Cats are one of the most popular choices for pets all around the world.But often, you might have come across a weird posture of cats where they pose with their backs arched. Are you wondering what this behavior indicates? Let’s find out.Cats are known to be very expressive animals. They are known to convey a lot of their feelings through body language. They are known to stretch in various postures, either to relax or to convey other emotions, such as when they are scared. If you have a cat, you already know this, but this animal is a really flexible animal. It is capable of twisting and curving into different postures, making it confusing to understand. So, what exactly does it mean when cats arch their backs? Is there just one interpretation, or may there be more?Well, there is a lot more to this than just a good stretch! One of the reasons cats are seen arching their backs is because they feel threatened. A cat will often pose with an arched back to present itself as being defensive and ready for a quick brawl. They may also be stretching or simply be playing around with their human companion. Continue reading to learn exactly what goes on in a cat’s mind while arching its back.If you want to know more about the behavior of your feline friend, check out our pages on why cats flick their tails and why cats put their butts in your face.Why do cats arch their back when scared?Visual communication is one of the key ways in which your pet communicates with you. Be it a dog or a cat, body language is used to indicate what they might feel. One of the most peculiar poses observed in people’s feline friends is when a cat arches its back. They might be doing this to be playful or relax, or they might be frightened. Is there something humans should be able to observe from this display? We may have the answer for you!The first possible reason is to scare anything that may seem like a threat to the animal. A cat immediately shifts into this classic Halloween posture. It arches its back upwards and displays piloerection, with its hair standing straight up. This is done in order to make itself look bigger, fearsome, and angry. The truth is that the cat is actually scared but is trying to defend itself by looking aggressive and ready for a fight. Following this, the cat may be seen hissing, growling, or even showing its sharp teeth. This pose is adopted to hide the fear within the cat and instead try to look terrifying.Why do cats arch their backs when being petted?Have you ever wondered if you are doing something wrong while petting your cat when it reacts by arching its back? There may have been instances when you have run your hands down from its head to its end and ruffled its fur. You may have noticed your cat’s back arching slowly. Is this something you should worry about?Well, this is just because your cat is stretching its muscles. It is quite similar to what humans do. With their extra flexibility, they are able to stretch their muscles better, thus feeling more relaxed. Common feline stretching poses include arching the back and the tail-up-and-chest-down stretch. This arched back is a sign of how relieved the cat is in your arms, so do not worry because your feline buddy is actually enjoying your company and treasuring the moment!Are there more interpretations to a cat arching its back?Just like humans, a cat’s actions may have multiple interpretations. Though it is quite often noticed that an arched back is used to indicate a defensive position, there are also other meanings to this action. Let us walk through them and understand the other meanings of this behavior.You can notice a cat with an arched back when it is the cat’s playtime! With a jolly mood, you will observe playful behavior as a cat arches its back. There is no spitting, hissing, or even growling. It may just be a chirpy cat jumping on its paws, trying to indicate its interest to play. So don’t fall back. Instead, join the cat and play a few games!Similar Behaviors: Why do cats walk sideways?Yes, you can add this to the list of peculiar actions done by your cat. Sometimes, you may see your cat bouncing off the walls, sometimes your cat simply bumps its head, or sometimes your cat will rub your skin and knead you. Unpredictability is off the charts for this feline pet, but one of the most confusing cat behavior is when a cat walks sideways?This habit is usually observed when your cat is extremely excited or playful. Whenever it is playtime, your kitten may become all cheerful and want to invite you for a game. So leave what you are doing, and spend some time playing with your pet! Another situation when your cat may be walking sideways is when it is extremely defensive or senses a threat. They resort to running sideways to flee away from the site. You can consider this as a reflex reaction. Walking sideways is also a sign that your cat is trying to avoid something. It may be a wet floor or obstacles in its path. There may also be situations when you try to pick up your moody cat. That is when your little pet will simply resort to walking sideways, making it difficult for you to get hold of it. Another possible reason for walking sideways may be to intimidate whatever is approaching the cat. This may be a larger cat, a dog, or even an unknown human. In such situations, your cat may arch its back, walk sideways and raise its tail, trying to look bigger and more fearsome.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our article on why cats arch their back, then why not take a look at our articles on why cats’ eyes dilate or Balinese cat facts?
Cats are one of the most popular choices for pets all around the world.
