We have all at one time seen our cats standing on their hind legs. It is an unusual and endearing sight that makes your feline look like a meerkat and you may be left wondering why your cat is doing this.
Cats stand on their hide legs as a survival tactic to look intimidating and bigger and ward off threatening animals. Other reasons your cat may be standing on its hind legs include natural curiosity, to get attention, excitement, and to reach for food and treats.
Cats exhibit certain behaviors that people find amusing, unexplainable, and baffling. At times, it feels like our fur babies do something weird just to sit back and watch us scratch our heads wondering what is going on. Standing on their hind legs may just be one of those baffling things that cats do.
Why do our cats insist on carrying out this curious behavior and is there an explanation behind it? And what is really going on in their brain as they stand on their hind legs? Let us dig in and learn more about why cats stand on their hind legs.
Why cats stand on their hind legs
Below are some of the reasons that cats stand on their hind legs, therefore, by the end of this article you should have a good idea of why your feline acts in such a manner.
It is a survival tactic
One of the reasons that cats stand on their hind legs is to scare predators away. When cats feel threatened, they try to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating. Standing on the hind legs is part of a survival tactic, and you may see your cat moving sideways to make itself look even larger. Therefore, your cat will stand on its hind legs if there is something it perceives as dangerous nearby and is feeling threatened.
Due to natural curiosity
Cats may stand on their hind legs to satisfy their curiosity. They could be propping themselves up simply to get a closer look at something that has caught their attention. Cats are extremely curious and always want to know what is going on, and if they feel that getting a higher viewpoint will help them see what is going on better, then they will stand on their hind legs. Even though standing will not help your cat understand what it is seeing, it may just feel like the most natural thing to do to satisfy its curiosity.
To get attention
Another reason why cats stand on their hind legs is to get attention. Some cats are needier than others, and they engage in all sorts of odd habits when attempting to get their owner’s attention. Your cat might have tried getting your attention by rubbing against your legs and meowing with no luck and resorts to standing on its hind legs so you can see it.
Additionally, cats love being petted, and standing on their hind legs may simply be a way of asking for a petting. You will definitely want to give in every time, as this will help strengthen the bond you have with your fur baby, and it will trust you more.
Due to excitement
Cats may also stand on their hind legs when overly excited or when playing. Your cat could be chasing another cat around the house or throwing a toy around. It is normal for it to stop, stand on its hind legs and throw its paws in the air before continuing to play.
Additionally, you may notice that your cat stands on its hind legs when you come back home. That could be because it is excited you are back and is happy to see you. You should take this as a big compliment as it is a sign that your cat has nothing but positive feelings about you.
To reach for food and treats
Cats also stand on their hind legs to try and get food and treats placed on shelves, or they see in your hands. If your cat is well-fed, it is important that you do not oblige to this behavior because it will encourage them to keep begging for food. However, if your cat is trying to reach for food because it is hungry, feed it with appropriate cat food.
How to teach cats to stand on their hind legs
If you want to teach your feline to stand on its hind legs, follow the following steps:
Steps |
What to do |
Get your cat’s attention |
Attract your cat’s attention using a treat |
Encourage Standing |
Hold the treat near its nose and raise it to encourage the cat to rise on its hind legs |
Reward your cat |
When the cat stands on the back legs, reward it.
Practice the trick over the coming days until the cats does it on command. |
Is it unsafe for cats to stand on their hind legs?
Standing on the hind legs for a brief moment is okay for cats and will not cause any harm. However, if your cat stands on the hind legs for too long or regularly, then it will place more stress on its hips and could result in pelvic pain. For this reason, cat parents should not encourage this endearing habit often.
When should you be concerned about your cat standing on its hind legs?
If your cat does not stand on the hind legs and suddenly begins to do so, check to see if the change in posture is accompanied by other signs of illnesses. Some symptoms you can look out for include diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargic behavior. If this is the case, get them to your vet immediately. Standing on the hind legs suddenly could be a result of a neurological issue, but this is unlikely.
You should keep in mind that cats standing on their hind legs is not a cause for alarm. However, it is important to keep this option in mind to rule out any medical issues.
Conclusion
There are different reasons why cats stand on their hind legs. It is easy to know if your cat is doing it because they are excited, curious, want attention or because they are feeling threatened. Watch what the cat is doing when standing and it will give you hints as to why it is doing it. It is important to note that cats do not stand on their hind legs for long or often, so do not expect to see this behavior frequently.
FAQs
Should I be concerned if my cat stands on its hind legs?
Standing on the hind legs is not a cause for concern. However, if it is a sudden change in posture and is accompanied by signs of illness, you should visit the vet.
My cat stands on its hind legs frequently, is it okay?
Consult your vet if your cat stands for too long on its hind legs to ensure it does not suffer from hip or pelvic pain.