Do you ever see your cat walking with its back legs kicking out behind them? It’s an odd sight, but is it normal? Many people have asked this question – and the answer is both yes and no.
Cats can kick their back legs while walking for a variety of reasons. Some are harmless, while others could be signs of injury or illness. So it’s important to pay attention to your cat’s behavior.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss why cats kick their back legs while walking and what you should do if your cat exhibits this behavior. We’ll also address when a trip to the vet is really needed. Read on to find out why your cat is kicking its back legs – and what you should do about it.
Why Do Cats Kick Their Back Legs While Walking?
Have you ever seen your beloved cat kicking their back legs while walking? It may look strange, but this behavior is quite normal for cats. In fact, it serves a variety of purposes that help cats connect with their environment and express themselves.
For starters, cats have scent glands in their paws, which they use to mark their territory. This instinctual behavior is particularly useful for cats in the wild who need to warn other animals that they are not safe. Domestic cats may still exhibit this behavior, particularly if they come across a new object or area in their house.
In addition, cats can also kick their back legs while walking as a way to release pent-up energy or rage. Cats are natural hunters and require an outlet for all the toxins. If they don’t have the opportunity to hunt or play, they may be able to release it through this behavior. Similarly, if a cat is ill or anxious, they may display this behaviour as a coping mechanism.
However, if your cat is kicking their back legs excessively or seems to be in pain, it could indicate an underlying health condition. Due to arthritis, injury, or nerve damage, cats may experience back leg pain or discomfort. In some cases, leg jerking or shaking may be a symptom of a neurological disorder. If you’re worried about your cat’s behaviour, it’s always best to speak with a veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
So there you have it: back leg kicking while walking can be perfectly normal for cats but can also indicate an underlying medical condition.
Marking Territory
This seemingly strange behavior is actually a normal instinct for cats, as it helps them to mark their territory and establish dominance. Cats have scent glands in their paws that they use to leave their scent on surfaces they walk on, and kicking back legs is one way to do this.
This behavior is essential for cats in the wild, as it helps them define their boundaries and protect themselves from predators.
Domestic cats may also exhibit this instinctive behavior, especially when they encounter a new object or area in their house. In addition to marking territory, cats can even kick their back legs to release pent-up energy or frustration.
As natural hunters, cats need an outlet for their energy, so if they don’t have the opportunity to hunt or play, they may resort to this activity as a way to get some of the energy out.
However, if your cat is kicking their back legs excessively or appears to be in pain, it could be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Cats can suffer from leg pain due to arthritis, injury, or nerve damage. In some cases, jerking or shaking of the legs may be a symptom of a neurological disorder.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s behaviour, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian right away so they can rule out any health issues and ensure your pet’s wellbeing.
Releasing Energy and Frustration
This is a normal behavior for cats and can often be attributed to their natural instincts and energy levels. Cats have scent glands on their paws which they use to mark their territory, and kicking their back legs is one way they release that scent.
Cats are also natural hunters, so if they don’t have enough opportunities to hunt or play, they may resort to kicking their back legs as a way to burn off some of that pent-up energy. Similarly, if a cat is feeling frustrated or stressed due to another animal in the household, it may be a coping mechanism.
However, if your cat is kicking excessively or seems to be in pain, it could indicate an underlying health condition. Because of arthritis, injury or nerve damage, cats can suffer from back leg pain or discomfort.
In some instances, leg jerking or shaking may be a sign of a neurological disorder. If you are concerned about your cat’s behavior, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
Health Issues That Could Cause Kicking or Shaking of the Legs
Is your cat kicking or shaking their back legs while walking? While this behavior may seem strange, it is actually a normal cat behavior that can be caused by a variety of factors.
However, if your cat is exhibiting this behavior excessively or in pain, it could be an indication of an underlying health issue.
Various health conditions can cause pain or discomfort in cats, resulting in leg kicking or shaking. The most common causes are arthritis, nerve damage, seizures, parasitic infections, tumors and plant/chemical toxicity.
Arthritis causes painful joints and makes it difficult for cats to walk and run properly. Nerve damage from a fall or car crash can result in muscle weakness or twitching. Seizures are neurological disorders that can cause involuntary muscle movements such as kicking or shaking of the legs. Parasitic infections can cause discomfort and lead to leg kicking behavior.
Tumors can press against nerves and result in pain and discomfort that leads to leg kicking behavior. Finally, certain plants and chemicals can be toxic to cats and cause nerve damage that leads to leg kicking behavior.
It’s important to have your cat regularly checked by a veterinarian to detect any underlying health conditions that may be causing them discomfort and causing them to kick their back legs while walking.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition in cats, especially as they age. It occurs when the cartilage in the joints wears down, resulting in pain, inflammation and stiffness in the affected joint. If your cat is exhibiting signs of arthritis such as limping or kicking their back legs while walking, it’s essential to take them to a vet for a proper diagnosis.
The vet may prescribe pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs or joint supplements to help manage the symptoms of arthritis. In addition, providing your cat with a warm and comfortable bed can make a huge difference in their comfort and mobility.
It’s important to note that kicking back legs while walking is not always an indication of arthritis, but it can be an indication of pain and discomfort caused by the condition.
Therefore, if you suspect that your cat may be suffering from arthritis, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Injury
Cats are incredibly resilient animals, and they can often surprise us with their strength and tenacity. However, if your cat starts kicking its back legs while walking, it could be a sign of injury. Injury is one of the possible causes for this behavior, as it can be triggered by pain or discomfort.
If you suspect that your cat has been injured, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible.
The vet will be able to perform a thorough examination to determine the extent of the injury and provide appropriate treatment. In some cases, the cat may need to be immobilized or even undergo surgery to correct the problem.
It’s also worth noting that cats are incredibly resilient animals, and they may continue to move around even if they are injured. This can be dangerous as it can exacerbate the injury and lead to further complications.
If you notice your cat kicking its back legs and you suspect that it may have been injured, it is essential to keep a close eye on their activity level and limit their physical activity until they can receive proper medical attention.
Nerve Damage
Although this is a normal behaviour, it can also be an indication of nerve damage. Nerve damage in cats can be caused by trauma or injury, such as being hit by a car or falling from a height, as well as neurological diseases like spinal cord injuries.
If your cat is exhibiting signs of nerve damage, it is essential to seek veterinary care immediately. Other symptoms may include weakness or partial paralysis in the hind legs and loss of bladder and bowel control. Delaying treatment may lead to further complications and permanent damage.
Treatment for nerve damage in cats will vary depending on the severity of the injury, but may include medication, physical therapy, or surgery. The primary goal of treatment is usually to restore the function of the affected nerves and reduce pain and discomfort.
It is also important to take preventive measures to protect your cat from getting injured in the first place.
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Neurological Disorders
If your cat is exhibiting excessive back leg kicking while walking, it could be a sign of an underlying neurological disorder. Neurological disorders in cats are a group of conditions that affect the nervous system, causing deficits in coordination, movement, and muscle strength.
One such disorder is cerebellar hypoplasia, which occurs when the cerebellum—the part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance—has not fully developed.
This can happen when kittens are exposed to certain viruses or toxins while still in the womb or during early development. Cats with this disorder may experience tremors, uncoordinated movements, difficulty walking or jumping, or even back leg kicking.
However, there are other neurological issues that cats may have as well. Seizures, spinal cord injury, vestibular disease, and aging-related cognitive decline can all lead to neurological disorders in cats. If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior or movements, it is essential to seek veterinary attention immediately.
A veterinarian can perform diagnostic tests to diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Also Read: Why Did My Cat Pee On Me? – 21Cats.org
Conclusion
In conclusion, cats kicking their back legs while walking is a normal behavior. It’s instinctive and helps them to build stamina.
However, if your cat is doing it excessively or seems to be in pain, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition such as arthritis, fracture, nerve damage, or a neurological disorder.
If you notice something unusual in your cat’s behavior, it’s best to take them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
