue to knead when they are happy and comfortable as a way to show contentment [1].
Cats may choose to knead while facing away from their owner because it is easier to stretch out and get in a comfortable kneading position that way. Facing away allows them to fully extend their front legs and get leverage to push in and out [2]. So a cat kneading with its back to you is likely just getting cozy and showing affection through kneading.
Overall, kneading is a positive sign that a cat is relaxed, comfortable, and content. The facing away position simply allows them to fully enjoy kneading their owner.
[1] https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/understanding-cats/why-do-cats-knead
[2] https://cats.com/why-do-cats-knead
Conclusion
In summary, there are several main theories as to why cats sit with their backs to us. These include territory marking, showing trust, playing hard to get, regulating body temperature, staying alert, showing affection, and kneading. Cats sitting or lying with their behinds facing us is likely a sign of relaxation and comfort in our presence. It indicates they feel safe letting their guard down as they do not perceive us as threats.
This behavior that may seem peculiar or aloof to us can give cat owners insight into the special bond shared with their feline companions. The psychology and mannerisms of cats remain mysterious in many ways. Learning about why they carry out curious rituals like facing away while sitting near us allows cat owners to better understand the cat mindset. Their unique expressions of trust and vulnerability when in our company can help strengthen the loving human-cat relationship.
References
[1] Vetstreet. “Why Does My Cat Stare at Me Without Blinking?” Accessed January 30, 2023. https://vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-cat-stare-at-me-without-blinking.
[2] International Cat Care. “Cat communication – how do cats communicate?” Accessed January 30, 2023. https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-communication-how-do-cats-communicate/.
[3] The Spruce Pets. “Why Do Cats Knead With Their Paws?” Accessed January 30, 2023. https://www.thesprucepets.com/cat-kneading-meaning-553921.
[4] VCA Hospitals. “Why Does My Cat Sit with Her Back to Me?” Accessed January 30, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-does-my-cat-sit-with-her-back-to-me.
