Why do cats backs twitch when you pet them?
The reason cat’s back twitch when you pet them is because your cat’s back has a sensitive layer of muscle (the Cutaneus trunci muscle) which is located directly under the skin of the back.
The Cutaneus muscle has the tendencies of involuntary, reflexive movement, meaning it can move on its own naturally.
A human example of this is when you are at the doctor’s and he hits the bottom part of your knee and it shoots forward automatically.
Sometimes, even touching the very edge of your cat’s hair can trigger their back to twitch.
Aside from the touch of you petting its back, the Cutaneus muscle can also be triggered by your cat’s mood or temperament.
For example, if your cat is suddenly frightened, the muscle might be triggered. Your cat’s back might also start twitching when it gets excited.
For example, his/her back might start twitching if it sees a treat or a bowl of food. Sometimes, certain portions of the Cutaneus muscle are more sensitive than others.
If you simply just poke the sensitive portion, it could trigger the whole muscle to twitch. This is similar to when you are rubbing a dog’s belly and his/her leg starts kicking automatically.
Feline hyperesthesia
The worst-case scenario is that you cat is twitching because it has feline hyperesthesia. Feline Hyperesthesia occurs when your cat’s muscles and sense of touch because hypersensitive.
This causes twitching episodes that can last anywhere from a couple seconds to a couple minutes. While hyperesthesia is not fatal, you should certainly visit a vet if your cat is regularly experiencing twitching episodes.
A quick fix is to use a cat calmer like the Feliway Calming Pheromone Diffuser.
The main way you can tell the difference between regular twitching and feline hyperesthesia is what causes the twitching. If your cat only starts twitching when you touch him/her, it is normal.
However, if your cat starts twitching constantly without being touched or startled, it may be feline hyperesthesia.
Why do cats twitch?
While there is no definite answer to this question, it is certainly an evolutionary trait that somehow allowed cats to survive in the wild.
Some cat behaviorists believe that cat twitching is a natural tendency that is used to remove dirt or parasites/mosquitoes. This is the same reason why cats roll around on concrete.
Others believe that cat twitching is a tool used by cats to communicate through body language.
