Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Do Cats Walk? (The Precise Method)

Written by: Elizabeth Gray

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

cat walking

How Do Cats Walk? (The Precise Method)

Any cat owner whose ankles have fallen victim to a sneak attack from a playful kitty knows that sometimes you can’t hear them coming! But have you ever wondered precisely how cats walk and how they are so stealthy about it? If so, this article is for you!

Keep reading to learn the surprising details of how cats walk and how their unique gait contributes to making them the perfect predators. We’ll also cover some of the problems that impact how cats walk and what medical conditions they could represent.

divider-catclaw1 The Mechanics of How Cats Walk

Here’s the first detail of how cats walk that you may find surprising: Cats actually walk on their toes. Learning that cats are constantly tiptoeing may help you understand how they move so quietly. Humans generally use their entire feet to walk but shift to stepping on their toes whenever they need to be quieter.

Typically, cats move the front and back legs on each side together when walking. Each paw hits the ground at a different point in the stride, which is known as a four-beat gait. Most of the cat’s weight is centered on the front paws while walking.

a gray stray cat is walking along the sidewalk
Image Credit: Gansstock, Shutterstock

How Cats Sneak Up on Prey (or You!)

In the wild, cats need to walk silently as they stalk prey or try to avoid predators (often humans). Besides walking on their toes, keeping their bodies low to the ground, and the four-beat gait, cats use another method called direct register to move quietly.

An animal who walks by direct registering places the hind paws in the same spot that the front paws just landed. If your cat walks across sand or leaves behind muddy footprints on your floor, you’ll be able to observe this pattern of movement firsthand. By limiting the amount of weight that touches the ground, the cat reduces the noise they make when walking.

Direct registering allows the cat to walk silently while providing a stable foundation for movement. The cat is prepared to react and run swiftly in any direction, if necessary. However, this type of stealthy walking uses a lot of energy compared to other gaits, so the cat only uses it on specific occasions, such as stalking prey.

3 cat divider

When Cats Have Trouble Walking

As you can see, the cat’s walk is adapted perfectly to its unique needs as an athletic predator. But what if something goes wrong? Here are some problems you may notice with your cat’s walk and what they could indicate.

Limping

Limping or lameness is one of the most common problems you might notice with your cat’s walk. A limping cat doesn’t place the normal amount of weight on a painful leg, resulting in a choppy gait, much different than their usual smooth walk. Cats may limp for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Paw injury
  • Torn ligaments
  • Bone tumor
  • Sprain or strained muscles
  • Broken bone
  • Arthritis
  • Blood clot

If you notice your cat limping, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Sometimes, your cat may indicate limb pain by more subtle signs, such as reluctance to jump, climb, or run. They might also excessively lick the painful leg.

Veterinarian holding cute scottish straight cat with bandage
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

Ataxia

Ataxia can be most easily described as “drunk walking.” The cat may be unsteady on their feet, drag their toes on the ground, or lift their paws abnormally high when walking. Ataxia can signify a brain or spinal cord issue or an inner ear issue that disturbs the cat’s balance.

See a veterinarian if your cat shows signs of ataxia as soon as possible. Spinal problems, in particular, should be treated quickly for the best results.

Dragging Hind Legs

If your cat can’t walk on their hind legs, you could be dealing with a back issue, such as disk disease or a tumor. Cats can also suffer from a sudden, excruciating condition called a saddle thrombus. In this scary situation, a clot forms in the cat’s heart, breaks off into the aorta (the largest blood vessel in the body), and gets stuck at the spot where the aorta splits to enter each hind leg.

Because the clot blocks the blood supply to the cat’s hind legs, they can’t move them. You may also notice that the limb feels cold to the touch, and your cat may vocalize loudly from pain. Any time your cat can’t use their hind legs, consider it an emergency and get to the vet immediately.

divider-catclaw1 Conclusion

While walking may not seem as impressive as some of the cat’s other physical abilities, such as landing on their feet almost every time they fall, it’s still pretty amazing when you learn how they do it. Domestic cats may not rely on their physical adaptations to survive like their wild cousins, but they still possess them. If something goes wrong with their ability to walk, your cat may try to hide it from you, so keep an eye out for the signs we discussed earlier.


Featured Image Credit: wilkernet, Pixabay

Get Catster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Catster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.