What are the reasons why a cat raises its back?

A cat raising its back may be due to reasons such as waking up, being startled, being very angry, or abdominal pain. If the cat only exhibits this behavior when it wakes up and there are no other abnormalities, it is likely just stretching or yawning, which is a normal physiological behavior. However, if the cat shows this behavior at other times along with behaviors like fluffing up its fur or showing its teeth, it may be due to being startled or very angry. In this case, it is recommended that the owner stay away from the cat. Additionally, if the cat also shows symptoms like low spirits, loss of appetite, etc., it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.

Just woke up, stretching

Cats spend a long time sleeping, and maintaining one position for an extended period can make them feel tired. Therefore, when they wake up, they may arch their backs, stretch, and flex their muscles to feel comfortable, which is a normal physiological behavior.

Being startled

If a cat suddenly raises its back, it may be due to being startled or feeling tense and scared. At this time, the cat usually fluffs up its fur to appear bigger and threaten the source of its fear. If the owner notices this behavior, it's best to wait for the cat's emotions to stabilize before comforting it to avoid causing a stress response.

Very angry

If a cat raises its back while showing behaviors like fluffing up its fur, growling, and hissing, it means the cat is very angry. In this case, the owner should avoid approaching the cat and stay as far away as possible to avoid being scratched or bitten.

Abdominal pain

If a cat frequently raises its back, it may be due to abdominal pain. The owner should pay attention to whether there are any other abnormalities in the cat's body, such as low spirits, loss of appetite, etc. If so, it's time to take the cat to the pet hospital for an ultrasound examination and treat it according to the examination results.