Why Do Cats Raise Their Backs When You Pet Them?

Cats have a way of understanding body language.

They’re quick to detect tension in your body language and respond by adjusting their posture. When they’re ready to stop, they may gently nudge you.

One way you can communicate with your cats is by petting their backs.

So, why do cats raise their backs when you pet them?

Have you ever wondered why cats raise their backs when you pet them? It may seem silly, but it’s an important cat behavior.

Raising their backs is a way for cats to communicate with humans. Cats raise the back as a way to say “stop.”

This lets cats communicate that they’re not in the mood for petting or that they’re feeling threatened.

Raising the back is also a warning signal for cats. Raising the back lets cats communicate that they are about to attack or defend themselves.

Why Do Cats Raise Their Backs When You Pet Them?

Stressed Out

When agitated, cats may lift their back legs higher than normal as a way of displaying their feelings of stress.

They may also stretch their bodies out or hunch over in an effort to look smaller and disappear from view when feeling stressed.

They also do this when they’re trying to get rid of a predator’s scent on their bodies by licking themselves repeatedly or by rubbing against things with their paws.

This could be a response that your cat has learned from you, as people often respond to being stressed out by curling up into a ball or raising their back leg.

Aggressive

Cats acting aggressively towards another cat or human are most often protecting their territory.

When being touched, a cat that has its hackles raised (a sign of aggression) will raise its hind legs higher than usual to brace itself for an attack.

The hackles also help the cat balance itself in preparation for a strike against the aggressor. When other cats are fighting, one may also raise their hackles in anticipation of the attack.

This is usually a warning sign for the other cat to stay away.

A raised hackle can also be a sign of fear, so owners should watch for other signs like hiding and tail tucking before assuming that a cat is aggressive towards humans or other cats.

Feeling Playful

If a cat is being playful, it will raise its hind legs up in the air and then shake them back and forth.

This is a fun way for your cat to brush up against you, rub against you, or even jump up and down on you while tickling you with its paws.

Some owners describe this as “play bowing” while others call it a “meow-bow.”

Stretching

Cats must exercise regularly to stay healthy, just like humans do.

Even when you touch your cat, if it arches its back slightly and stretches out its front legs, it’s telling you that it wants to stretch some more.

What Is an Elevator Butt?

To Initiate Play and Attention

Even though you may already be caressing her, your cat will sometimes put itself into a sitting position in order to invite your loving attentions.

As a Mating Display

The precise word for the elevator butt is lordosis, a Latin word meaning “curving of the lower back.

When in heat, a female cat will exhibit this behavior as a way to attract a male to her.

It’s often accompanied by other behaviors such as licking, purring, rolling over onto her back, etc.

All of which are ways for a female to show her interest in a male cat.

During mating season, many female domestic housecats may “lift” their rear in order to show a male that she’s in heat and ready to mate.

As a Means of Spreading a Cat’s Scent.

The smell glands are located in the cat ’s bottom.

They excrete a strong-smelling substance known as pheromones. These are secreted by the sebaceous glands which are located throughout the skin of the animal’s body.

By lifting up their butts, they can spread these pheromones all around their body as a means of attracting other cats and marking their territory.

If a cat rubs against something with its rear end, it can deposit the pheromones from its own body onto that object as well.

Why Do Some Cats Dislike Having Their Backs Touched?

While some cats like having their back rubbed, others do not.

This does not, however, imply any emotional or psychological problems on the part of the cat – instead it is merely a matter of the cat’s personal preference.

Some cats simply have more sensitive nerve endings than others and do not like having their skin touched any more than is necessary.

The rear of your cat has numerous sensitive nerves that can be affected by certain actions such as being picked up and stroked.

Sensitive cats dislike the “tickled sensation,” which they feel when the skin on their backs is gently stroked.

Last but not least, if your cat has a spinal problem such as spondylosis or intervertebral disc disease, having her back rubbed could be very painful for her and result in an undesirable reaction on your part.

She could also develop skin infections from contact with bacteria on your hands.

Back discomfort from renal problems can also produce unpleasant reactions in cats that owners find hard to handle.

If you think your cat has back discomfort, see your veterinarian for advice before giving your pet a massage.

Conclusion

With all the caressing, patting, and snuggling, it’s easy to forget that kitties need plenty of exercise too! It’s essential to provide your pet with plenty of opportunities to play and exercise every day.

When you touch your cat, she could react by scratching or biting you with her sharp claws and teeth.

Cats have a way of understanding body language.

They’re quick to detect tension in your body language and respond by adjusting their posture. When they’re ready to stop, they may gently nudge you.

One way you can communicate with your cats is by petting their backs.

So, why do cats raise their backs when you pet them?

Have you ever wondered why cats raise their backs when you pet them? It may seem silly, but it’s an important cat behavior.

Raising their backs is a way for cats to communicate with humans. Cats raise the back as a way to say “stop.”

This lets cats communicate that they’re not in the mood for petting or that they’re feeling threatened.

Raising the back is also a warning signal for cats. Raising the back lets cats communicate that they are about to attack or defend themselves.

Why Do Cats Raise Their Backs When You Pet Them?

Stressed Out

When agitated, cats may lift their back legs higher than normal as a way of displaying their feelings of stress.

They may also stretch their bodies out or hunch over in an effort to look smaller and disappear from view when feeling stressed.

They also do this when they’re trying to get rid of a predator’s scent on their bodies by licking themselves repeatedly or by rubbing against things with their paws.

This could be a response that your cat has learned from you, as people often respond to being stressed out by curling up into a ball or raising their back leg.

Aggressive

Cats acting aggressively towards another cat or human are most often protecting their territory.

When being touched, a cat that has its hackles raised (a sign of aggression) will raise its hind legs higher than usual to brace itself for an attack.

The hackles also help the cat balance itself in preparation for a strike against the aggressor. When other cats are fighting, one may also raise their hackles in anticipation of the attack.

This is usually a warning sign for the other cat to stay away.

A raised hackle can also be a sign of fear, so owners should watch for other signs like hiding and tail tucking before assuming that a cat is aggressive towards humans or other cats.

Feeling Playful

If a cat is being playful, it will raise its hind legs up in the air and then shake them back and forth.

This is a fun way for your cat to brush up against you, rub against you, or even jump up and down on you while tickling you with its paws.

Some owners describe this as “play bowing” while others call it a “meow-bow.”

Stretching

Cats must exercise regularly to stay healthy, just like humans do.

Even when you touch your cat, if it arches its back slightly and stretches out its front legs, it’s telling you that it wants to stretch some more.

What Is an Elevator Butt?

To Initiate Play and Attention

Even though you may already be caressing her, your cat will sometimes put itself into a sitting position in order to invite your loving attentions.

As a Mating Display

The precise word for the elevator butt is lordosis, a Latin word meaning “curving of the lower back.

When in heat, a female cat will exhibit this behavior as a way to attract a male to her.

It’s often accompanied by other behaviors such as licking, purring, rolling over onto her back, etc.

All of which are ways for a female to show her interest in a male cat.

During mating season, many female domestic house cats may “lift” their rear in order to show a male that she’s in heat and ready to mate.