Have you ever seen a kitten sitting like a human? Maybe you’ve heard that when cats sit like this, they’re sick. But after observing your cat’s daily eating, drinking, and normal activity levels—along with enough rest—you might realize it’s not acting sick at all. So, what’s the real reason behind cats sometimes sitting like humans? After raising cats for a while, I’ve discovered it actually means the following…
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Cats Sit to Groom Themselves
Cats are naturally clean creatures, and their fur requires regular grooming. When they sit like humans, it allows them to easily lick their fur or their back end with their tongue. They carefully groom every part of their body to ensure their fur stays neat and clean. Sitting this way helps them reach areas like their belly and legs more easily for grooming. My cat, “Mimi,” often sits like this on her little mat after waking up, carefully licking her fur.
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Cats Imitate Humans
Cats spend a lot of time with their owners and observe their behaviors closely. When they see their owner sitting on a chair or couch, they might try to mimic that behavior and sit in a similar way. They may feel that sitting like this brings them closer to their owner or simply find the behavior interesting and want to try it themselves. I often sit at my desk to read or work, and “Mimi” likes to wander around my feet. One day, I stood up to get some water, and when I returned, I found her sitting on the chair next to me, perfectly still, looking at the book on the desk as if to say, “Look, I can sit like you too.” Her little paws were neatly placed in front of her, and she was sitting upright like a serious student, which made me laugh.
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To Avoid Sitting on Their Tail
A cat’s tail is important for balance and expressing emotions. When cats sit like humans, their tail naturally falls behind them or rests to the side, avoiding being squashed by their body. This way, their tail can move freely without the risk of accidental pain from being sat on. It’s a comfortable position for both the cat and its tail.
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Cats Are Focused
When a cat sees something interesting outside, like a beautiful butterfly fluttering or a uniquely shaped car passing by, their attention is drawn to it. In these moments, we often see them sitting like humans, eyes fixed on the outside world, trying to figure out what’s going on. Their full attention is on whatever is captivating them, and even their normally active paws remain still. Once the object of interest is gone, they snap back to reality. One time, I was watching Animal Planet in the living room when a herd of antelopes appeared on screen. My cat, “Mimi,” had been playing with her little toy, but as soon as she saw the animals on TV, she immediately sat like a human, eyes locked on the screen, ears perked up, and even dropped her toy to the side.
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Cats Sitting Like Humans When They’re Uncomfortable (Special Cases)
If a cat is feeling unwell, such as having joint pain, sitting like this might help relieve the discomfort. If your pet suddenly changes its sitting posture, especially older cats or dogs, it could be a sign of joint degeneration or pain. Changing positions can help ease the discomfort. For example, if a Scottish Fold cat is in pain, it may sit like a human but with stiff limbs due to the pain. In such cases, the cat is sitting this way because it’s the only way it can find some comfort. So, if you notice unusual behavior in your pet, be sure to pay attention!
Have you ever seen a cat sit like a human? What do you think is going on with them?
