As a concerned cat parent, you must constantly wonder about the new behaviours of your fur baby. For example, thumping its legs against the wall may seem weird, especially if you don’t know what it means.
So, why do cats thump their back legs against the wall? Fortunately for you, it’s a pretty typical behavior for cats. But not without reason.
This article will venture into those possible reasons for you to identify what your cat’s telling you. I have also discussed what you can do to ensure your cat’s safety.
Why Do Cats Thump Their Back Legs Against The Wall? Things You Can Do!
Cats thump their back legs against the wall mostly because they are trying to play or fight with other pets. It also thumps when something like debris or splinter is stuck on its paws. Your cat might also do this to relax the leg from a sprain or if fleas attack it.
Now that we know why your cat is acting this way, let’s see what you need to do.
Reason 1: Being Playful
Cats thumping their hind legs doesn’t necessarily indicate something is wrong with them. The most common reason behind your cat doing this behaviour is that it’s just being playful.
Notice if your cat is showing its other usual traits when it plays to ensure this is the cause behind thumping. For example, it will frequently twitch its tail’s end or have a slightly forward and curious face.
Many cat owners find this behaviour to be cute. However, some can get concerned with continuous thumping.
Solution
If you don’t like your cat’s strange behaviour, change its play habit. Buy your cat a new toy to divert attention, and it may forget about the thumping. For example, a plush Snoopy toy can be an excellent diversion for your cat.
Reason 2: Sign of Aggression
As animal behaviourists states, another common reason for your cat thumping its back leg can be a sign of aggression. Do you have other pets, including cats and dogs, in your house?
If you do, perhaps your cat is showing dominance over its opponent by thumping against the wall to establish its territory.
Moreover, cats often play with their imagination. So, it could be imagining hunting its prey or wrestling with it by thumping its leg against the wall.
You will understand if the thumping results from aggression when your cat keeps making a hissing noise.
Solution
If your pets are having trouble getting along, here’s what to do.
- Give them identical but separate resources, including food bowls, toys, and litter boxes, so they don’t have to show aggressiveness to win over their possessions.
- If you notice them fighting, distract them and put effort into creating a bond between them.
- Give equal attention to all of your four-legged friends so that none of them feels left alone.
If you do so, your cat may not need to show aggressiveness anymore and stop thumping its leg on the wall.
If no other pets are in your house, divert your kitty with some exercise. So, it will get distracted and grow out of the imaginary preying habit.
Reason 3: Something Stuck on The Paws
Sometimes these naughty fur balls stick something on their legs while playing, including litter or a splinter. And then they kick walls with their legs to get rid of it. In this case, the thumpings will be more frequent.
Solution
Check if there’s something on your cat’s paws. If there is any litter or debris, clean it with soap and water.
Look closely for any splinter stuck on the paw. Carefully take it out with a tweezer, then wash the foot with water and soap.
Reason 4: Sprained Their Legs
Spraining legs is common in cats when they get carried away while playing with their favourite toy. Then they start kicking their legs to make the pain go away. If its; legs are sprained, it will closely tuck its tail towards its body.
Solution
Your cat will solve mild sprains by itself by thumping. But if you feel the thumping is going on for a long time and the foot is swelling, consult a vet and take advice.
Reason 5: Flea Attack On The Leg
A flea attack can be discomforting for your beloved cat. So cats start thumping their legs on the wall to get rid of the itching caused by it. If this is the reason behind thumping, you will notice your cat is trying to itch its legs too.
Solution
You have to remove the fleas with proper care. But it’s easy to do with a simple home remedy. Here’s how you can do it.
- Mix 2 cups of water and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar together.
- Take the mixture in a spray bottle.
- Spray the water in your cat’s fur and keep it for a day before bathing it.
- Use a metal flea comb to comb all the dead fleas out gently.
This should stop your cat’s back feet thumping behaviour.
Why Do Cats Thump Their Back Legs In General?
Sometimes, your cat doesn’t necessarily use a wall to thump their legs. But they still thump their back legs while doing other activities.
Cat Kicking Back Legs While Walking
Your cat kicking its hind legs while walking is a sign that it loves you and trying to greet or complement its human. Kudos to you for achieving this.
If you have other pets, your cat can thump their legs to greet them. Moreover, when they are happy, they express it by thumping their legs while walking.
Cat Kicking Back Legs While Kneading
Katy Nelson, DVM, says that cats usually knead while masturbating or just stretching a little bit. In both cases, kicking the back leg is expected as they can get leg spasms. So that’s why they kick the back leg to loosen it up while kneading.
Cat Kicking Back Legs While Sleeping
When the cat takes a nap or is in light sleep, it can still hear noises around it, and some may seem like threats to it. And it goes in the defense mood by kicking imaginary threats with its back leg.
A cat can kick its leg in its deep sleep as well. There are two reasons behind it. First, it might be dreaming about preying on or defending itself from more significant threats. Or, your cat might have a spasm in the leg, and it is trying to stretch and relax his leg by kicking it.
Cat Kicking Back Legs While Petting
Have you experienced a bunny kick from your cat? Bunny kicking is a behaviour your cat does where it holds something with its front legs lying on its back and kicks you with its back legs. It can be playful behaviour.
However, sometimes, the cat can kick you like that with force, especially when it gets a belly rub from you. It can even bite your hand too. So, you may wonder, why does my cat kick me with his back legs when I pet him?
Kicking is a kind of self-defense move. For example, when you pet your cat where it doesn’t like to be touched, especially on the abdomen, tail, or legs, it kicks you with the back leg. That means the cat is trying to stop you. These kicks will be more aggressive than the playful ones.
Avoid touching your cat in these body parts; instead, pet where your cat likes to be petted. For instance, its head, chin, and cheek areas.
When is Back Leg Thumping A Problem?
From our discussion, it is clear that the back leg thumping isn’t a severe issue; it’s a natural behaviour of cats. However, it can be concerning if you notice other changes in your cat along with the thumping. Here’s what you have to see.
Facial Expression
When your cat suddenly starts kicking its leg, notice changes in its facial expression. You will have to understand by its face if it has any pain or fear. You might notice their watery and restless eyes. Or, your cat may purr slowly with a painful expression.
Shaky Legs
Notice if the leg is shaking while your cat thumps with the back leg. Vets suggest that shaky legs can indicate any disease like arthritis, seizure, or food poisoning.
The cat may be trying to ease its discomfort by kicking its legs or trying to grab your attention.
There can be other concerning changes with the new thumping habit on your cat. For example, lethargicness and lack of appetite. If you notice these changes, consult a vet immediately and get your cat checked up.
FAQs
Why Does My Cat Cuddle Then Bite Me?
Cats are moody pets. They like your attention and want to play with you. But, after a while, they get bored and don’t like you to touch or cuddle them. So, they cuddle when they want to play with you. And bite when they are done with you so that you leave them alone.
Why Do Cats Ignore You When You’ve Been Away?
Your cats ignore you because they habitually leave you alone while you are away. Cats don’t like to change their practices. So, they would still want their alone time when you are back.
Why Does My Cat Touch My Face With Her Paw?
Your cat is touching your face because it is seeking your attention. Your cat does it when it’s hungry and wants food. Also, it’s one of their ways of showing affection toward you.
Conclusion
Now you know why do cats thump their back legs against the wall. It’s always good to be cautious about any new changes. As you never know what might cause your cat discomfort.
If there are other changes with the thumping, you must consult a veterinarian. That’s all for now. Take care of your furry friend, and have a good day!
Also Read: How to keep Slugs Away From Cat Food? 9 Effective Methods!
