Why Does My Cat Roll in the Dirt? An Answer Once and for All!

Cat Rolling in the Dirt

Anyone who owns a cat knows that no one can really own a cat. These balls of fluff have a mind of their own, and they don’t care whether you approve of it or not. However, some actions are concerning, thereby demanding your attention.

Rolling in the dirt is one of those. Your cat suddenly rolls on its back and starts bathing in the dirt? Is she in pain? Is she trying to tell you something? The answer could be both or neither!

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Why Does My Cat Roll in the Dirt?

There are a lot of reasons why your cat may be rolling in the dirt. The most common reason is communication, although that’s not always the case. Your cat may be trying to tell you something, or it may be inviting you to rub its belly.

Pets usually roll on their back so that their owner could rub their belly. Your cat is probably doing the same but on dirt! If you notice she’s twitching her tail, then it’s a sign your cat wants to take a nap. If you’ve been raising the cat for a long time, you’ll already be familiar with her body language, so you’ll be able to know what she wants.

If you rub the cat’s belly, but she’s still rolling in the dirt, ditch the communication thought. Your cat is likely trying to cool her body down or scratch. Freshly dug soil is moist, and cats love the cool feeling on their backs. If the weather is particularly hot, your cat may be rolling her body in the dirt to cool off.

As for scratching, anyone who raises a cat knows they live for scratching. If you don’t have a scratching pole, there’s a high chance your furniture is suffering. When your cat rolls down in the dirt, it may be because she wants to scratch her body against something.

But bear in mind that this action implies the cat feels itchy, which may be a result of parasites. Cats can’t express their opinions, so they’ll resort to weird ways to get their message across or relieve the itch themselves. Rolling in the dirt could be one of those ways.

So, if your cat does that, examine her coat for a pest infection or red patches. If you find any, it’s time to visit the vet.

6 Things Your Cat May Be Trying to Tell You by Rolling in Dirt

While the previously mentioned reasons are pretty common, the cat may be rolling in the dirt for other reasons. Here are some things your cat may be trying to tell you by the odd action.

She Feels Safe

Cats are wary creatures. They don’t expose themselves to vulnerable positions unless they’re 100% sure they’re safe and secure. So, when your cat rolls in the dirt on her back, she may be trying to tell you that she feels safe.

Cats roll on their backs when they’re most relaxed. So, the action you’re worried about is most probably a good sign. It means your cat trusts you and the surrounding environment enough to roll over.

She Wants Your Attention

If your cat’s action is repeated, then she’s probably asking for attention. For example, if she rolls around in the dirt every time you go out, or at a given time every day, then it’s simply seeking attention. That’s especially if she chooses to do so right at your feet.

Even if the cat does it out of nowhere, but there’s nothing wrong with her, she may be aiming at a belly rub. Or, if you’re at a park or a supposedly ‘fun’ place, she may want to play around with you.

She’s Marking her Territory

By rolling in the dirt, the cat is spreading her scent, which is another way of marking her territory. Cats communicate by smells; as a result, they try to spread their scents on anything they own, yourself included.

They have scent glands in a lot of places in their bodies, including flanks, cheeks, and paws. So, if your cat is rubbing her cheeks in the dirt, she’s most probably marking the area as hers. She may do the same to your feet.

Why do cats do this? The answer is simple; they’re sending a message to other cats to stay away because this spot is claimed. It’s a way of keeping their enemies far away.

Bear in mind that cats usually do this in areas they’re familiar with, such as your garden or backyard. If your cat is rolling in the dirt in a random park, marking territory is probably not the reason.

She’s in Heat

Female cats like to roll on the ground a lot when they’re in heat, especially if they’re around old male cats. On some occasions, even if they’re a few, the cats will roll on their backs in front of younger male cats as well.

As for male cats, they, too, roll on the ground when there are older males around.

If your female cat is rubbing herself while rolling around, then she could be in heat. Cats tend to do that to spread their pheromones around, thereby attracting any mates nearby. If your cat is in the mating season, it’s better to stay away from areas where she could try to attract mates.

She’s on Catnip

All cat owners are probably familiar with catnip’s effects on cats. Despite that it’s known for its intoxicating effects, it’s used for a lot of medical purposes. So, if your cat recently ingested catnip or played with a catnip toy, she may be rolling in the dirt as a direct effect of that.

It could be ecstasy or just feeling ‘high.’ The cat’s actions will also be probably accompanied by body rubbing, licking random things, and more sniffing than usual.

She’s Taking Care of her Digestive System

Not a lot of cat owners would be familiar with that, but cats can sometimes roll in the dirt as a way of caring for their digestive systems. It’s a bit of a wicked process, but cats are known for their twisted ways!

When rolling in the dirt, the soil’s bacteria gets stuck to the cat’s coat. When the cats lick themselves later on for grooming purposes, these bacteria end up in their body, which is a good thing.

Good soil bacteria improves the gastrointestinal tracts and keeps them healthy. Plus, it helps the cat digest better. So, when you notice the cat rolling in the dirt, just leave her be.

What Should I Do When My Cat Rolls in the Dirt?

Bathing in the dirt is a common action for animals. It’s not exclusive to cats; rabbits, birds, and chinchillas also do it. On top of that, some horses enjoy rolling in the dirt or snow in spite of their large bodies. What I’m trying to say is, cats rolling in the dirt is completely normal. Most of the time, you don’t need to do anything about it.

Cats roll in the dirt because they’re marking their territory, saying they’re happy, or seeking attention. The most you could do in these cases is give your cat a belly rub.

In other cases, when the reasons are medical, you can visit the vet. You’ll know there’s an infection that’s causing it because the cat will show distress signs when rolling around.

Final Thoughts

Understanding cats’ behavior is vital for raising them. That way, you can differentiate between what’s normal and what demands your attention. In the case of rolling in the dirt, it’s completely normal. Even if the cause is a pest infection, it’s easy to cure and take care of.