Why do cats arch their backs?

You’ve seen the silhouette on Halloween decorations – the scary cat in profile with the arched back and the hair standing on end. But you’ve probably seen you’re favorite feline doing the same thing.

Arching the spine, fluffing the hair on the back and tail, and turning sideways makes a cat appear larger than it really is. When the cat adds some hissing and snarling, a more faint-hearted aggressor will probably go running.

But even if your cat spends all of his time in the protected environment of your home, you’ll still notice that they’ll arch their back when stretching. Why? It could simply feel good, but it might also be instinctual, so that they’ll be able to warn off a future threat if they’re ever backed into a corner!

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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