What is Splooting? And Why Do Cats Do It.

Have you heard about cats splooting? When cats lay flat on their stomach with their hind legs out, they look adorable. But what is splooting? Can all cats do it? And is it bad for them?

Let’s look into this feline relaxation position. Get ready to see our collection of pictures of cats splooting! Sit back smile and Enjoy! 

What is Splooting?

Maine Coon mix cat splooting Sven does a sploot on the bathroom floor
Photo credit: Sven on 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. Usually, cats keep their hind legs tucked neatly under them and spread their forelegs, but sometimes, they spread both their fore and hind legs. This is called splooting. Read more about Splooting here.

Why is it Called a Sploot?

Bowie loved by Gale Bowie is a Chocolate bicolor Ragdoll cat splooting
Photo credit: Used with permission for Floppycats.

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.

Sometimes, you can’t even see their legs anymore, especially in cats with longer hair. They almost look like they’re floating. Read more about Splooting here.

Why Do Animals Sploot?

Ragdoll kitten Niko splooting when he was a baby on a red velvet sofa
Photo Credit: Pam on Floppycats

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. Read more about Splooting here.

Splooting for Relaxation

Soba the Ragdoll Seal Point Splooting on a blanket on a bed with toys next to her
Photo credit: Soba on Floppycats

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.

So, the next time you see your kitty with its hind legs stretched out on the floor, take it as a reminder to relax. Your cat, indeed, is. Read more about Splooting here.

Splooting To Cool Down

Ragdoll Cat Honey Splooting Cats Lying Flat on Stomach with Legs Out 3 photo collage
Photo credit: Debra on Floppycats

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.

By doing this, they can lower their body temperature relatively quickly. In fact, cats prefer to sploot on floor tiles rather than carpeted areas precisely because these are cooler. Cats love to sploot all over the bathroom floor on hot sunny days.

3 Levels of Splooting

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. Read more about Splooting here.

The Complete Sploot

Maine Coon mix cat splooting Sven does another sploot on a wooden table
Photo credit: Sven on Floppycats

When your cat has its forelegs spread out in front of it and its hind legs stretch behind itself, that is the complete sploot. That is the maximum level of relaxation for the cat’s joints, muscles, and spine. Read more about Splooting here.

The Side Sploot

Maine Coon mix cat splooting Sven is a pro at sploots on a tile floor next to a carpet
Photo credit: Sven on Floppycats

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. Read more about Splooting here.

The Halfway Sploot

Ragdoll Cat Pippin Splooting 2 photo collage left one as a baby on a tile floor and the right one as a young adult
Photo credit: Floppycats

When one of your cat’s legs is stretched out back, but the other is neatly tucked in under its belly, it is doing the half sploot. Because sometimes, your cat needs to do it one leg at a time. Read more about Splooting here.

Is Splooting Bad for Cats?

Ragdoll cat Ollie Splooting on the gray carpet on the floor
Photo credit: Anneke on Floppycats

No, splooting is definitely not bad for cats.

While the position might initially seem a bit out of the ordinary, rest assured that your cat is not at risk of any damage. Cats are incredibly flexible, so stretching their hind legs is not a giant leap.

Even if they sploot for longer, they are not at risk for any injury, so you have nothing to worry about.

This position actually helps them relax their leg muscles and their spine. It is also called cat yoga; that’s how relaxing it can be for your cat to sit in this position. You might notice that it is also purring while splooting. That’s another indication that it’s relaxation time. 

People often get scared when they see their cats splooting because most cats don’t do it very often. Not only does the position seem extreme, but it also resembles the position cats paralyzed from their waist down lay in.

If you get scared, rest assured that you can pick up your cat and put it down to check if it still has control over its legs. Read more about Splooting here.

Can Splooting Be Dangerous for Your Cat?

Ragdoll Cat Delilah Splooting Picture taken by Marliese Walter on a wooden floor next to a blue wall
Photo credit: Delilah on Floppycats

While the position itself does not put your cat at risk in any way, the place it is splooting might. The most significant concern with splooting is tied to a large temperature difference.

Cats sploot to lower their body temperature, so if they are heated up, and they lay in an area that is significantly cooler than they are, this does pose a risk. On the other hand, if the temperature difference is too big, it might be dangerous for them.

This could lead to health issues such as acute arthritis or UTIs. That’s why you should prevent it. On hot days, ensure that your cat doesn’t have access to areas with cold floors or air conditioning. Read more about Splooting here.

Can All Cats Sploot?

cat breeds that sploot Splooting cat Daisy 12 year old Ragdoll splooting Loved by Sue on the kitchen counter
Photo credit: Daisy on Floppycats

Yes, all cats can sploot, but young cats do it more than older cats do. That’s because they are more flexible and they have healthier joints.

Cats who are overweight might find it difficult to sploot because this position can become painful. This happens because a more significant weight pushes down on the joints in their hind legs.

So, they may do it rarely and for short periods, or not at all. Cats with joint issues may also avoid this position because it causes them pain. Splooting can also be painful for cats that have undergone traumas in their hind legs or hips. Read more about Splooting here.

Is Splooting Dangerous for Old Cats?

Pictures of Cats Splooting Cats Lying Flat on Stomach with Legs Out 2 image collage
Photo credit: Bubbles on Floppycats

When a young cat sits with its back legs out, there is no risk, but when an old cat does the cat sploot, it can strain its joints, so you may not want your elderly cat splooting for too long.

But you probably won’t have to intervene because cats usually do very well on self-preservation. If a cat experiences pain when lying in a particular position, it will change itself. We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of pictures of cats splooting.

Have you ever seen your cat splooting? Does it like to sit in this position often? Does your cat do the full sploot, or is it more of a side splooter? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.

Should You Be Concerned if Your Cat Is Splooting?

Soba, the Ragdoll Seal Point
Photo credit: Soba on Floppycats

Under normal conditions, you shouldn’t be worried about cats splooting. This is because splooting allows a cat to increase the flexibility between joints and hips. But suppose you notice other symptoms along with cats’ splooting, such as limping, rash, and loss of appetite. In that case, that is definitely a cause for concern.

Pay attention to your kitten’s behavior and know when to call the vet. Suppose your cat exhibits any of these accompanying symptoms along with cat splooting. In that case, you should contact your veterinarian right away:

  • Itchiness or Rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Limping
  • Decreased activity

Although cats splooting is a common phenomenon for cats, it can also be due to an underlying medical condition such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Injury
  • Hip Dysplasia

Again, you shouldn’t be worried about your cat’s splooting if it is not showing any odd symptoms or already present medical conditions.

As mentioned earlier, you can think of cats splooting as just a stretching position in which cats feel comfortable. But any symptoms or underlying medical conditions along with splooting should be a cause of concern and discussed with the vet.

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Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,

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7 Comments

  1. Edgar Allen Paws says:

    lol my cat who just turned 1 sploots full-on, and also does the same thing as Dave Phillip’s cat!! <3 Its so cute! My cat does it constantly, ad its so funny to watch him stretch his legs out as he's walking and then lay down in a perfect sploot. He also does the partial sploot things!

  2. Dave Phillips says:

    I have 3 rescues, where the youngest, at 9yrs, does a full sploot with a twist!!
    He front legs stretch full front, and her back legs head the other direction, fully stretched out.
    She will sleep like that, purring quietly.
    I have pictures but don’t see where I can attach them.

  3. Patti Johnson says:

    Casa Johnson is a sploot-free zone. 🙂 <3

    Big hugs & lots of love & purrs!

    Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle (who is 10.5 years old today and remains splootless) 🙂 <3

  4. RagdollsFurever says:

    Have owned ragdoll cats for over 30 years. Never have they “splooted”. They will gladly lay on their back in the middle of the floor, but never “sploot”.

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