Floppycats
If you’re not familiar with the term, splooting is when a cat lays out flat on their stomach while having both of its hind legs spread all the way to the back.
Why is it Called a Sploot?
There is also a name for cats keeping their fore and hind legs tucked in under them. This is called “cat loaf” or “cat loafing” because they look like loaves of bread.
There are two main reasons why your cat is splooting. First, when it gets into this adorable position, it is either because it wants to relax or because it wants to cool down.
Cats Laying Down and Splooting for Relaxation
As all cat owners know, cats are incredibly flexible, so the splooting position is nothing more than stretching. It is also a very comfortable position for their backs, which is why cats love sploot.
Splooting to cool down
When cats lay on their bellies with their fore and hind legs spread out on the floor, they could also be trying to cool down. They use this position to expand the contact area with the floor, which is cooler.
Like there are many yoga positions guaranteed to help you relax, there is also more than one type of splooting your cat can do to stretch its limbs. Here are the three levels of cat splooting:
When your cat has its forelegs spread out in front of it, and its hind legs stretch all the way behind itself, that is the complete sploot. That is the maximum level of relaxation for the cat’s joints, muscles, and spine.
When one of your cat’s legs is tucked in under it, cat loaf-like, but the other hind leg is stretched out to the side, that is the side sploot. Because sometimes, your cat might have different relaxation needs in its legs.