![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Oliviatrashcat-225x300.jpg\")
I\u2019ve had many cats over the years\u2014some pure bred, but mostly mixed breeds of unknown backgrounds and I don\u2019t recall any of them crossing their paws when they relaxed.<\/p>\nI\u2019ve had many cats over the years\u2014some pure bred, but mostly mixed breeds of unknown backgrounds and I don\u2019t recall any of them crossing their paws when they relaxed.<\/p>\n
Olivia, our two-year-old calico crosses her paws almost every time she lies down. Why? Does it matter? Probably not, but it\u2019s an interesting question and it\u2019s so darn cute to see a cat crossing her paws.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve read quite a bit about this trait or habit or ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Oliviacrosspawsdesk-225x300.jpg\")
whatever it is in cats and here are a few concepts I\u2019ve come across. For one thing, it is thought that this trait is most common among the Maine coon breed. I had Olivia\u2019s DNA chart done and she is, indeed, part Maine coon. I know other calicos that habitually cross their ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/oliviaxpaws-e1600860460988-225x300.jpg\")
paws when they lie down. Olivia is a calico. But is that the whole story? What is it about the Maine coon and maybe some calicos that cause them to cross their paws?<\/p>\n
Some say cats do this when they\u2019re stressed or anxious or maybe cold. Paw-crossing makes them feel safe and warm. Others say they do this for balance\u2014or to relax and feel more at ease. Still others believe the cat is ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/OliviacrossedNew-225x300.jpg\")
demonstrating friendship-trust.<\/p>\n
The theory most realistic to me is anatomy\u2014the bone structure of the cat. I notice that when Olivia crosses her paws, one \u201celbow\u201d sticks out. Could it be that a cat with a longer frame or a particular body style is simply more comfortable lying down with their paws crossed? It\u2019s just a more comfortable position for some cats.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of online articles discussing this topic and a barrage of cute photos of cats crossing their paws. Here are a few references:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/purrwv.org\/why-do-cats-cross-their-paws\/<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.catsinfo.com\/why-do-maine-coons-cross-their-paws<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>People ask if Olivia has a preference as to which paw she crosses over. Nope–as you can see, she’s an equal opportunity paw-crosser.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019ve had many cats over the years\u2014some pure bred, but mostly mixed breeds of unknown backgrounds and I don\u2019t recall any of them crossing their paws when they relaxed. Olivia, our two-year-old calico crosses her paws almost every time she … Continue reading