Cats are masters of sleep – they can sleep for up to 12 to 16 hours a day, breaking up their sleep into short periods throughout the day and night. The way they fall asleep and the positions they rest in reveal a lot about how they feel. When a cat starts to fall asleep, they usually find a quiet place with a good view of their surroundings. They most often curl up in a “loaf” position, with their paws tucked under their body and their eyes only half-closed – this means they are in a light sleep and still alert. If they stretch out on their side or curl up into a tight ball with their tail around their body, they enter a deeper phase of rest. Cats are real acrobats even during their sleep – and the curious positions in which they can fall asleep are among the most amusing and typical expressions of their nature. These unusual positions are not only adorable, but they also have a meaning – the cat uses them to regulate its heat, protect its organs, or simply find the most comfortable position for its body. Often, a simple rule of thumb applies: the weirder it looks, the more comfortable the cat feels.