Dustin the tabby cat curled into a ball sleeping in a woven basket with a plaid bow tie

POV: Why Do I Always Sleep Like This — Dustin the Cat

POV: Why do I always sleep like this — if you have a tabby cat, you already know. Dustin does this every single time. Doesn’t matter if it’s a basket on the kitchen table, the arm of the couch, or a little tray on a chair with a bow tie on. He finds his spot, curls into a perfect little ball, tucks his nose right down to his paws, and that is simply that. Steph says he always does this, and honestly, at this point it’s his whole personality.

There is actually a reason cats do this. According to PetMD, curling into a tight ball is one of the most instinctive sleeping positions for cats. It helps them conserve body heat, protect their vital organs, and feel safe — even in a home where nothing is going to hurt them. Wild cats developed this habit as a survival mechanism, and our fully domesticated, basket-obsessed house cats carry it right along with them. So when Dustin does this, he is not being dramatic. He is being ancient.

What makes it especially funny is that Dustin does not need the basket. There are soft surfaces everywhere in this house. There are actual cat beds. And yet — basket. Always the basket. Or the couch arm. Or whatever spot is just barely large enough for a cat to curl into. We have documented this extensively at this point, and he has never once looked embarrassed about it.

He also has the bow tie phase, which is a separate and equally important topic. If you watched the video and noticed the little plaid bow tie sitting perfectly on his back — that is just Dustin being Dustin. He tolerates it completely. He does not move. He does not protest. He curls into his ball and wears the bow tie and that is the level of dignity this cat operates at.

We are a family of seven, which means this house is loud and busy and there is almost always something happening. And Dustin just… curls up in his little ball and sleeps right through it. No stress, no chaos, just a perfect circle of striped tabby cat, completely unbothered. Honestly, there are days I want to be just like him.

If you want more Dustin content — and honestly, why wouldn’t you — check out POV: Dustin Has Two Modes — Sweet Angel and Complete Chaos. It covers the full range of who he is as a person.

📬 Want to have breakfast with me on Saturday mornings? I write a weekly newsletter and I would love to save you a seat. Sign up here and I’ll see you at the table.

POV: Why do I always sleep like this — About the Longstreth Family

Stephanie Longstreth is the heart behind Stephanie Cooks For A Crowd — a food and family lifestyle brand built around feeding people well and living life loudly. She and Jason are raising five kids in Florida, two cats, and a sourdough starter named Pearl. The cats are Dustin and Eddie. They are both extremely opinionated about where they sleep. Follow along on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram for more food, family, and cat content.

More from the Longstreth Family

If you love the chaos and coziness of life around here, here are a few more posts you’ll enjoy:

Dustin the tabby cat curled into a ball sleeping in a woven basket with a plaid bow tie

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply